I had such a great time at the BBQ. The women welcomed me with open arms and treated me like I was one of them. It was a nice shift from the events I was used to attending. Usually, the people I meet are only there to network and make connections to get ahead. You don't make friends, you make contacts who will benefit you in the future.
As CEO, they always wanted to link up with me, even if they thought I was too young or didn't like me because they didn't think I deserved it or that it was handed to me. All things I've been told to my face. But they still wanted me for what I could do for them. Generally, people like them, well, really there’s not much they can do for me, so I don't waste my time.
But I felt a real connection with these women. Something I realized last night I was sorely lacking in my life. I didn't feel like they would be trashing me behind my back the second I left the room. Hell, Savannah invited me to her wedding next weekend. Brice insisted I go with him. I guess he's the best man and wants a buffer from all of Savannah's Nashville friends that will be there. Can't say I blame the guy. Though I can happily imagine Brice in a tux.
That leads me to today. I need a dress to wear to said wedding and, of course, Brice knows the perfect shop downtown. It's owned by one of the ladies his mom goes to church with.
"Come on already," Brice calls with a hint of irritation in his voice.
I'm taking longer to do my hair because I want to make sure the dress goes with how I plan to wear it. But he's a guy, so he doesn’t understand.
"Okay, I'm ready."
His eyes run over me slowly like it’s his hands touching me all over. I wish it was his hands on me. Lord, what is wrong with me? He's taking pity on me and invited me to his friend's wedding and I'm here wishing it was a date. I need to knock these thoughts off.
"Your hair looks nice. I still don't get why you need to make sure it will look good with the dress."
"Because I don't have my hair styling stuff here, so there are very limited things I can do. Some dresses require an updo to really make them work, so If I have my hair done like this, I can make sure it all works together."
"They’re just having a simple country wedding at a small country church. The bride herself will be in cowboy boots."
Exasperated, I say, "Come on. Let’s just go get a dress and then I’ll come home and take my daily nap so your growly doctor side can rest happy."
Brice has been insistent on me taking a nap each day to make sure I don't overdo it. Part of me wonders if he just wants a few hours a day without me around. I guess I can't blame him, as I've been in his space for several days now. I was really trying to get home to Dallas in the next few days, but now with the wedding, I’m not in a hurry.
Normally, being away from the office this long would have me in a state of panic, but with my dad back there, I know it's handled. I have no desire to rush back, at least not right now. With the excuse of the wedding to keep me here until this weekend, I plan to stay.
We park in front of a row of shops on the main street, and as always Brice comes around to my side of the truck and helps me out, even though we both know I can do it on my own. I wonder if he keeps doing it just to be able to have that brief moment of his hands on me. Because that is why I’m letting him. Horrible, I know.
When we walk into the shop, I expect to see someone around my parent's age, but the woman behind the counter is our age. She’s talking to a man in a suit, so she nods to us and we begin looking at the dresses.
"Is that her?" I ask.
"Yeah."
"I was expecting someone older," I chuckle.
"Nope, and yes, my mom did try to set me up with her. We both politely declined."
As we’re looking at the dresses, snippets of conversation start floating over that sound like contract talks.
"Who is that man?" I ask.
"I don't know. I've never seen him before."
While I pull a few dresses to try on, I strain to listen. Then I move to the accessories which are near the counter and closer to them.
"It's everything we talked about on the phone. You just sign it and I have a check for you right here," he says.
Something about the way he is pushing her to sign the contract isn't sitting well with me.
"Well, I don't know. This is a lot to process," she says.
"It’s great exposure to have your stuff sold in Dallas, too. The city folk there will eat up your handmade stuff."
She's hesitant, and that means her gut is telling her no.
"Hey, Brice, hold these for me." I hand him the dresses I pulled.