I loved how Parker fought for me like that, made me the number-one priority and made sure I was taken care of. He really was the man of my dreams.
“Yeah, well I suppose when you have money to throw away, it doesn’t matter.” Rachel hung the dress hanger on a hook and sat down next to me as we waited on the saleslady to bring me another gown to try on. I felt a little exposed sitting there in my bra and panties, but Rachel and I had been friends for years. We might as well be sisters.
“I think I’ll keep him.” I winked at her, and she leaned her head on my shoulder.
“He’s literally a dream come true. Does he have a rich brother?”
Again, I laughed at her contentedly. “Well, I’m sure he has some wealthy friends, but unfortunately, since he’s in his forties, most of them are probably taken.” I nudged her off my shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll find someone. For now, you get to be my maid of honor.”
I heard the faint ringing of my phone from somewhere beneath my pile of clothing and jumped up to find it. I dug through the pile but the phone stopped ringing before I got to it. I missed a call from Parker. He was probably wondering how the dress shopping was going, so I sat down and called him back.
“Hey, beautiful, how’s it going?” He sounded like he was in a good mood, which was different from how he’d woken up in myapartment this morning. He’d had the weight of the world on his shoulders while waiting for his lawyer to return his call about some investigation going on into the vandalism of my car.
“Well, I know which dress I love, and I know which dress I’m not buying. Is it okay if I just be me?” Parker didn’t have a care in the world how much I spent. I just didn't want him to be disappointed in my choice of dress. His house was so fancy.
“Seriously, Haley. I know you are just a very down to earth kind of girl. Buy what makes you happy. Even if it’s a fifty-dollar clearance rack dress.”
His lightheartedness put me at ease. “I miss you.” I grinned and turned away from Rachel, who was sticking her finger down her throat in a fake “gag me” expression of mockery. I pushed her away and snickered at her antics.
“I miss you too, baby. We’ll be together after work. For now, guess what?”
I shrugged. “Not sure. I guess you got good news from the lawyer?”
The saleswoman walked in carrying two dresses, both still wrapped in plastic and hanging on hangers, as if they hadn’t been touched since being delivered to the shop.
“Yeah, actually. Tony found a shop only two doors down from where you parked. They got a clear image of Jack Williams on the street with a paint can in hand. We got him, Haley. I told Tony to send notice of a countersuit in the amount of ten million dollars for damages to your car, and pain and suffering. They dropped their lawsuit, and Jack quit.”
“Ah, thank God that’s finally over. We can just relax now.” Rachel was making fake kissing faces at me, still poking fun at my relationship, but I didn’t mind. It made me feel like I did in high school when she would mock me for the boys I liked.
“Yes, and in three weeks, you will be Mrs. Haley Spencer-Danvers and everyone will know your name. And best of all, ifthe rest of the staff who joined that lawsuit don’t like it, they can just deal with it. You’re their boss now!” Parker laughed heartily, and I joined him.
“Look, babe, I have to try on a few more dresses, then we’re grabbing dinner and I’ll be home.”
“Sure, baby. I’ll be waiting. Send me pictures?”
“Ah, no…” I snickered. “You don’t get to see until the day I walk down the aisle and you make me your bride.”
“You two are gross.” Rachel rolled her eyes and strolled over to the saleswoman who was removing the plastic from the dresses. I said my goodbyes to Parker and stashed the phone back in my jeans pocket.
“Which one first?” I asked, and the woman turned, holding a plain white satin gown.
“This one is very similar to the one you just tried, only no jewels, lace, or filigree. It has a simple two-foot train, making it easier to move around in.” She held the gown up, and I loved it immediately.
Rachel helped me get into the thing. It would need taken in a bit, but that was all part of shopping at a bridal store. When I turned and faced the mirror in the dressing room, I already knew I’d love it, but Rachel coaxed me out into the fitting area where I stepped up onto the pedestal and turned to face the wall of banked mirrors. I could see myself from almost every angle. The dress was amazing, simple and elegant, just like the ring.
“How much?” I asked the saleswoman without turning to look at her.
“Oh, this one is only two thousand. I can add any features you want—bodice enhancements, a specialized veil… For this wedding, this gown is really too simple. You want to embellish it a little. This is just the base dress. We add to it as you see fit.” She clasped her hands in front of herself, proud of how she could go above and beyond for me.
“I think I like it exactly as it is. I don’t need fanfare. It’s perfect.” My grin soured her expression, as if she wanted to upsell more features to the dress I wanted, but I was perfectly content.
“I’ll go get my pins and we’ll see what adjustments need to be made.” She smiled curtly and walked away, and Rachel giggled.
This wedding would be perfect, even if it wasn’t exactly what society thought a billionaire’s wedding should be. I looked back at the mirror and smoothed the front of the dress down. Parker would love it. That was the most important thing.
34
PARKER
