Page 17 of Professor Next Door

10. Tara

“What do you mean you don’t have anybody to invite? What about Amanda?”

Galen looked over at me, his soon-to-be wife, lost as to how I had nobody to invite. He knew my history, but shouldn’t I have cousins, aunts, friends from high school that I’d want to invite?

“Amanda is going to be my witness, but there’s no one else. My grandmother didn’t stay in contact with her relatives, and I’m not the most friendly person, if you haven’t noticed.” I felt myself blush and looked away. We’d had to get through the rest of the week and now it was the weekend, we both had time to sit down to plan the wedding.

“Shall we elope? We can go down to the coast, maybe to Savannah, and have a nice quiet wedding.”

“Oh, that sounds perfect! Can it be arranged?”

“Anything’s possible, Tara.” His look said he’d move mountains for me if that’s what it took. “Let’s see. I’m certain I saw a website for wedding venues in Charleston somewhere.” Galen went back to his laptop clicking buttons and scrolling until he found what he wanted. “There. Small, personal, and sweet.”

I saw it immediately. There was the classic oak lane that every southern little girl dreams of for her wedding, dripping with moss and gothic charm. I’d never really thought about where I’d like to get married until then. I’d never really thought about getting married. I’d been trying to get through school, and then I’d had Gran to take care of and then school again. It just never crossed my mind.

“There. That place.” I pointed at the place on the screen. “There’s also lodging there, so we can spend the honeymoon there. Everybody can have a room and we can make a weekend of it.”

Galen smiled at me, looking at the place with approval. “That looks perfect. I’m not usually into old plantations, but you’re right. Those places are made for weddings. Let me make some calls.”

I wanted to clap with joy, which made me roll my eyes at myself. I allowed myself a moment of girlish glee by taking a picture of it and sending it to Amanda. She’d been totally lost for words when I’d told her what I’d agreed to, her eyes round and huge, but then she’d jumped around me screaming about how lucky I was!

I’d reminded her it was all fake, but she’d ignored me. She knew I had a thing for him. She carried the same flame.

She texted me back, the words ‘road trip’ in capital letters with a dozen exclamation points. I didn’t want to be nosy and ask Galen if he could afford it, but I guessed he could, he hadn’t asked me for any money, and had set up an appointment for me to choose a gown from a shop in town. I was supposed to be there in an hour with Amanda.

“We’re in luck, there’s a cancellation next weekend. Is that alright with you?” He came back to the conversation with me, his gaze locking with mine.

“Wow. Yeah, I guess so. Can we get the license in time?” We’d already applied for it but Galen had handled it all so I didn’t know what else we needed to do. “Do we have to get blood tests or anything?”

“Nope, we’re ready to go. It was all done when we went down to the courthouse. And stop worrying about the school. They ask that we keep it quiet, but what I’ve brought them lately and my history with them is enough to keep them off of my back. I have some pull there, after all.” He gave me a reassuring grin and patted my hand.

“Right then, that settles it. I’m going to go get ready for this dress shopping. I wish you’d tell me what my budget is.” I looked over at him, worried I was going to hurt his bank account.

“I hate to be crude, Tara, but money is no object here. Look at this.” He slid over what turned out to be a bank statement. My eyes went wide at all the zeroes. “Between what Kayla left Rikki and me, a very good life insurance policy, and my book sales, we don’t have to worry about anything.”

I looked up at him, lost for words. I understood the prenuptial agreement now. Not that I’d ever take a dime from him when we divorced but, yeah, he needed to protect those assets for himself and his daughter.

“Okay then. Wow. Thank you.” I wasn’t sure I liked spending a dead woman’s money but he insisted I buy the dress of my dreams. It was also another reminder that this was a sham wedding. I kept reminding myself at every opportunity but it was easy to get caught up in it all.

Amanda picked me up a little while later and before I knew it, I was surrounded by white lace, satin, and a kaleidoscope of colors. I felt overwhelmed until a consultant came to me with a pleased smile. She was an older woman with hair slicked back into a tight bun, and a relaxing aura that soothed me. Standing in a tight pencil skirt with a black silk top, she looked strict and unapproachable, but her warm brown eyes informed me the appearance was a lie.

“Hi there, Tara. I’m Millicent. I’ll be your consultant. If you’ll follow me, we can get started. Bring your friend too.” She gave me another soft smile and we followed along behind her. “Your fella called me and told me to let you have what you want, but you’re a sensible girl, aren’t you? I’ve picked out some dresses for you already. Galen sent me a picture of you so I could get started.”

I looked back at Amanda with a gasp and we grinned at each other. That was thoughtful!

“Good God, Tara, look at that!” Amanda went straight for a lacy silk creation with a deep cut in the bodice. It was an antique white, almost gold, with a broad ribbon just under the bust.

“No, I couldn’t wear that, Amanda! I’d look like a can of biscuits on the verge of exploding!”

I dismissed it but my eyes lingered, loving the soft look of the lace.

I tried on a crisp white chiffon number, another one covered in rhinestones and appliques, and one with pockets and crimson red ribbons, but my eyes kept going to the dress in the corner. I’d rejected all of the others, hating them instantly.

“I can pull more if you’d like,” Millicent said easily, not irritated at all, but she saw the way my eyes went to the other dress. “Why don’t you just try it on, Tara? It’s been very flattering for other brides.”

“I’ll look so stupid in it. I couldn’t wear it. I just…” I sighed, staring at it hard. I didn’t even know how much it was yet! “Alright.”

I shimmied out of the beribboned confection I’d been standing in and took the dress of satin and lace. I loved it from the moment my hands touched the soft fabric. It was light, soft, and as it fell over my head, it fell into place over all of my curves. It hugged me in all of the right places, and rather than being too low cut, it sat just right on my generous bust. Millicent zipped it up and that was it. This was my dress!

“Oh, Tara…” Amanda breathed my name out on a long sigh, her eyes watering as she brushed at them. “You’re just… wow, you’re gorgeous girl!”

She came behind me, one hand at my waist as she turned me from side to side in front of the wall of mirrors showing me from all angles. Her hands moved, taking some kind of pin from Millicent as Amanda twisted my hair on top of my head. She worked, pulling strands loose, shifting the dress on my hips, tugging it over my breasts, and then she stood back.

With my dark hair twisted into a French twist, my body perfectly outlined by the dress, I felt beautiful for the first time in my life. I gulped down a lump in my throat as I stared at myself, lost. How could a simple dress make such a difference?

“This is it, Millicent. Amanda, is this real?” I couldn’t take my eyes from the way the dress made me look, but I wanted it.

“It is, honey, and you deserve it. You so deserve it!” She squeezed my shoulders and gave me another smile. I clasped at her hand and turned to give her my own watery smile.

“Thank you, Amanda. You’ve been such a gift to me. Don’t make me cry!” I buried my head in her shoulder and laughed but cried. I had a wedding dress. Suddenly, it was all real. I was getting married to the man of my dreams. Even if he barely knew I was alive.