The Wedding Dress Diaries

The Wedding Dress Diaries

A Wedding Season Novella

Aimee Carson

Get in the bridal spirit with this prequel novella to the fabulous new Mills & Boon Modern Tempted contemporary romance series, The Wedding Season!

Bridal shop owner Amber Davis dreaded the moment she’d run in to Parker Robinson while working on his sister’s wedding. She’d spent every summer in the Hamptons with his family as a kid, fantasizing about kissing him. But she’s shocked to discover that the confident boy who’d given Amber her first taste of love has become a man who mocks its very existence.

Parker can’t believe the girl who used to follow him around has grown into a beautiful woman—one with some very naughty ideas when she fits him for his tux. But Amber also knows why he’s shut everyone out of his life. She’s not the kind of woman Parker gets involved with...even if he can’t keep his hands off her.

Amber doesn’t do one-night stands or casual hookups, but she’s wanted Parker long enough to make him an exception—especially if she can convince him he needs love in his life, too.

Look for all four books in the Wedding Season series from Mills & Boon Modern Tempted: The Unexpected Wedding Guest by Aimee Carson, Girl Least Likely to Marry by Amy Andrews, Maid of Dishonor by Heidi Rice and Last Groom Standing by Kimberly Lang.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

About the Author

Copyright

One

‘Can I get you a drink?’

The busty brunette behind the bar at the exclusive Manhattan restaurant was addressing the guy at the end of the counter. And, when Amber spied the man, she did a sharp double take that would surely leave her with a crick in her neck.

Parker Robinson.

Blinking, Amber adjusted to the sight as the sounds of Reese’s engagement party faded.

When Parker didn’t respond, the bartender repeated, ‘Can I get you a drink?’

Attention finally caught, Parker drew the sexy smirk like a gun from a holster. No doubt he wasn’t even aware. It was more like an automatic response, like most people would say please or thank you or mutter an excuse me when they accidentally stepped on someone’s toe.

‘Why, yes, you can,’ Parker said.

The brunette puffed up her chest, clearly pleased she’d finally earned an attentive smile, and Amber resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Apparently Reese hadn’t exaggerated; her half brother’s attitude toward women hadn’t changed much since adolescence. Amber had witnessed that grin directed at girls often enough, that knowing twinkle in his eye communicating that females liked what they saw, and he knew it.

A cocky confidence that, on Parker Robinson, was more endearing than annoying.

The sun-streaked blond hair of his teens was now a light brown with leftover golden highlights, like keepsakes from his childhood. He still wore it tousled with soft spikes up front, and the little-boy, rough-and-tumble look totally suited him, hair begging to be tugged. Years ago she’d longed to do just that, to pull him in for a kiss. Had fantasized about him teaching her how. And while his hair hadn’t changed much, his masculine features were better defined, cheekbones and jaw now sharp enough to cut cold butter. Yet he straddled youth and maturity with an ease to be envied, that cocky teen housed in the bad-boy adult making a killer combination.

His gaze collided with Amber’s and held, and a pit yawned wide beneath her stomach. The brilliant green eyes hadn’t faded with time. Pulse pounding, she realized, belatedly, that he’d caught her staring, and the shameful memory barreled into her. The day when he’d called her out on exactly that. But she wasn’t the besotted little preteen anymore, the one that had followed him around like an adoring puppy.

‘You a friend of Reese’s?’ he asked.

Amber was proud she didn’t laugh out loud. Amazing. Ironic that the guy she’d spent every summer in the Hamptons with from the ages of seven to twelve—the guy she’d loved from the ages of eight to fifteen—didn’t even remember her.

Though, in his defense, she’d been in the sixth grade the last time he saw her.

In jeans and a leather jacket the color of burnt butter, Parker picked up his glass and came closer, moving with that easy earthy stroll that came with a confidence few could dream of. It had been captivating on Parker the teen.

On Parker the man, it was absolutely breathtaking.

He slid onto the bar stool next to hers and leaned his elbow on the counter, facing Amber. Parker cleared his throat and lowered his head a little to look up at her face—most likely a stupefied face—as if worried her lack of response meant she wasn’t completely sane.

Parker seated this close was definitely threatening her sanity.

‘Are you a friend of Reese and Dylan’s?’ he repeated.

