“That strategy makes sense,” his father said. “After all, if you make your name in the post-season, so much the better. The offers will be even bigger.” Before he could respond, his father continued. “How is Kristin?”

“We broke up,” Gavin said without hesitation. “The long-distance thing just wasn’t working out.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” his father responded. “A swimsuit model is the kind of woman all of the major leaguers have on their arm. It will be expected when you get to New York…”

“Dad, I’ve got to go. Good talking to you.”

He got off the phone, more irritated than ever. Kristin and his father both used the same tactics; if they acted as if, it was. But for the first time in his life, he wasn’t buying into it. He was making his own decisions, and it was amazing how good that felt.

He decided it was a habit he would keep for a lifetime.

Chapter 30

The Princeton bridal shop was more elegant than Jessica had ever imagined. As they walked into the showroom, she saw racks of white dresses everywhere, glass mirrors, white carpeting, and a round platform that looked like a stage. Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, and rainbow lights danced on the walls.

A woman approached them, her platinum hair and eggshell dress looking very appropriate in the pristine environment. “Hello, I am Julia. And who is our bride?”

“I’m Darcy.” The bride-to-be smiled at the salesclerk. “I bought a gown a few months ago, and am here for a final fitting.”

The woman immediately put her arm around Chase’s fiancée and gave her a warm, welcoming smile. “You will make a beautiful bride,” she said gushingly, taking in Darcy’s petite figure, blond hair, and sparkling blue eyes. “Your sales representative isn’t here today, but I can show you your dress. Now you ladies all make yourself comfortable, and I will be right back.”

“My God, I never dreamed there were so many styles!” Jessica thumbed through the racks, seeing strapless gowns, mermaid cuts, fit-and-flares, and column dresses in every fabric imaginable including chiffon, lace, silk, satin, even tulle. There were ball gowns fit for Princess Diana, and elegant designer outfits that looked more appropriate for an upscale dinner.

“Let’s try some on,” Nikki said, her voice rich with amusement.

“What?” Jessica looked at her as if she were insane.

“Come on. Hopefully I’m going to be wearing one of these sometime in the future.” She whipped out a pink Vera Wang ball gown and handed it to Jessica, and then grabbed a gaudy beaded satin corset dress for herself. “We can look at the stuff we know we would never buy, just for fun.”

“Okay.” Jessica did an eye roll. Nevertheless, she took the garment into the dressing room and behind closed doors, slipped it on.

She wasn’t surprised that the dress didn’t suit her at all. It was far too flouncy for her athletic figure, and the color, a blush rose, made her complexion appear sallow. On another woman, Jessica mused, the gown would be gorgeous, but on her it just looked silly.

She and Nikki met outside, both of them giggling. “Oh my God, I look like a strawberry cupcake!” Jessica chortled, twirling in the way-too-big pink confection, while Nikki paraded around in a white lace corset as if she were working at an exotic nightclub.

“And I look like I should be getting tips in my garter belt!”

They continued playing like children dressing up. Jessica roared with laughter as Nikki appeared in a Little Bo Peep getup complete with a hook-handled umbrella, while she did a snazzy rendition of a Charleston wearing a fringed cocktail dress.

Another one of the saleswomen, obviously not thrilled with their antics, came into the dressing room with a couple of garments draped over her arm.

“Try this,” she said to Nikki, and then handed the other to Jessica. “And this one is for you.”

Like scolded schoolgirls, Jessica and Nikki had no choice but to comply. Slipping into the simple satin column dress with a touch of bling on the shoulders, Jessica turned toward the mirror, expecting once more to be amused.

Instead, her mouth fell open. The Zac Posen designer original made the most of her slender figure, and the fitted bust detail actually gave her cleavage. The color was a little more ivory than stark white, which looked gorgeous with her hair and complexion. Startled, her throat grew tight as she gazed at her reflection.

She was a bride. It was something she had not given a lot of thought to, unlike countless other women who had dreamed of the perfect wedding since they were little. Yet now, her reflection gave her a glimpse of the dream, of walking down the aisle appearing elegant and sophisticated.

With a man like Gavin.

She couldn’t stop the emotions that followed. Could she do it? Could she trust him that much? Was she the marrying kind? Once she would have thought no, she was happy with her life just the way it was. But now, just looking at the dress, she realized something had shifted within her, and that something had everything to do with Gavin.

Jessica froze: she was falling in love. She knew it, the way one knew all true things, and wasn’t at all sure how to deal with it. A thousand familiar warning bells went off in her brain, but for the first time they were out-shouted by a warmth radiating within her heart.

A knock sounded on the door, and she quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “Yes?”

“Darcy’s ready. Let me see?” Without waiting for an invite, Nikki opened the door and gasped when she viewed Jessica in the elegant dress. “Jess, you look incredible!”

“So do you!” Jessica stared at the Grace Kelly ball gown that Nikki showed off.

“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? I wouldn’t have thought to try something like this on, but I love it!”

“That’s my job.” The saleswoman smiled as both women gaped appreciatively at the other. “So remember us when it comes your time. But right now we have a bride waiting.”

Both Nikki and Jessica disappeared for the last time into the confines of the dressing room. Reluctantly, Jessica slipped off the elegant wedding gown, her eyes returning again and again to the beautiful garment now displayed on a padded hanger as she slipped on her yoga pants. Joining Nikki at the platform, they each took a chair and waited expectantly. When Darcy entered wearing a strapless mermaid Galina, complete with a veil and sparkling crystal earrings, both women cried out at the same time.

“Oh my God, Darcy, you look stunning!”

The bride-to-be actually blushed, and then smoothed the folds of the gown. “Do you think so?” She turned sideways, looking at the back. “I was a little concerned because I gained a couple of pounds, but I think it looks okay.”

“Okay?” Nikki turned to Jessica for confirmation. “It’s fabulous! And it fits you perfectly.”

“Absolutely,” Jessica seconded, fumbling for a tissue.

This time she wasn’t embarrassed when she realized she was not the only one crying.

—

Jessica felt drained by the time she got home. She wasn’t used to experiencing the more feminine emotions. If she had to be honest, she would have thought she was above all that, but now she knew better.

She could bawl with the best of them.

She didn’t know what was happening to her, why she was changing. She felt like she was opening up like a flower in the spring sunlight, and she choked on the corniness of her own musings. But as unsettling as it was, she privately had to admit that it wasn’t unpleasant.

Even now, as she dressed for her date with Gavin, she discovered she enjoyed wearing flattering clothes, a little bit of bling, and even a touch of makeup. She was looking forward to seeing him more than she would have imagined, and she smiled as she envisioned his reaction to her outfit.