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I take quick steps down the carpeted corridor that leads to the main showroom of Katie Rose Bridal

I had it redecorated two years ago in elegant and sophisticated tones The benches are covered in crearay It’s the perfect space to choose a dress to wear on the most important day of your life

A client walking back toward the change roo on It has a sweetheart neckline and a lace train It’s a beautiful dress that has brought a tear to her eye

This is exactly why I bought this boutique

“You look stunning,” I whisper to her as we pass each other

I round the corner to the showrooether

One of the woather around her The tiara on her head is a clear sign that she’s the bride-to-be

I smile as I near her “You must be Annalise”

“That’sdress”

“I’m Kate” I reach out to take her hand in mine “I’m excited to help you do just that”

“You have perfect ti, Kate” Her hand flies in the air next to my shoulder “My man is here with his best man”

I turn to face the double glass doors that open onto the sidewalk in front of the boutique

Time stops

My breath catches

I stare at the twotoward us

One is blond with a beard and a blank look on his face as he takes in the dresses, veils, and vases of fresh flowers that decorate the boutique

The other man is t

he one I can’t take my eyes off of

His hair is brown, his eyes a shade of green I’ll never forget and the sht sky

He slows as he nearsup to touch his chest

“Katie?” His voice ruh me as deeply as it did the first time I heard it

I nod,as slow as ti with little explanation and a broken heart

“Gage,” I say his nae Burke”

Chapter 2

Kate