Page 167 of Sparks Fly

That image made me laugh and loosened the nervous tension in my chest.

“She’s nervous?” I asked.

“She is trying very hard not to look nervous,” Lilly said.

Lauren squeezed my hand gently before stepping back. “We’re going to give you a minute.”

Ashley and Lilly followed her out, though Ashley paused in the doorway long enough to point a finger at me.

“If you start crying again,” she said, “I’m blaming Sawyer.”

When the door closed behind them the room became quiet again.

A moment later it opened once more and my mother stepped inside.

She paused just inside the doorway and looked at me for a moment before walking over and adjusting the sleeve of my dress.

“You look beautiful,” she said softly.

“Thank you,” I replied.

Her hands lingered briefly on the fabric before she stepped back.

“I’m glad you chose this dress,” she said.

I smiled slightly. “You helped pick it.”

“That’s true,” she said.

We stood there quietly for a moment before she spoke again.

“Your father asked if you still wanted him to walk you down the aisle,” she said. “He said he didn’t want to assume.”

My throat tightened unexpectedly.

“I do,” I said.

She nodded slowly.

“He’s very proud of you,” she added.

I glanced down at the ring on my hand before looking back up at her.

“Thank you for helping with the flowers,” I said.

She waved one hand dismissively. “They’re beautiful flowers.”

Her expression softened a little.

“Your father has been telling everyone about Sawyer’s shop all morning,” she said.

I laughed quietly. “That sounds like him.”

My mother reached out and squeezed my hand.

“I’m glad you’re happy,” she said.

“So am I,” I replied.