In Love by Christmas by Cari Lynn Webb

Author:Cari Lynn Webb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-09-10T19:17:43+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JOSIE SET HER hands on her hips and stepped back to study Adriana in the first of the prototype gowns. Adriana had piled her dark hair into an intricate updo, then added a single red rose from the dozen Ryan had sent her that morning for no particular reason. Other than he was a man in love.

Ryan adored Adriana openly and honestly, as if Adriana gave his world meaning. Josie might’ve envied the woman if she was looking for someone to share her life with, which she wasn’t. Despite the moment she’d collected last night with Theo.

Small branches of baby’s breath burst from Adriana’s hair like tiny clouds. Her upswept hair complemented the illusion sleeves on the Helen-inspired dress and the fitted shape exposed her elegant figure.

“It’s impeccably crafted.” Adriana twisted to take in the plunging back of the gown. “Well-constructed. Lovely.”

Josie lifted her gaze to Adriana’s face, pursed her lips and arrived at one conclusion: a garbage bag would look fashionable on Adriana Taylor. It was the woman’s gift. In this instance though, more of a curse, at least for Josie. She was proud of her work and considered the gown lovely herself. Adriana was so striking, however, the gown became super flattering and beautiful on her. Hovering above nice.

Josie followed Adriana into the dressing room and helped her out of the dress. There was still the Jin-inspired gown. Still a chance for Josie to get it right.

“I’m sorry for putting you in an awkward position with my brother.” Adriana slid her arms into the silk robe left for clients and faced Josie. “I’m sorry I forced you into stretching the truth.”

Josie had given Theo the full truth last night at the Silver Monarch Hotel. Shared parts of her past she hadn’t told anyone. As if the gingerbread town was a safe zone. Theo her protector. That was only her heart confusing the past and the present. Mimi had been her support. Now the only safe zone was inside herself. As for her heart, she had to stop listening to its whispered lies.

Josie gathered the gown to drape it back over the body form. Her curiosity was harder to gather. “Why do they call you a bridezilla?”

“I suppose I can be,” Adriana confessed. She rearranged several branches of baby’s breath in her hair and met Josie’s gaze in the mirror. “But the truth is... My brother is the impossible one.”

He hadn’t been impossible last evening. He’d been thoughtful and considerate. Her teacup had gone dry yet he’d stayed beside her. He’d drawn one gingerbread house after another, making her believe he’d have stayed there all night if she’d asked, as if content to let her end the moment on her terms. In her own time. As if he’d known she’d needed exactly that. Josie hugged the gown to her chest to muffle the sigh in her heart.

“The papers have it wrong about us.” Adriana fiddled with the silk sash on the robe.

“Why don’t you correct them?” Josie asked.

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