“I don’t believe I’ve ever asked much of you.” Verna spoke in a quiet tone that gave him pause. “I want this wedding to be something very special for these two young people. Picking out a tux or a suit from a brochure isn’t the same as seeing it on a person. As I stated on our way here, you and Luke are the same size and build.”
While John had been speaking, Hope’s mouth had opened as if to second his comments. She closed it without saying a word. Since she’d tossed out the D word on the porch last evening, Hope hadn’t said much, even during dinner that evening.
The conversation at the table had been like a trip down memory lane. Verna had kept the conversation flowing as she brought up adventures the three of them had shared over the years.
Emotions had flooded back as Verna recounted biking trips along the Boise River Greenbelt, excursions to the World Center for Birds of Prey, and visits to the Old Idaho Penitentiary, including one at night, just before Halloween their senior year.
John realized that while he and Hope had never run out of things to say, they’d rarely spoken of anything substantial, including past heartaches and dreams for the future. They’d been too focused on simply being in love. Just like now, the air practically sizzled when they were in the same room. But Hope had been determined back then to wait until they were married to make love, and he’d respected that decision.
A part of him wondered if that’s why she’d been so eager to marry him . . . just so she could have her way with him. The thought made him smile. She’d certainly wasted no time embracing the benefits of married life yesterday.
“Well?” he heard Verna ask.
John grinned. “Let’s do it.”
“That’s what I like to see,” Verna said in satisfaction. “A positive attitude.”
As they strode into the elegant shop, John realized that by running off the way they did, not only had Hope been cheated out of all this, Verna had been cheated too. The knowledge that he hadn’t considered anyone’s feelings but his own was sobering.
Though they’d both felt mature and ready to take that step, looking at the situation now, John could see just how immature they’d been. He’d loved Hope and that hadn’t changed. But back then he hadn’t known what he wanted to do with his life, hadn’t even begun to become the man he was now.
If they’d stayed together, would she have become a CPA? Would he have discovered his talent for metal sculpture?
He liked to think if they’d stayed together they would have found a way to make it work. He really wanted to believe that . . .
“Instead of explaining everything to the clerk, let’s let them assume you and Hope are the bridal couple,” Verna suggested.
Hope frowned. “Why would we do that?”
“Perhaps because I don’t want to hear all the General Hospital comments,” Verna said in a lighthearted tone. “I also don’t feel like going into a lengthy explanation with one store clerk after another about Luke and Laura’s deployment.”
“I don’t like to lie—” Hope began hesitantly.
“I hoped this could be fun.” Verna’s expression had taken on that pinched look that usually indicated a migraine was on its way.
“We’ll do it your way,” John said in a soothing tone. He shot a glance at Hope. “It’ll be faster.”
Something passed between them. It was the way it used to be when they could practically read each other’s minds.
Hope looped her arm through her aunt’s. “This will be fun. I mean, what woman doesn’t like to try on a bunch of pretty dresses?”
They decided to pick out the tux first since that would go more quickly. Separate from the bridal salon, the tuxedo shop had a more masculine feel with dark-stained wood and fewer indoor plants. No one raised an eyebrow when Verna and Hope began pointing to various tuxedos they liked.
John drew the line at white tuxes, brightly colored vests, and bow ties. Once those were eliminated, he tried on a variety.
After fifteen minutes, he stepped out of the dressing room in a black mirage tuxedo, Abboud fullback vest, and black Windsor tie. The look of awe on Hope’s face told him this was the one.
“Oh my.” Hope glanced at Verna. “He looks incredible.”
“Very handsome.” Verna gave a decisive nod. Then she surprised him by stepping forward and resting her hand on his cheek. “I wish your mother could be here now.”
“Yeah, it’d be a proud moment.” John swallowed past the unexpected lump in his throat and forced a tone of levity. “To see her son shopping for wedding clothes for another guy.”
Verna ignored the comment. “She’d have been proud of the man you’ve become.”
“Thank you, th—” John cleared his throat and began again. “That means a lot.”
“Since we have John’s, I mean Luke’s, attire decided,” Hope said with a little smile, “I believe it’s my turn to play dress-up.”
“Are you really . . . excited?” John asked Hope in a low tone as Verna finalized this part of the order with the clerk.