Back to Me without you (Sibling Love Book 1) (13 page)

Abby was making her way through the parking lot of one of the biggest shopping centres in Sydney. It was a chilly day for spring. She headed toward the store entrance where she knew her sister would be trying on wedding dresses. She would be with her friends, who were also serving as bridesmaids. Despite Abby’s sister and maid of honour status, she wasn’t told about the shopping day planned for that morning. Thanks to social media, she had managed to pry through Jessica’s Facebook page, finding out her plans for the day.

Abby hoped that when Jessica did see her there, she wouldn’t ask her to leave. Trying on and searching for the perfect wedding dress was a big deal, especially when their mother wasn’t here. Abby didn’t like shopping. Although, if she got to bond with her younger sister then it was a sacrifice she was about to make.

Once she reached the storefront, she used her hands to peer in through the shop window looking for her sister. Sure enough, she found her rummaging through the many racks of wedding dresses with her friends and Justin’s mother. Jessica was a fussy person when it came to shopping—in general, and for special occasions. She liked vintage with sophisticated elegance whereas Abby was more casual with flair.

Abby drew in a slow deep breath and entered the shop. She heard laughter followed by a slight jingle of bells above the door echoing through the store. Faces stopped, turning toward the door. Jessica turned toward her and Abby’s heart dropped. She didn’t look too happy to see her there. Abby straightened her spine and smiled. If Jessica wasn’t glad to see her, well that was just too bad. She wasn’t going anywhere until she had at least tried to make amends.

“Can I assist you?” a sales assistant asked her.

“No, thank you,” Abby said, shaking her head. “I’m with her.” She pointed to Jessica.

“Ah! So you’re the maid of honour. Jessica’s sister. Annie?”

“It’s Abby. And yes I am,” Abby corrected the woman, tucking a loose strand of hair behind one ear. Abby’s forced smile relaxed, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Jessica had informed the sales assistant that she was the maid of honour. It was more than enough for Abby to realise that Jessica still wanted her to be part of her wedding.

They were sisters through thick and thin, through the good and bad times.

“You’re just in time,” the saleswoman replied in a friendly way. “Maybe your opinion will encourage your sister to decide what dress she’s searching for. Sisters have a way of making everything alright.”

“I’ll help in any way that I can,” Abby replied as the woman guided her towards Jessica and her friends.

Jessica kept her gaze on what looked like a never-ending rack of wedding gowns. She didn’t know why Abby was here. If she wanted to try to talk her out of marrying Justin, she could just turn right around and leave. But despite her annoyance with Abby, there was a small part of her grateful to have her big sister find her at the shop.

Jessica loved her friends—she did—but they could never hold a candle to the bond she shared with Abby.

“Hi,” was all Abby said when she approached the group. Jessica could see she was a little nervous. She knew Abby had nothing in common with her friends.

Jessica’s petite friend Adriana started with a hello in return. With her long blonde hair pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head, she sent Abby a friendly smile. Justin’s mother smiled too before taking a sip from the glass of champagne in her hand.

Meanwhile, Jessica’s other friend Raleigh—also known as the ice queen—shot daggers towards Abby. Jessica knew Raleigh didn’t like the fact that Abby turned up, or that she would be Jessica’s maid of honour. But Abby was her sister. Jess silently hoped Raleigh wasn’t going to be a bitch to Abby. Jess was loyal to her friends, but in all honesty, Raleigh could be a total bitch to someone she had an issue with. Steven had flat-out called Raleigh a conniver, but Jess always stuck up for her. Raleigh had her good side too, and she just didn’t always show it.

“I didn’t think you were going to come,” Adriana said.

Jessica hadn’t mentioned anything to her friends about her argument with her sister. They didn’t need to know there was a rift between them.

“I suppose that’s because shopping isn’t Abby’s ideal version of fun,” Raleigh purred.

Jessica sent an expression of warning in Raleigh’s direction.

Raleigh brushed her off, then wandered over to another rack of bridal dresses in an attempt to look busy.

Jessica spared a smile for Abby. “Thank you for coming, but you didn’t have to. I’ve got this under control. Besides, I know how much you despise dress shopping.”

