Page 75 of Unraveled

Since he very much liked having her in his home and his bed, he was less than pleased with her ultimatum. She wasn’t altogether sure that she would follow through with her threat, because she liked being there with him more than she probably should have. They hadn’t spent a single night apart for more than three weeks, and the idea of sleeping without him next to her was strangely disconcerting.

She lifted one hand and smoothed the twin lines of worry that had appeared between his brows. “I promise. Everything will be fine.”

Though this was her first foray out of the house since the incident with Nate, she wouldn’t be alone. Hannah had invited her to go dress shopping with her, and she wasn’t about to turn down the opportunity to watch her best friend pick out her wedding dress.

Her phone vibrated on the counter behind her, and she turned around to read the message on the screen. She tapped out a reply, then stowed her phone in her back pocket and faced Carter again. “Hannah is here. I’ll be back by the time you get home from work.”

She stretched up on her toes and planted a quick kiss on his lips, then started toward the doorway. Carter’s arm shot out and wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to him. His free hand lifted to her face, his thumb slipping beneath her chin and raising her face to his. Dark brown eyes stared into hers for several long seconds. “I just want you safe,” he said softly.

She leaned into him and slid her arms up his chest until they were laced behind his neck. “I know. Both Hannah and I will be together at Adalyn’s shop. Jaxon’s got plenty of security there, so we’ll all be safe.”

The threat of danger had passed, but Carter was still intensely worried for her well-being. As much as it drove her crazy, she appreciated it at the same time. She knew he cared deeply for her, and over the past couple weeks, her feelings for him had become crystal clear. She hadn’t found the right time or words to tell him, but now wasn’t the time either.

“Text me when you get there and when you leave.” She cocked an eyebrow at the demand. A small smile crooked his mouth. “Please.”

She grinned, then planted another swift kiss on his lips. “I don’t want to keep Hannah waiting. Have a good day at work.”

He still held her face cradled in one large hand, and he pulled her back to him, brushing his lips over hers in a sweet, lingering kiss. He broke away, then studied her for a long moment before finally releasing her. “Have fun.”

With that, she skipped downstairs and out the door, pausing briefly to pet Peanut on her way out. Hannah’s car was parked in the driveway, and she waved to her as she hopped down the front porch steps and cut across the lawn to meet her. She slid into the passenger seat, and Hannah reached over the console, wrapping her in a welcoming hug. “I’m so glad you could come.”

“Are you kidding?” she said as she pulled her seat belt across her chest and snapped it into place. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Their small talk turned to discussion of the wedding as they drove to Adalyn’s bridal salon, discussing her venue, colors, and a million other tiny little details. Half an hour later, they parked along the street outside the salon, and Hannah looked over at her. “So, how are you? For real?”

The words stuck in Audrey’s throat. What could she tell her? That she woke sometimes in the middle of the night on silent screams, tied to that table while Nate sliced through her flesh and ripped her tooth out? That wasn’t going to happen.

She shook her head, unable to stop the tears from welling in her eyes. “I can’t.”

Hannah leaned over and pulled her into a tight hug. For several minutes, they remained that way. Finally, Audrey dragged in a ragged breath and swiped the tears from her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I just…”

Hannah peered at her. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

If there was ever anyone who understood what Audrey had gone through, it was Hannah. She tried to smile but knew she failed miserably. “Thank you.”

Adalyn herself greeted them with a smile as soon as they stepped in the door. She opened her arms for a hug and held Audrey close. “You look amazing.”

Audrey knew Adalyn had been through trauma herself, so it meant the world to her that she offered a compliment instead of sympathy. “Thank you.” To deflect the attention away from herself, she gestured toward Hannah. “I can’t wait to see her in some gowns.”

Adalyn’s grin lit up her whole face. “I have a few picked out, but feel free to take a look around. If you find something you like, you can bring it to the dressing room right over here.” She pointed to a room with the raised dais in front of it.

Audrey meandered through the racks for a few moments while Hannah went inside the room to get changed, and she fingered one of the model gowns with reverence. She remembered being young, with stars in her eyes, more excited about dressing up for her wedding than the man she was marrying. The lace was soft and delicate beneath her fingers, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Carter would think of it.

Her attention was splintered when Hannah swept out of the dressing room wearing a stunning ballgown. “Oh,” Audrey breathed. “It’s beautiful.”

“Not too much?” Hannah asked. Knowing how self-conscious she was of her voluptuous figure, Audrey shook her head.

“I think it’s absolutely perfect. But try on a few more just to make sure.”

Hannah inspected the gown from several different angles before retreating into the room. Audrey’s gaze went straight back to the lace gown on the mannequin, and she heard soft footsteps approach as Adalyn reached her side. “Would you like to try it on?”

Audrey smiled ruefully. “I really shouldn’t.”

“It looks even better on,” she said. “And the ivory would really complement your skin.”

“You’re not helping my willpower,” Audrey said with a roll of her eyes.

Her smile only grew, and Audrey finally relented. “Oh, all right.”