It had been fifteen years since she’d seen him, had been close enough to touch. She gripped her glass and sipped her wine, hoping she looked more sophisticated than she felt.

Amber managed a nod of her head. ‘I’ve known Reese a long time.’ I’ve known you a long time. ‘Why would I be at their engagement party if I didn’t know them?’

‘Could be a party crasher, here for the expensive food and free drinks.’

It was surreal to be having this conversation with her childhood crush, protected by her unknown identity. Because she had plenty to be embarrassed about when it came to Parker.

From the time Reese had asked her to handle her wedding, Amber had been dreading the moment she had to measure this man for his tux—an event that needed to occur soon. But she’d thought she could relax tonight because Reese had said Parker would never show. He hadn’t attended any of the other parties for his half sister and her fiancé. So why had he come now?

‘Is that why you’re here?’ she said with a smile. ‘For the free food?’

Parker let out a bitter scoff. ‘If only.’

He didn’t want to be here.

The realization hit her with all the force of a sledgehammer on steroids. It fit with what Reese had told her, the man who refused to have anything to do with the Michael family anymore. Not that Amber could blame him. But ever since her engagement, his sister had been trying to pull him back into, well, if not into the fold, at least within touching distance.

He tipped his head with an almost boyish curiosity. ‘Do I know you?’ he said, and Amber’s heart froze. ‘I definitely think I know you.’

He pursed his lips contemplatively, and Amber wished her memory of his mouth hadn’t been so spot on. He did have the most gorgeous lips in the world. Full. Sinful. Utterly kissable. Pretty savvy of a stupid twelve-year-old to notice, if she did say so herself.

Enjoying the rare sense of power in Parker’s presence, she sent him another smile. ‘Maybe.’

‘A name would be helpful,’ he said.

Amber let out an overly thoughtful hmm, as if she were seriously considering giving him the information. But suddenly, the moment she’d been dreading, her first meeting with Parker, was more about fun than fear.

‘That would be too easy,’ she said.

Parker’s understanding smile at her tone set her pulse fluttering. ‘Okay,’ he said, settling in as if for a prolonged conversation, the light in his eyes sizzling. ‘I’ll bite.’

God, she wished he would.

‘Do I know you through your work?’ he said.

Amber bit back the smile. ‘Could be,’ she said with laughter in her tone. ‘I used to be a seamstress, but now I own my own bridal shop.’

He actually recoiled as if slapped, and the look on his face as he backpedaled made her laugh. Clearly, Parker Robinson was offended at the thought of frequenting an establishment that dealt with weddings.

‘Definitely not through your work,’ he said gruffly. ‘Maybe through mine?’

Amber pretended not to know. ‘What do you do?’

He narrowed his eyes at her. ‘I work Homicide down at the fifty-seventh precinct. Maybe I interviewed you as a witness before?’

‘Maybe I was once a suspect,’ she said as coolly as she could.

The roll of his eyes, that sarcastic ‘yeah, right’ expression made her suddenly sentimental. She remembered that look from her childhood, and a small part of her was glad he hadn’t changed too much.

‘Do I look too innocent?’ she said.

‘No,’ he said bluntly. ‘I just remember all my perps.’ His face grew tight, and a harsh laugh escaped his mouth, and he slid his eyes to somewhere beyond her shoulders. ‘And yeah, you look too sweet. But, trust me,’ he said with a light tone that he didn’t quite pull off. He took a sip of his drink and carefully set the glass down, his tone distant. ‘No one is as innocent as they look.’

There was a hard set about his eyes, the crinkles at the edges more about experience than age. A bitter fatigue that had started in his teens and now was fully realized.

That bold green gaze was back on her, intrigued. Interested. ‘Maybe we attended the same school?’

She shook her head.

‘Did we meet at a party once?’ he asked.

Enjoying his frustrated curiosity, she sipped her wine. ‘Try again.’

His eyes narrowed in thought. ‘Well, I know we haven’t slept together,’ Parker went on, sending her stomach plummeting to her toes.

God, only in her teenage dreams.

‘Because, although you’re certainly attractive,’ he said, ‘you’re definitely not my type.’

Amber ignored the sudden surge in her pulse and maintained an even tone. ‘Is that the only reason we couldn’t have slept together?’ she said. ‘Because I’m not your type?’

