An older woman with graying hair pulled back into a loose bun and glasses acknowledged us with a big smile. “I’ll be with you in just a moment,” she said in a singsong voice.
I nodded. “Thanks.” I turned to study Asher, who was looking around the shop. His shoulders were tense, and I could tell that he felt out of place. I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable, but I wasn’t sure what to say to fix that. Our relationship had been so strange lately, but now, it felt foreign.
The strained, silent air between us got the better of me, and I finally cracked. “Are you excited to see Coralie soon?”
Asher glanced over at me. “Huh?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Coralie. Are you excited to see her?”
Acknowledgment passed over his face, and he began to nod. “Yeah. Yes.” He cleared his throat. “Of course.”
I walked over to a beaded wedding dress and ran my fingers across the material. “I can’t believe that, in just a few short days, you’re going to be married.” My voice slowly drifted off. Emotions were getting the better of me and choking out my ability to speak.
“I know, it’s crazy, right?”
I glanced over to see him push his hand through his hair before he blew his breath out. “What are your plans once you’re married?”
It was strange to me that Asher didn’t really talk about their future. It was like he was living for Saturday, but after that, their future was unknown. I’d never heard him mention their plans for marital bliss. Were they going to live here or in New York?
Why wasn’t he sharing these details with me?
When he didn’t answer me right away, I glanced back at him. Did he hear me? Was he ignoring me? He was staring at the ground as if he were chewing on my words but wasn’t sure how to respond.
It was strange. After all, their plans once they were a married couple shouldn’t be a sensitive topic. Had he not thought about this?
“I…um.” He glanced over at me. “I think we’re going back to New York for a bit. Her dad…we just want to spend some time with her family.”
My heart ached at the thought of him leaving. How long was a bit? Were they planning on coming back to live in Harmony permanently? Or was he officially out of my life come Saturday?
My mind was swirling with questions, and yet, I couldn’t find the strength to ask any of them. I feared he would pound the final nail into the coffin of our friendship if I forced him to answer, so I decided to keep my fears to myself. It was safer that way.
“I’m so sorry to keep you two lovebirds waiting.” The shop owner’s voice had both of us turning to face her.
My entire body heated as I glanced back at Asher, who looked equally uncomfortable.
“We’re not…I mean, I’m not the bride,” I said as I went from waving my hand between Asher and me to just pointing at my chest so the woman knew exactly who I was talking about.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “Is this your brother?” She glanced over at Asher.
“Not family. We’re just friends.”
She frowned as she glanced between Asher and me. “Fun. I don’t get many opposite sex friends in the shop.” She clasped her hands together. “What are you looking to get, honey?”
“I need a dress for his wedding,” I said as I half-heartedly waved at Asher.
“His wedding?” She glanced at Asher from over her glasses. “Are you a bridesmaid?”
I shook my head. “I’m the best man.”
“The…best man.”
This was the worst conversation ever. Not only did this woman seem skeptical of everything I was saying, but she had this look in her eyes like she knew better. Like she could sense that there was something between Asher and me that neither of us wanted to admit.
It was torture.
I mustered all the courage I could and faced the woman head-on. “That’s right. I need a dress to be his best man.”
“I understand.” She gave me a soft smile. “Is there a particular style? Color?”
