He didn’t know about Maisey being his Christmas bride. Then he saw her and nothing seemed to matter anymore. Old dredged up memories, legal waivers. All gone. She was the perfect Christmas bride. Absolutely, and without a doubt. He could do nothing more than stare. Her dress was the purest white silk, contrasting with the blackness of her hair that was combed into a crown of curls. The dress hugged every curve of her beautiful body as if the dress was expertly cut exclusively for her. Christmas red gloves covered her hands to her elbows. Some type of red ribbon adorned her throat.
As beautiful as she looked, it was her face that captivated him. Perfectly symmetrical features with espresso brown eyes he could lose himself into. Her full lips were painted the same Christmas shade as her gloves. The plan to say goodbye forever suddenly faded into insignificance. If it were possible, he was falling in love with Maisey, and still didn’t know her very well. What he did know he liked—a lot—and he really thought their relationship had the potential to grow so much more.
Of course, Maisey was angry with him for standing her up Thanksgiving night, and rightly so. Plus, he had never found the right time to tell her about his own issue. That in itself, might be the deal breaker anyway.
He inhaled a deep breath of confidence and strode over to her. “You look absolutely lovely, Maisey. A perfect Christmas bride.”
“Thank you. You look great, too.” Her tone was still cool, but it sounded more like hurt rather than anger now. “You know, you don’t have to do this, Sean.”
He reached for her gloved hand and pressed a kiss against it. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”
Before she could comment, Blythe stepped in. “Yes, just like that. A perfect Christmas couple who are madly in love and newly married, anticipating a perfect forever future.”
He thought he spotted a grimace cross Maisey’s face. This might very well be a long morning.
It turned out to be one of the best experiences of Maisey’s life. Even if it was only playing a bride. With her attic workspace turned into a Christmas wonderland, and dressed in the wedding gown she embellished herself into a one-of-a-kind creation, she was twirled and spun, and held close, and looked upon adoringly by her pseudo husband while a photographer snapped what seemed like hundreds of photos. There was the cutting of the fake cake, his hand on top of hers as they pretended to cut into the tall, white wonder of Styrofoam and paint. Then a champagne toast. With real champagne! Maisey had to admit to herself, he was good at playing a groom. Of course, he already been through a wedding and marriage before, and still carrying around some of the baggage from it. Standing her up last night was proof of that. Still, she wouldn’t let what happened—or didn’t happen—the evening before, ruin this experience.
“Okay, dolls, just a few more…the big kiss between the bride and groom!”
Even though she and Sean had kissed before, it felt weird, given their unresolved issues, and a dozen or so strangers watching every move. Suddenly the heat from the lights, and the champagne on an empty stomach, caused a sweat to break out on the back of her neck. As crazy as it seemed, as close to a faint as she was, she feared her makeup would start to run and ruin her face.
Sean swooped in and wrapped an arm around her back and steadied her against him. “Are you okay? Even with the makeup, you suddenly turned pale.” There was so much concern in his blue eyes, she wanted to meld into him. She really liked this guy, but after last night...
“It’s the heat…and the lights…and too much champagne,” she managed to say.
“Do you want to stop?” he asked.
A fan from across the room sent out a gentle breeze, and the woozy feeling started to lift.
“Where was that fan ten minutes ago?” she whispered to him.
He chuckled and pressed a light kiss against her cheek.
“Don’t smear the makeup yet!” Blythe gasped.
“Ready?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Go for it.” Maisey had to keep the ear to hear grin from her face. She was supposed to be the demure new bride. One who completely put her budget wedding together with the help of Hand-Me-Down-Bride and Elegant Bride Direct.
He took her in his arms, and dipped her backwards, and pressed his lips to hers. When he pulled back a few inches and locked his eyes to hers, there was so much emotion, and she knew he would never drop her. Or leave her hanging again.
Maisey sighed with relief when Blythe and her crew packed up and left her house. The dress was removed and back on its padded hanger, the shoes boxed, and all of the thick, photographic makeup was washed away. She was grateful for the upcoming photo spread on Elegant Bride Direct, and it was fun getting dressed up like a Christmas bride, but she was glad to be finished, and couldn’t wait to see the photos and the blog spread.
It was time to see where her relationship with Sean stood. She only hoped he had a plausible explanation for not showing up the night before, and leaving her hanging without even a phone call. She poured coffee, and invited Sean to stay, although he didn’t seem in any hurry to leave.