Dress fitting day had arrived. Beckett and his brothers had unanimously dubbed it Man Day with a little side of five-year-old girl. Their plans included pizza and wings for lunch, video games, and whatever would tire Aurora out the fastest.
“You’re sure you don’t mind?” Gia asked, brow furrowed as Beckett tossed Aurora over his shoulder. Her little girl giggled so hard Gia was afraid she’d throw up her breakfast.
“Gianna. Go,” Beckett said, jerking his chin toward the door.
“Bye, Mama!” Aurora shrieked with glee as Beckett jostled her.
Beckett met her gaze, one solid, searing second in which she knew exactly what he was thinking. He wanted her, wanted to kiss her good-bye. But they could only share a look as Jax jogged down the hallway.
“Did someone say they wanted to eat lollipops for lunch and play video games all day?” he asked.
Aurora reached for him. “Me! I do! I do!”
Beckett tossed the little girl to his brother and sent Gia a slow wink. “Have a good time today.” He turned and sauntered after his brother.
“They have no idea what they’re getting into,” Gia said to Evan.
“Don’t worry, Gia. There’s three of them,” Evan said, patting her arm. “It’ll take her a little while before she wears them all out.”
“Just promise me one thing,” she said, laying a hand on her son’s shoulder. “Send me pictures if she talks them into a tea party.”
Evan patted the pocket with his phone. “I’m on it.”
A horn honked outside. “Okay, I’d better go. Good luck.” She dropped a kiss on Evan’s head. “Call me if anything catastrophic happens.”
“Blood that requires stitches or a fire that requires professional intervention,” he said, reciting their family definition of the word.
Sandwiched between Joey and Phoebe in the back of Summer’s new SUV, Gia let herself fret about Beckett and the kids on the ride. Summer’s mother, Annette, rode shotgun. She had a tall, slim build and wore her blonde hair short, with a stylish side sweep. Her blue eyes caught Gia’s in the rearview mirror.
“Don’t worry, Gia. They’re three grown men, they can handle her,” she said.
“The only thing you should be concerned about is if ‘dumbass’ becomes part of her vocabulary after spending the day with my sons,” Phoebe said, patting her arm.
“I don’t know why I’m so worried,” Gia sighed. But that was a lie. It wasn’t that she didn’t think the Pierces could handle her little fiery ball of energy. It was that she was afraid that after spending a day as primary caregiver, Beckett would start to reconsider his feelings for her.
She was a package deal. And she needed Beckett to be okay with that.
The dress shop was an hour outside the city. Summer had worked with the owner, Sashi, before on a piece on custom gowns and had fallen in love with the woman’s breathtaking handiwork.
Summer insisted that Joey and Gia try on the bridesmaids dress first to make sure they approved.
Eggplant in color, the full-length chiffon skirt floated rather than hung. Subtle beading woven throughout the layers caught the light here and there. The fitted bodice dipped just low enough to be interesting without racy and the open back took the entire dress to another level.
“Oh my God, Joey. This dress is amazing,” Gia said, stroking the fabric with her palm.
She heard Joey’s dressing room door open and then the whisper soft rustle of chiffon. “Yeah, I guess it’s okay.”
Gia opened her door. Joey was turning this way and that in the three-way mirror.
“Holy freaking crap, Joey. You look incredible.”
She’d released her rich, coffee-toned hair from its tail, leaving it in soft waves framing her face and shoulders. The top fit her like a second skin, highlighting her subtle curves and slim, strong shoulders.
Joey turned around again and frowned. “It’s not bad.”
“Joey. Jax is going to have an aneurysm when he sees you in that dress.”
The corners of her full lips turned up just a little, and Gia caught a distinct sparkle in her warm, brown eyes.
“Well, let’s get out there and show off so we can go to lunch,” Joey said with a nod. She turned around and studied Gia.
“You look good,” she said with a nod. “Beckett’s going to shit bricks.”
They hustled out of the dressing area to the front where Summer, Phoebe, and Annette waited. Phoebe and Annette had flutes of champagne.
“Oh!” Summer said, bringing her hands to her cheeks. “You two look amazing! Please tell me you like the dress. I know you’ll never be able to wear it again. I’m not the delusional bride who promises that. And Gia, we’ll have yours hemmed. But it’s just so perfect for both of you. Do you like it?”
“Summer, its stunning,” Gia said. “You couldn’t have picked a more beautiful dress.”
“Or more beautiful bridesmaids,” Summer reminded them. “What do you think, Joey?”
“It’s purple. Very purple,” Joey said, studying herself in the mirror. “But I do have a concern.”
Summer’s face fell by a degree. “What’s that?”