Fall Into Love, page 25
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The Fall Bride
GRACIE
Valerie runs a wedding dress boutique. Love is her business, and that's where she'd like it to stay. But love isn't so easily contained. It doesn’t help that the hot jerk next door won’t stop getting under her skin. She’s frustrated--and not only because he refuses to give her space.
Tidas has always had his eyes on Valerie and seeing her temper only makes him want her more. What’s he to do when she won't give in? Trick her into marrying him.
Warning: Did we do an enemies to lovers surprise wedding with a fall theme? Find out for yourself!
To all our besties that shine when the pumpkins come out!
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Chapter One
VALERIE
Fall is without a doubt my favorite time of year, especially as I watch the town of Hollow Oak slip into the holidays. The tourists return home, and I can once again recognize most of the faces around here. The cozy feeling of being in a small town comes back, and I’m reminded of why I’ve always loved living here.
I make my way down Main Street toward the Sweet Spot to get my morning coffee fix. I’m a bit more excited than normal because my best friend is getting married, and today she’s coming in to try on dresses. There’s nothing better than that, but it’s even better because I own the bridal shop. I love finding brides their dream dresses, but it’s extra special when it’s someone I love.
Not only am I helping her get her dress, but I’m going to be a part of the wedding too. A wedding that’s been a long time coming. Julie and Jacks have been in love before we even knew what love was. We all knew they’d get married, and finally they’ve set a date.
“Valerie,” Claire calls from behind the counter when I enter the coffee shop.
“Morning.” I scrunch my nose when the smell of pumpkin assaults me.
It’s the one thing about fall that I don’t love. Why would anyone ever pick pumpkin spice when you can have classic chocolate? Then again, I’ve always been a traditional girl. So much so my friends tease me about it. What’s wrong with wanting things to go a certain way? I love structure and the predictable. I don’t see what’s so bad about that. I know what I want, and I’m not going to settle for less.
“Please tell me you’re still making chocolate croissants and not swapping them out with pumpkin muffins or something,” I say when I scan the display case and don’t see them.
“Oh god.” She bumps her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I’m so dumb. Someone just came in and bought them all. I should have pulled one for you. I’m so sorry.”
“Someone bought all of them?”
“Yeah, I’m so sorry, Valerie,” she says again.
“It’s fine.” I sigh. “I’ll just have a coffee today. I do have to fit into a bridesmaid's dress soon anyway.” Claire rolls her eyes at me.
“You’ll take a chocolate chip muffin top and you’ll eat every bite because I made it.”
“Don’t twist my arm,” I laugh as she makes me a coffee.
“I’m so excited Jacks and Julie are finally getting married. I’m shocked they waited this long. They’ve been engaged since high school.”
“They have,” I agree, not willing to say more.
The truth is Julie’s parents are so controlling that they think they should wait even longer. Thankfully, Julie finally put her foot down. I don’t get their deal. Jacks is a good guy, and they should be happy for Julie. He’ll be an incredible husband. He’d do anything to make Julie happy.
“Here you go.” She hands me my coffee and a to-go bag with my muffin. “I’ll save a croissant for you tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” I say before heading back out the door.
I glance both ways before I cross the street to get to the bridal shop that’s been in my family for generations. My mom handed over the reins after I graduated from college this past spring. I’ve been working in the shop most of my life in one way or another.
Mom and I fought about college. I didn’t think I needed to go because I could run this place with my eyes closed, but she insisted that I needed to get out of Hollow Oak for a few years. She wanted to make sure this is what I really wanted and I wasn’t taking the shop over because I felt I had to. I understood and went away to school, but I’m happy to be back home. Though some things have changed around here.
Tidas Combs being one of them. My eyes narrow when I see his car parked in front of my shop.
There used to be an insurance company next to the bridal shop, but Mr. Brookes closed his doors and retired last summer. That’s when Tidas swooped in and bought the place for his law firm. Apparently he was some big-shot lawyer in the city but moved his office out here for some reason. Of course he has to be a divorce lawyer. Out of all things to move in next to my bridal shop, it’s that.
I swear he’s always going out of his way to try and needle me. He has from the first moment we met when I’d been home on spring break from college. At the time I was only a few months away from graduating, but whenever I was home I’d help my mom out at the shop. That first morning, I’d pulled up outside and saw Tidas Combs sitting on the bench out front. He had the audacity to try and talk me out of going in, spouting off about how most marriages end in divorce. Worse, he tried to talk me into coming into his office to talk about prenups.
Ignoring his expensive shiny car directly in front of my stop, I yank open the door to his office, intent on giving him a piece of my mind. He has the whole back lot to park in, not to mention we each have four spots out front. All his are empty at the moment, but still he parks his fancy sports car in one of my spots.
“Miss Shaffer.” Rebecca’s lips purse at the sight of me. She’s never liked me, and I have no clue why. She’d been a few grades above me in school, but I never had a problem with her. “He’s busy right now,” she says, already knowing why I’m here.
