With This Ring (1) by Savannah Leigh Read Free Book Online Page A

devastated, but I try to
hide my worries about our finances by giving her a small smile.
    “No dice, huh?”
    “She said she’ll
just print her own.”
    “Of course she
did.” Dammit!
    Sierra grabs her
bag and makes a beeline for the door. “I’m headed to the Donaldson
consultation, so that’s one bright spot in our otherwise shitty day. And don’t
forget, I’m handling tonight’s rehearsal.”
    I don’t even
bother to hide my panic. “Are you sure you want to tackle it alone? Kellie can
be—”
    “A lot to
handle, I know. I can do this, Lily. I keep begging you to give me more
responsibility. I won’t let you down. Go home and rest up. I’ll need you
tomorrow.” 
    And with that,
she is out the door, not giving me a chance to argue.
    Tonight’s the
rehearsal for the Alexander wedding at the Catholic Church on Fifth. The
wedding of Kellie Alexander and high-powered attorney, Nicholas Price, is an
upscale event with an upscale guest list to match. It’s an incredible
opportunity for our business to attract some attention, and for Sierra and me
to network with some of the area’s elite. Needless to say, this wedding is a
big deal. It could literally mean life and death for our business. But Sierra’s
right. She’s my business partner, and I need to let her handle some things on
her own, even if it scares the shit out of me.
    I mentally wish
her luck and say a prayer. With a sigh, I look around my beloved shop. I opened
Wedding Dreams eight years ago with the hope of making every bride’s fairy tale
wedding come true. This business is my life’s blood, and I will stop at nothing
to keep it open. But I’m also a businesswoman, and need to be realistic. Things
are not going well and haven’t been for a while now. I have to figure out a way
to make it all work.
    I sit back down
at my laptop and try to get things organized for tomorrow’s big event. After a
few hours, I need to stretch my back, so I get up and walk around the shop. I
look at the beautiful display of invitations, costume jewelry, and veils. I
fall in love with my business all over again.
    Because I’m a
masochist, I walk toward the bridal gowns. Amid the ruffles and lace, finding
the dress I’m looking for is easy. This particular gown has hung in the same
place for the past two years. The ball gown has a strapless sweetheart bodice,
is covered in little crystals and pearls, has a full skirt, long train and
looks like something Cinderella would have worn if only she’d had a better
designer.
    I refuse to sell
it. It’s the only dress that has ever made me long to be a bride, even though I
doubt that will ever happen. It’s been almost a year since I went on a date and
even longer since I had sex. Maybe I just need to get laid. That might help my
outlook on life and business. But I suppose I need a man for that to happen,
and the only man in my life right now is my B.O.B.
    Shaking my head,
I replace the dress to its hiding place and return to the counter. It’s ten
minutes until closing time, so I don’t feel too guilty about ending my workday
a little early.
    I may not be
able to do margaritas tonight, but a bottle of cheap wine is definitely calling
my name.
    ***
    “We have a
problem.”
    I sigh. This is
our third “problem” in the past half-hour.
    I adjust my
headset and smile at the onlookers. Appearing as if everything is moving along
perfectly is part of the gig, and I’ve got this look down pat. I casually move
away from the front of the sanctuary and head down the hallway in search of a
secluded spot.
    “Sierra,” I
whisper into the headset, “for someone who wants more responsibility, you’ve
sure had a lot of problems today.”
    “That was not my
fault! I can’t help that the caterer forgot that the mother-of-the-groom is
allergic to strawberries!”
    I shudder and
close my eyes briefly to calm down. Talk about killing my business.
    “What’s the
problem?” I ask, hoping that it isn’t anything worth getting