“Say it, Gracie. I need to hear it.”
“I love you,” I whispered.
He pressed a kiss to my head and held me tighter. He didn’t respond, but I knew it would take time. He held me until I fell asleep in his arms.
I realized it was the first time he’d ever left without kissing me goodbye. The only night I could think of in our relationship he hadn’t woken me in the darkness to make love before the morning.
He’d been different all evening.
But at least he’d been here. Nothing else mattered as long as we were together.
Laughter rang out in Cami’s large studio in Port Albany. It felt good to forget about everything else and concentrate on Addi and the wedding. Seeing how happy she was bolstered my spirits, and I was able to join in on the merriment. Married to my uncle Aiden, Cami Callaghan was a talented designer. The open space of her loft echoed with mirth. Wide-planked wooden floors, golden and warm with age, creaked as we moved around, waiting for our turn to be checked over by Cami’s critical eyes. The whitewashed walls held bolts of fabric in all colors, like rainbows painted in bright hues. Her workstation held no fewer than three computer screens, a large drafting board, and hundreds of pieces of paper. Cami loved to draw her designs, often struck by inspiration and needing to get the lines down on paper. She used computer software as well, but she preferred how her visions flowed onto paper under her favorite brand of pencil. Aiden made sure she always had some at the ready. He was inordinately proud of his wife and all she had accomplished. Her small design company was sought after, and she kept her client list short. Brides and elegant gowns were her specialty, although I had a few of her day dresses in my closet as well.
I sipped my champagne, watching as Heather turned slowly for Cami, the pretty ivory of her dress highlighting her coloring. The dress was simple but perfect. With a heart-shaped neck and jagged hemline that swirled around her legs, it suited her personality. Cami nodded and clapped her hands. “Perfect.” She grinned. “That’s three down. Gracie, your turn.”
I stepped up to the platform, looking in the mirror. My dress was a soft, delicate gold color. The neckline was scooped, the lacy sleeves hanging off my shoulders. The bodice was formfitting, and the skirt hung from my waist in a long swath of material. A deceptively simple dress, the material flowed and draped. As I walked, the skirt parted to form a sort of train behind me, showing off the deeper gold lining underneath. I felt like a princess in it.
Except Cami frowned. She pinched in the waist with her fingers. “Gracie, you’ve lost weight. It’s too loose.”
I pursed my lips in vexation. I knew I had lost a little. Between work, Jaxson, and my worries the last little while, I hadn’t been eating as well as usual.
“Sorry. I’m so busy I forget.”
She looked at my reflection, concern written across her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I protested, not liking how everyone seemed to be looking. “I’ve just been so busy.”
Cami picked up her pins as Heather approached me. She stood next to me, eyeing me critically. Before she could say anything, I held up my hand. “Don’t say it.”
“I was going to say you look okay—tired maybe, but okay.”
“Hours of research on this case, is all,” I said. “It’s a monster. Plus, studying for the bar. All I seem to do is read. And not the fun kind. Instead of dukes and rakes, it’s all facts, figures, and legal stuff.”
That changed the subject, and everyone started talking about the book club idea. I suggested the first series, and we agreed to start in January once the wedding was over, this case was done, and life had returned to something resembling normal.
Cami made her adjustments and met my gaze. “Try to remember to eat, Gracie. Aiden could recommend some protein drinks that would give you the right supplements and calories.”
“I’ll call him.”
She smirked. “I already did. He is going to drop some off to you tomorrow morning before you leave with Heather to go to work.”
I had to smile. There was no doubt he would drop them off, give me a lecture, and finish off with one of his tight bear hugs.
“Thanks, Cami.”
She winked. “It’s what we do. Family, you know.” She stepped back. “Okay, you’re done. Don’t lose any more.”
“I’ll try.” I had my mother’s slight frame and her habit of losing weight when stressed. Heather was more like my dad, slightly taller, with a slim, athletic build. We resembled my mom, although Heather had my dad’s hazel eyes that seemed to see everything. She was more outgoing than I was, her exuberance in embracing life evident. Her boyfriend, Reed, suited her well, his teasing nature meshing with hers. She had been filled with news, happily chatting in the car as we drove to Port Albany.