I sniff and say, “I ran into Birdy at the coffeehouse, and she said she was meeting up with you. I thought . . . I thought you ditched me for her.”
“Never,” he says softly while stroking my hair. “I had to give her some binoculars to practice with for our hike tomorrow.”
“Really?” I ask as I lift to look him in the eyes.
“Yes, really. This is an important day, Lia, of course, I would be here for it.”
“Thank you,” I say softly as another wave of tears hits me.
He stands from the floor and grabs a box of tissues, only to sit back down with me. This time, he leans against my chair and pulls me to his side.
I wipe at my nose, and we just sit there in silence.
He’s here. With me.
The thought rocks me, and once again, I tear up.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asks.
“Just grateful you’re here. More grateful than you probably know.”
“No matter what happens between us, Lia, I will always be there for you. Always. Okay?” I nod, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head before saying, “As much as I just want to sit here with you, I have to get back out there. The Beave is already pissed at me because I showed up late, and I don’t want to make her madder.”
“Don’t leave,” I say in a panic. “Help me into these dresses.”
“Uh, don’t you want an attendant to do that?”
I shake my head. “I’m so freaking raw right now, Breaker. I can barely breathe. I need you in here, with me, by my side. Please stay . . .”
Chapter Ten
BREAKER
Those pleading green eyes.
The tears falling over her cheeks.
The desperation in her expression. I feel useless.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lia like this. Ever. Which could only mean one thing—she’s not in a good headspace at all, and no way am I going to leave her to herself.
“Of course, I can stay,” I say as I stand and pull her up with me.
Knock. Knock.
“Miss Lia,” the attendant says. “Are you ready to try on some dresses?”
Lia looks up at me with a terrified expression, so I go to the door and part it open. “Actually, I’m going to help her into her dresses, if you don’t mind. Can you pull a few simple gowns with some of that lace detail on them? Especially the one that is upfront on the mannequin.”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Cane.”
I shut the door and turn back to Lia. “If I’m going to wiggle you in and out of these things, then we’re going to put you in dresses that are actually your style. None of this poofy, embellished bullshit. I’m no expert, but these are atrocious.” That makes her smile, but it’s not the full kind of smile I’m used to. It’s a blip. A blip will have to do.
“They’re not great,” she says, walking up to them. She picks up one of the silky ones and says, “This is the same fabric as the robe I’m wearing. People would be able to see every lump and bump on my body.”
“Well, for one, you don’t have lumps and bumps besides the two on your chest, and secondly, I’m not sure those are the kind of dresses you wear undergarments with.”
She cringes. “I need undergarments. I’m not one to show nipple to a crowd of people.”
“Only a select few?” I joke around.
“Obviously,” she says before leaning against the wall of the dressing room.
“What are you doing?” we hear The Beave ask the attendant. “Why are you taking in more dresses? We haven’t even seen her try on the first ones.”
Lia’s eyes plead with me, so I excuse myself from the dressing room and walk up to The Beave, who’s sitting in a chair with an untouched glass of champagne in her hand.
“Mrs. Beaver, could I possibly have a word with you?” I ask, keeping my tone neutral.
“Well, of course,” she says as she stands, and together, we walk off to the side, out of earshot. If anything, this woman likes to uphold appearances. She doesn’t want anyone to hear a conversation they shouldn’t. “What on earth is happening in that dressing room?”
“The dresses that were chosen are beautiful, but they’re not quite Lia’s style.” I lower my voice some more and say, “She’s very upset right now, and I don’t want to cause a scene, so I thought we could try on some dresses that suit her more.”
“Upset? For what reason? This should be fun.”
“I agree. That’s why we shouldn’t dictate what she wears and be happy for what she thinks looks beautiful on her.”