My Ex's Baby (Crescent Cove 8)

Macy’s eyes reddened again. “Yeah. Kind of amazing.” She blew out a breath and smoothed a hand down her still flat middle. “Now let’s make sure I still fit in all this stuff.”

I closed the door behind her and hung the dress on the silk hanger attached to the intricately carved door I’d found in an estate sale in Salem. It had been the inspiration for the entire dressing room area. I’d seen photos of the original black stain that had now faded to a soft beachy gray. Each door had a black cat carved into the lower corner doing something different. One sleeping, another playing with yarn, and the last arched in a stretch.

I’d painted the rooms hot pink with a different tone on tone stripe. One horizontal, one vertical, and the last one pinstriped, which Macy was in now.

I settled on the huge round hassock that served as a parking spot for friends who were shopping together or for an armload of clothes. It was a dark lush pink that complemented the lighter pink dressing rooms.

A particular scruffy guy with his perpetual backwards ball cap covered in pink fuzz had been the highlight of that week last fall, pre-Rhiannon’s birth. August had built the base for me and had helped me stretch the material over the massive centerpiece. He’d come through in the clutch, so who could blame me for occasionally wondering what it would be like if he spread me out on it and…

Nope. I could not think about that right now.

Especially couldn’t let myself remember the late night full of sweat and rare laughter we’d spent putting it together. We were usually sniping at each other because everything he created was dense, manly man furniture. He had such a fine eye for detail and whenever I managed to rope him into a refinishing project, they were the ones that flew out of my shop.

Except this one. I smoothed my hand over the velvet. This one was all mine.

I nibbled on my thumbnail. I missed seeing those rare smiles. Now he just glowered at me.

All because I couldn’t control my-damn-self. So freaking stupid. If I’d just pushed him back faster, if I’d just bitten his tongue…

Perhaps that was a good move to have skipped.

The dressing room door opened, saving me from my runaway thoughts. “Wow.”

Macy put her hands on her hips then covered her middle before finally lowering her arms to her sides with a huff. “Are you sure about this? They feel like granny panties.”

I laughed. “They’re high-waisted shapers, and you’re rocking them. Goddess, your legs are miles long.” The champagne-colored lingerie was striking on her. While the look was a throwback to the days of pinups, it made her angular body seem softer.

“Handily, my guy is tall.”

I popped up and went right to the dress. “Well, I’m not, so this should be interesting.” I laughed. “Let’s start with you sitting there.”

Macy fluttered fingers through her hair. “I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

“Well, we know that gorgeous man is going to be waiting at the gazebo for you, so that’s not a concern.”

“Yeah. He knows I’d hunt him down if he wasn’t.”

“Drag him by the hair?”

She laughed. “Tempting. And I probably could. Might have to knock him out first, but I have my ways.”

I gathered the dress up so I could get it over her head. “Arms up.”

It took a few strings of inventive swear words, but we finally got her long arms into the lacy sleeves and over her head.

“Okay, stand up.” I guided her to her feet, and the dress simply floated down her to swish around her ankles.

She was breathtaking.

I was used to the café proprietress who wore an endless parade of denim and black pants with rude, colorful Halloween-themed shirts. This woman was striking with a surprising elegance.

“Oh, Macy.” Vee’s astonished voice had both of us turning around.

“I think that about covers it. You look amazing, Mace.” I held her in place. “Wait a second. Let me get the zipper so you can see the full effect.” I fussed with the hidden button and twisted the fabric so it fell in perfect lines. It didn’t quite go to the floor since it was an outdoor wedding. But the train had a special extra layer of material to support the elements and protect the lacy bats. I’d even sewn some citrine chips in with the appliqués for some sparkle and to boost her energy to get through the day.

Support from a few special crystals never hurt anyone.

I turned Macy around and ushered her toward the raised dais with the trio of antique mirrors so she could get a 360º view of herself.