“No I’m not,” Tidas drawls. He’s in his normal black suit looking devilishly handsome. I hate how attractive he is, and the way my body responds to him is just plain mean. Why am I doing this to myself?
He gives me a wink and then takes a giant bite of the chocolate croissant in his hand.
“You!” I hiss.
“I was about to move my car, sugar. All the spots were taken this morning.” He leans up against the doorframe to his office.
“I can move it for you, Tidas.” Rebecca’s voice turns sugary sweet, and I openly roll my eyes.
“Mr. Combs,” he corrects Rebecca. I want to stick my tongue out at her, but I manage to keep it in my mouth.
“You took the chocolate croissants on purpose,” I accuse him.
“I have more in my office if you’d like to come in and have one.”
“You eat them. Maybe you’ll choke on one.” I smirk, turning to leave, but not before I give one more dig. He did, after all, take my favorite breakfast from me. “But move that midlife crisis out front first. I have customers coming.” His bark of laughter follows me out of the door.
Even his stupid laugh is sexy.
“They’ll be my customers in a few years,” he shouts, always having to have the last word.
Chapter Two
TIDAS
“Is there anything I can do for you, Tidas?” Rebecca asks as she comes into my office.
“No,” I answer but don’t look up from the paperwork on my desk. “And if you can’t manage to show some respect when speaking to me, I’m sure you can find suitable employment elsewhere.”
There’s a sound of her squeaking or something, but I don't pay any attention to her. I’ve got work to do, and she’s purposely trying to be annoying.
“Yes, Mr. Combs.” She clears her throat, and I hear paper rustling. “Your next appointment is at three o’clock, so you’re free until then.”
“Thank you.” I check my watch and then go back to writing notes on my last client. “Take your lunch now and pick up the office supplies on the list I left up front.”
“Sure.” Her voice is quiet, but eventually I hear her walk out and then the antique bell on the front door.
Leaning back in my chair, I sigh as I rub the heels of my hands over my eyes. I do it until I have to blink away the black spots and my vision comes back into focus. When it does, I look outside to see a row of cars parked in front of the bridal shop.
Hollow Oak isn’t where I’d envisioned setting up my practice, but last year when my business partner was indicted for embezzling, I needed a dramatic change. Lloyd was my friend from law school and we’d known each other a long time, yet somehow he managed to hide his gambling addiction. When we set up our law practice in the city, we’d set out to make a name for ourselves. We got bigger and bigger, and I never bothered to look at the books. I trusted his accounting, but when we were audited, that’s when I found out it had been a mistake.
Luckily I had enough money to pay out what was owed to the government and close out the practice. It was a nightmare, and the last thing I wanted to do when setting up a new business was take on another partner.
My great-aunt April lived in Hollow Oak, and when she died, she left a large plot of land to my mother. Since my mom and dad are spending their retirement traveling the world, she signed it over to me and my brother Donovan. It seemed like the perfect place to go, and when the historic building downtown became vacant, it made perfect sense. So I sold my penthouse in the city and spent the last year building two houses on the land. I refuse to share a space with my brother because he’s so damn grouchy. Donovan and I get along, we just don’t share the same space. Not after his accident.
The building I’m in is old and historical, with hardwood floors and exposed brick. It’s the opposite in every way to the firm I had before, but maybe that isn’t such a bad thing. Now I just need to figure out how to get rid of Rebecca without being an asshole. Mrs. Green does water aerobics at the local YMCA and guilted me into giving her granddaughter a job. I couldn’t say no because she’s practically a hundred years old, but somehow she strong-armed me. I think if she knew how unprofessional her granddaughter was, she might have spared me the embarrassment.
Glancing at the cars outside the bridal shop once more, I get an idea and push back from my desk. Grabbing the box of chocolate croissants, I make my way out of my office and to my neighbor.
Happily Ever After is right next door and shares a wall with my law office. The bridal boutique must be really successful with how busy they stay. I’ve seen license plates from three states away regularly, so the Schaffers must have an established name. Thinking about Valerie and how mad she was at me this morning makes me smile.
I’m practically beaming from the memory as I walk into the shop and hold out the box of pastries.
“Good afternoon, ladies. Can I interest anyone in a chocolate croissant?”
“Tidas.” Valerie says my name like a curse and I try—and fail—to hide my smile.
The interior of the bridal shop is actually quite beautiful. The high ceilings have stained glass windows in them, and the mirrors on one side of the shop reflect the light like diamonds. There’s a stage in front of the mirrors that I assume is for the brides to stand on when trying on wedding dresses. There’s a pale pink velvet couch in front of it, where two women now sit. One of them starts to laugh and then puts a hand over her mouth like she’s going to get in trouble.
Not paying Valerie any attention, I walk over to the couch and hold the open pastry box in front of them. Though it’s damn hard not to look her way. “They were made fresh this morning, and I can’t possibly eat any more. I’d hate for them to go to waste.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have bought them all.” Valerie moves in front of me and crosses her arms over her chest, displaying her ample cleavage in her navy blue knit sweater that is cut entirely too low for business casual.
Ignoring her statement, I turn to the ladies on the couch. “Can I interest you in a prenuptial agreement?”