The reflexive sexy smirk lit up his face.

And as the words finally sank in, she drew back a touch in surprise. ‘Wait,’ she said. ‘What type do you think I am?’

His gaze traveled down her body, leaving her hot in places that normally...weren’t. Her A-line dress was simple, with a classic cut. Nothing seductive. No overt ‘I’m yours for the taking’ in the way it clung to her body.

He hiked a brow dryly. ‘You own a bridal shop, which means you believe in the institution of marriage.’

‘And you don’t?’ she said softly, only pretending the statement was a question.

Sure enough, a bitter sound escaped those beautiful lips. Not that Amber could blame him.

‘Hell, no,’ he said.

Heart bleeding a little for him then, she remembered the day she’d found him by the dock, devastated by his mother’s words.

You were a mistake.

Amber had grown up knowing she was wanted. Secure in the knowledge her parents had been devoted to each other, were devoted to her. Her dad had died when she was a child, and her mother had loved him so much she’d never remarried. And Amber’s bridal store revolved around proving that love existed every day, with every client.

But Parker...

Well, Parker’s experiences were opposite in every respect.

And the boy who’d given Amber her first taste of romantic love—unrequited, but love nonetheless—had grown into a man who mocked its very existence.

‘You’ve made weddings your business,’ he said. ‘So, obviously you believe.’

‘And that’s how you’ve concluded I’m not your type?’ she said. ‘Because of the dress I’m wearing and what I do for a living?’

He sat back a bit to study her, no teasing, seductive tone now, but a kind of gaze that could see through your soul. ‘No,’ he said, shaking his head softly. The thoughtful look on his face was deep and, for the first time, he actually looked at her. Really looked at her. ‘It’s the light in your eyes,’ he said with a simple shrug. ‘You still believe.’

Her lungs slowly collapsed, forcing the air from her body. Believed in what? In love?

In life?

The thought instantly drained from her mind when he shifted closer, and the scent of his leather jacket drifted in the air.

‘I can’t remember who you are.’ Simmering gaze on hers, he said, ‘How about throwing a poor guy a hint?’

‘Okay,’ Amber said. After the years of crushing on Parker the teen, now that he was looking at her as a desirable woman, she wanted to work the moment for all she was worth. ‘You once pressed your lips against mine.’

Parker’s eyes widened, and he dropped his gaze to her mouth, pulling all the oxygen from the atmosphere. Amber’s breathing increased in an attempt to suck in enough air.

‘Awesome.’ His voice slid lower, like heated silk. ‘I approve of my choices.’

He leaned close, his eyes glowing, sparking embers she’d thought long dead—those secret pieces of a young girl in the throes of her first sexual attraction. Not really understanding the full extent of what she felt.

His teasing grin was hot enough to light the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. ‘Did I get to second base?’

Skin vibrating at the thought, her smile was strained.

‘Sorry, only first,’ she said.

And technically, it was probably only half base, but she was having too much fun to clarify the exact nature of how their lips had touched.

‘Did I slip you the tongue?’ he said.

‘No.’

‘My loss,’ he said, and his mouth parted a bit, as if imagining righting that previous wrong.

The tiny peek at his tongue sent a shot of adrenaline through her body, surely leaving her glowing. Fine hairs standing on end.

‘And as first kisses went,’ she pressed on, ‘it could have been better.’

Mostly by being real.

The offended expression on Parker’s face was comical. ‘Could have been— Wait...first kiss?’ He shot her a skeptical look. ‘Either this was a really long time ago or you’ve confused me with someone else.’

‘I definitely don’t have you confused with someone else.’ When he looked at her as though he was beginning to suspect she truly wasn’t sane, Amber sent him a smile and gave up the pretense. ‘I practically grew up at your mother’s house because my mom worked as her personal assistant,’ she said. ‘Which was the fancy title for glorified gofer girl.’

There was a three-heartbeat pause that felt like thirty as Parker’s expression remained blank.

‘I’m Amber Davis.’

‘Amber Davis,’ he said slowly, as if pulling the name from a memory long buried. Recognition finally shot through his face, and his shoulders snapped back. ‘Well, hell,’ he breathed out. ‘You’re the one who tried to drown.’

