Free Always A Bride by Darlene Henderson Page A

as she stepped into the next dress . There was a long line of buttons up the back and Sam's fingers nimbly hooked each one into a loop of silken thread.
    “ Yes, I know the woman Harvey's with. My rival in high school. I was the cheer captain and she was the alternate. I was the homecoming queen and she was the runner-up. I dated Harvey, captain of the football team, and she dated the benchwarmer. She always wanted whatever I had. I guess she won this time.”
    “ Oh honey, I'm sure you can do so much better than that hick-town loser. He's probably gained twenty-five pounds and is starting to go bald.”
    “ Not Harvey. He's gorgeous. A doctor. He finished his undergrad in less than two years and started med school before he was twenty. He's still amazing.”
    “ So go get him, girl. What's stopping you?”
    “ He's here with Molly. They must be engaged. There's no other logical reason for him to be here. Besides I saw the way she was touching him.” Alex ran her hands over the cool silk that hugged her body. “Hand me the shoes that go with this dress.” The hair stylist finished an updo better suited for the new gown. There was so much hustle and bustle around them, Alex could barely think. Backstage at a fashion show was always controlled chaos and, usually, she loved it.
    “ So what if he's engaged. Look at you, honey. You have the perfect figure. A tiny waist and long, sexy legs. You could do nothing with your hair and still look good. You are drop-dead gorgeous. Heck, if I were straight, you'd have to beat me with a stick to keep my hands off you.”
    “ But if Harvey's engaged. Molly must have something.” Alex frowned.
    “ Alex, baby, you've got to turn that frown upside down because we're on. Now.”
    “ The show must go on, I suppose.” Alex glossed her lips and prepared to face the crowd. She normally loved watching the crowd as she strolled down the runway. The eager faces of the young girls delighted her. The almost-guarded excitement of the older brides was a joy to behold. Then there were the mothers, who either looked as excited as their daughters or slightly nervous. Now all she could think about was Harvey. Her heart pounded and her palms began to sweat.
    How can I go out there knowing he's here?
    Alex breathed deep and headed down the runway. She forced a smile and tried to avoid looking in Harvey's direction, but there he was, smiling that same old smile she'd known and loved since she was a girl. The very sight of him sent her heart racing. She swayed ever so slightly and focused on making sure her knees didn't buckle. She squeezed Sam's arm and willed her feet to move, placing one deliberate step in front of the other. The rest of the crowd became a blur. She could only see Harvey. She had to get away. Frank wouldn't like it, but she sped up the pace.
    She finally made it off the runway and collapsed into a chair backstage. She had a break, but it wasn't very long. She had to mingle with the crowd.
    The theme of th e event was “Something Borrowed, Something Blue” and she had talk to the prospective brides about gown rentals and other money-saving ideas. The blue part of the theme had begun to get a bit overwhelming. Everything was blue—blue tuxedos, blue decorations, blue flowers, and even blue foods.
    After several deep breaths, Alex pulled up the train of her dress, changed from the white satin pumps into her favorite pair of sandals and prepared to head out into the crowd. She said a little prayer she'd be able to avoid Harvey. But she moved into the room filled with people and all she could see was Harvey…right in the middle of her path. There he was, just feet away and looking right at her.
    “ Alex.” Harvey waved as he called her name.
    His sexy, southern drawl sent shivers down her spine. It had been at more than a year since she'd last seen him and even longer since they had spent any time alone together. Alex was always amazed at how deeply Harvey affected her. She turned