“You must be Tidas,” one of them says as she takes a croissant. “We’ve heard all about you.”
“You’ve been talking about me?” I turn to Valerie and see her cheeks flush scarlet. “Val, I’m flattered.”
“I only told them about you because you’re so desperate for business you come over here and try to drum up clients.”
I shrug as I turn the box back to the women on the couch and watch as the other takes a treat. “It’s a preventive measure.” I wink at the dark-haired woman on the couch, and she laughs.
“Okay, you’ve given your sales pitch. Time to go.”
“Are you sure I can’t offer you a consultation?” I ask the room, and one of the ladies snorts.
“You really are something.” She looks at Valerie and then at me. “Does this kind of thing ever work?”
“Well…” I place the pastry box on the small table in front of the couch. There’s one left, and I’ve seen Valerie give it a side glance twice. “If you call ruffling Miss Shaffer’s feathers a success, then it’s a ten out of ten.”
I can practically hear Valerie roll her eyes as I tuck my hands into my slacks and walk toward the door. Before I push it open, I stop and glance back at the woman, who is fuming mad.
“Oh, and Miss Shaffer, keep your trash out of my bin. You’ve got your own at the end of the block.”
Her mouth pops open in a perfect circle, but she doesn’t deny it. I bid goodbye to the women in the shop and walk outside into the sunshine.
Damn it, why does it feel so good to play with fire?
Chapter Three
VALERIE
“Say it ain’t true, Val. You’ve really been breaking rules and throwing things in that hunk’s trash?” Julie teases me. I never break the rules. This doesn’t even count as breaking one if you ask me. Tidas just dislikes me so much that he’ll pick at anything he can. I don’t understand why he always has to poke at me. It never ends.
“Yeah. Are you breaking rules?” Gracie fights back a smile. Somehow she makes it sound dirty.
“No, I just didn’t think it was a big deal.” I run my hands down the front of my dress, trying my best to smooth out wrinkles that aren't really there. “Neither of them get full, and it’s the same trash company. I don’t see the problem.” I get flustered, and Gracie bursts into laughter at my response.
“It’s not a big deal. Sometimes the boxes are heavy, and it’s late.” I actually stomp my foot this time, and Gracie laughs even harder.
“I’m sure he’d help you take them out.” Julie smirks. They are both having way too much fun with this. Again they’re making it sound dirty—and I don’t mean trash.
“As if I’d ever ask him for anything.” I hate how much that man gets to me. I don’t understand why he can’t leave me alone. “In case you didn’t notice, he doesn't like me.”
Now Julie joins Gracie in her laughter. Even more annoyed, I grab the box with the one lone pastry in it and march to the back of the shop.
I don’t stop until I’m at his dumpster and then I peek over my shoulder to make sure no one is looking. I sneak one yummy bite of the pastry, thinking that’s all I’ll have, but one turns into two, and I end up eating all of it. I angrily throw the empty box into his dumpster before I go back inside. Thankfully, the girls have gotten their laughing fit together.
“He’s not a hunk,” I mutter as I pass by them both. “You better not let Jacks hear you calling Tidas that either. He’ll burn this building down.” Then again, maybe I’ll tell Jacks myself and have this problem solved really quick.
“I am thoroughly in love with my Jacks, but I can still scope out a man for my girlfriends,” Julie tosses back at me before she fully thinks that over. “Tell him and I’ll end you,” she quickly adds. “Then again, when he gets jealous…” She fans herself with her hand.
“We’ve all seen what happens when Jacks gets jealous. We went to school with you guys,” Gracie says.
I don’t miss the longing in her voice, probably because I have the same longing inside of me. How can I not? My life is filled with women getting their happily ever after. I’m wondering if I’ll ever get mine.
My parents and even my grandmother who ran this place found their forever when they were young and are still together to this day. People doubted them because they were so young, but they showed everyone, and it wasn't out of spite either. They are all still madly in love, and that’s exactly what I want.
It’s just too bad I don't see that in my future. Especially with knowing everyone around here. I knew when I was in high school no one from here was going to be the one for me. I thought maybe the upside to Mom making me go away to college was that I would fall in love. Nope.
“How is he going to be about the bachelorette party then?” I ask to change the subject from Tidas.
The man already takes up too much of my life. He’s always popping up wherever I am. I don’t need my best friends talking about him too. I’m not sure how they’ve gone this long without bumping into him. God knows I do all the freaking time.
“I haven’t really brought it up,” Julie admits. “He’ll deal.” She waves her hand like it won’t be a thing.
Yeah, we’ll see about that. I’d bet anything he ends up crashing it. I won’t even be mad at him for it. The man is so in love with Julie, and he’s waited a long time to finally get to marry her.
“Are you ready to see what I have for you?” I ask as I dip into the back of the shop to grab the rack I put together for the bride.
“Please. I’m dying to see what you’ve picked out for me.” I pull the rack toward the front and over to the dressing room. I only let one bride in at a time so we have the place all to ourselves. Both Julie and Gracie rush over to the rack.