Two

Fifteen years earlier

The Hamptons, Long Island, New York

Swimswimswim

Eyes fixed on the dock, the chant rang on and on in Amber’s head. She’d lost sight of her paddleboard ages ago, swept away by the Sag Harbor current. Crap, she was so getting in trouble for this.

Mom’s gonna kill me if I drown.

A fresh slice of panic surged. How was she going to marry Parker now if she died? At the stupid age of twelve. Jeez, she’d never even been kissed before! Frowning, she paddled harder. She should have played Spin the Bottle at Nancy Kruger’s last month. Okay, so Amber probably would have been stuck kissing Jimmy Stevens, better known as lizard tongue, but at least she wouldn’t be drowning with virgin lips. An epically lame end to the suckage that was her life.

All except for Parker.

Parker.

So what if he was in the eleventh grade and she was only in sixth. She’d loved him since she was eight years old. He’d briefly been replaced with Justin Timberlake from ’N Sync, but even she knew that was pretty unlikely to happen. And Parker was cuter. She wanted to marry him so bad that she’d picked out her wedding dress ages ago. Course, it had taken her four months to whittle it down to her top five favorites. Her obsession with tulle and satin and lace was growing pretty strong. This summer, in a fit of boredom, she’d planned the whole ceremony. Reese would have been her maid of honor cuz she was Parker’s half sister and Amber’s sort-of friend.

Stupidstupidstupid

Sneaking off and forgetting the life vest. But she’d really really wanted to get better on the paddleboard. Mostly cuz she wanted to impress Parker. Last summer he’d taught her how to stand and maneuver a turn, but this summer he was more interested in kissing Susie Frances. Amber scowled. And he never helped her bait a hook or capture crabs anymore.

The current was scarily strong, and the dumb dock was slipping farther away. The chill from the water seeped deeper with every passing minute, despite how hard Amber swam. Teeth chattering, her arms and legs grew heavy. So much so it was a struggle to control them now.

A sob ripped from her throat, and she fought back the fear, closing her eyes.

Giveupgiveupgiveup

Her muscles screamed for a break, her lips quivering, the taste of salt a mix of seawater and frustrated tears. The furious pounding of her heart was now just as much about terror as tiredness, and she was sure her chest was gonna explode.

Her thoughts began to drift and grow foggy. She knew there was something she was supposed to be doing. Swimming? Finding Reese?

‘Amber!’

The call shook her out of her daze. God, she really was drowning. Was she already in heaven? Now she was hearing Parker calling out her name.

The voice grew closer, the tone urgent. ‘Amber.’

Exhausted, she turned and spied Parker sprawled on his board, sleeves pushed to his elbows as he paddled toward her like a madman. She sucked in a breath, getting a mouthful of salt water that burned her throat, and she coughed and gagged, slipping beneath the surface. The cold closed over her head and she stopped fighting for a moment. It was peaceful. Quiet. And she was so, so tired; it was nice not to fight so hard to keep her head above water.

She drifted, floating, until an arm circled around her chest and heaved her up. She had a vague sensation of being hauled onto something hard, but she couldn’t move. It took too much effort to breathe.

And then there were lips on hers and warm breath filling her lungs and she had an overwhelming urge to cough again. She rolled, gagged and then threw up a bunch of salt water that stung as much coming up as going down. Shattered, she collapsed again, drifting in and out, only half-aware as Parker paddled the board for shore and dragged her up on the beach.

That was when the shivering started for real. Water dripped down his nose as Parker gathered her close, fear making deep lines in his forehead. She gazed up at him, dazed, her heart pounding from the feel of his arms cradled around her. The feel of his breath, Parker’s breath, on her cheek was awesome. But the close-up of his face was just...was just... And as she blinked, her mind clearing, it hit her.

Parker had kissed her!

Her heart fluttered like a hummingbird stuck in a cage. Okay, true, it was more like he’d given her mouth to mouth, but still... She closed her eyes, remembering the hard press of those soft lips she’d been obsessing about for years. Pressed against hers.

OMG...it was almost worth drowning for.

His dark blond hair looked brown when wet. A smattering of freckles bridged his nose, and thick lashes framed the prettiest pair of green eyes in the history of ever. Eyes that always did funny things to her stomach when they locked on hers. Used to be they’d look at her with patience and, when she was really lucky, a hint of fondness. Now that Parker had gotten older there was a lot of irritation. But it wasn’t her fault his mother made him watch out for her and Reese when Amber’s mom wasn’t around.

She clutched his arm. ‘You can’t tell my mom,’ she croaked out.

‘Aw, come on, Amber.’ Parker’s face scrunched up tight. ‘You nearly freakin’ died.’

‘I did not.’

He rolled his eyes in that ever-sarcastic ‘yeah, right’ way of his. ‘What if you get sick or something?’ he said. ‘She needs to know.’

And be grounded? Amber had been looking forward to summer vacation for months. As the daughter of Ms. Michael’s personal assistant, Amber had practically grown up in the Michaels’ home. Parker never visited his mother in the city anymore, so summer at the Hamptons was the only time she got to see him.

She pulled harder, panicking now. ‘If you tell, I’ll—I’ll—’

Her mind sputtered as she scrambled to come up with a good threat. And then a memory filled her mind. A vision of Parker, lids rimmed red, sniffing as she stumbled on him down by the dock. He’d yelled at her, of course, scrubbing at his face as he’d told her to scram. As always, her heart hurt when Parker got that look in his eyes. And the only person in the world that could make Parker that upset was his mother. It had been a long time since she’d seen him sad about his mom. Lately, his reactions more often resembled anger.

She straightened up. ‘I’ll tell Susie Frances that I caught you crying like a baby.’

His gaze flashed to hers. ‘I was not crying,’ he said. ‘I got salt water in my eyes, is all.’

They both knew it was a lie, and she fought the temptation to look away. This was too important.

‘Fine,’ he said. And then he jabbed a finger in front of her face. ‘But you have to stop the creepy stalker stuff.’

Heat flaring up her face, she was horrified by the words. Had she been that obvious?

Suddenly, she wished she’d been swallowed up by the waters of Sag Harbor. ‘Fine,’ she said, mimicking him. But then her bravery ran out, her voice growing small. ‘I don’t suppose we can find the paddleboard?’

Parker stood, and right away she missed the heat of his skin. He swiped a hand through his hair, leaving it spikier than usual. ‘The board’s long gone.’

Jeez, it all seemed so unfair. Blinking back the tears, she looked across the water. Petrified Parker would see her cry, she dragged her hand across her eyes and sniffed. Another shiver racked her body, and the rustle of clothing brought her attention back to Parker.

He’d taken off his hoodie. ‘Don’t worry about it, Ace,’ he said gruffly, pulling his sweatshirt down over her head.

Her heart soared, both from the touch and the words and the protective tone in his voice. And she’d always adored his nickname for her. She jabbed her arms into the damp sleeves, savoring the heat from his body, the smell of Parker.

‘I’ll take the blame for the board.’ Those too-beautiful lips flattened grimly. A dark look crossed his face. ‘My mom already hates me, anyway.’

A needle pricked her heart, the sharp pain familiar. Ms. Michael was all Reese Reese Reese, spoiling her daughter rotten. But Parker? He barely even existed in the Michael household. No wonder he chose to live with his dad.

‘Thanks,’ she said, hoping she wasn’t tearing up like a baby again.

His lopsided smile appeared, leaving her weak in the knees as he said, ‘Let’s get you home.’

* * *

Parker gripped his whiskey glass.

Amber Davis.

Discovering the redhead’s identity had been like a cattle-prod shock to Parker’s nervous system, his mind reeling with the memories of his youth. He struggled to ignore the beautiful woman who’d trailed after him as a kid, hanging on his every word. His every move. The one who’d witnessed his most humiliating moment.

You were a mistake.

Tossing back the rest of his drink, he tried to focus on his goals for tonight. Avoid his mother at all costs, speak to Reese and tell her no and then get the heck out of here.

Attention firmly on him, Amber asked, ‘Do you remember—?’

‘Yeah,’ he said gruffly, fixing his eyes on his empty glass. No way was he letting her finish that question. ‘I remember.’

He could feel Amber’s gaze, but he needed a minute to adjust. Several of them, actually. Because he sure as hell wasn’t ready to face the lady who, years ago, had found him sniffling like a wussy little girl.