Abby leaned in towards her sister, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Jessica felt her annoyance fade and squeezed her back. Maybe they could move past the awkwardness.

“True. I don’t like shopping much,” Abby said. “But you’re my only sister, and this is a giant step towards your future. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Thank you,” Jessica whispered, placing her head on her sister’s shoulder and fighting off tears. Jessica wasn’t sure if Abby knew just how much her attendance meant to her but she hoped she knew it meant the world.

Ten minutes passed and Jessica was still pondering over the many dress possibilities. She had managed to narrow it down to three choices. She just couldn’t choose between the three of them. They were all so beautiful. Jessica would have loved to wear every one of them. They were pricey. But Justin’s mother was willing to foot the bill for her dress so Jessica was able to find the dress of her dreams.

“I like this one,” Adriana said, choosing a beaded lace on tulle with a full hemline. Jessica had to admit it was beautiful, and she would no doubt feel like a princess wearing it. But Jessica figured any dress she chose that day would make her feel like a princess.

“That’s gorgeous, though it’s not your style, Jess. I don’t see you walking down the aisle in something like that,” Abby stated. She was spot on. She knew her sister well. Jessica preferred her dresses to have more of an elegant, sophisticated look as opposed to big princess dresses.

Raleigh rolled her eyes. Obviously, she did not agree with Abby, but to Jessica’s relief, she kept her mouth shut.

“I like this one,” Jessica said, holding it up and checking the price tag. “It’s beautiful—” Her jaw almost dropped. She quickly returned the dress to the rack.

Andrea approached. “That’s lovely! Why are you putting it back?”

“It costs too much.”

“Why don’t you let me worry about that, dear,” Andrea insisted and lifted the dress from the rack.

Jess felt herself blushing. “No. I can’t expect you to finance something as high-priced as this. You’re already paying for most of this wedding. It’s not right.”

Like Abby and Steven, Jessica was one never to take a handout. She believed she ought to make her way in the world based on accomplishment.

“Nonsense,” Andrea stated. “I’m hoping that my younger son will only marry once. It will be my pleasure to ensure that you are one beautiful bride on your wedding day.”

Her future mother-in-law was about to make Jessica cry in a good way. “Thank you,” she replied and felt her eyes fill with tears.

“You’re welcome,” Andrea hugged Jessica. “I’m sure if your mother was here, she would be so proud of you and would want to see you wearing the dress you want most in the world.”

Jessica didn’t know what to say. She was rendered speechless by Andrea’s kind generosity. Although she didn’t think Andrea should be spending so much money on a dress for someone, she didn’t know that well, Jess didn’t think Andrea was the kind of person who took no for an answer.

Before she knew what she was doing, she was trying on the gorgeous sheath gown with a bold floral embellished overlay, accentuated with shimmering crystals. Her friends and family waited for her to reappear from the dressing room. When she came out and stood before the three-way mirrors, she heard their intake of breath.

“Wow!” Adriana gasped.

“You’re beautiful, Jess!” Abby exclaimed.

“Do you think so?” Jessica asked, doing a little whirl on the spot. With all eyes on her, she felt like a princess. And she wondered if this was how Kate Middleton felt. It was a strange feeling, but something she would have to get used to when the actual day was upon her. And she was sure she would like being the center of attention for a little while.

“It’s beautiful, Jess and totally you,” Adriana squealed.

“Thank you,” Jessica said, trying to control the giddiness threatening to overtake her. “I think so too.” She turned towards her future mother-in-law and beamed. “Thank you again. So much.”

Andrea’s eyes were growing shiny with tears as well. “You’re welcome, honey. I wasn’t blessed with daughters of my own, so I’m happy to be able to share your day with you.” Then she embraced her once again.

Jessica felt truly blessed. She couldn’t have picked a better family to become a part of if she tried. She just wished that one day Abby would be fortunate enough to find someone as great as Justin.

“S
o this is fun,” Jessica piped out over the loud music pulsating through the speakers at the club. She was sitting with her fiancé, sister, brother and future brother-in-law, although she hadn’t seen much of Sam. He was taking an overseas phone call on his cell. Probably work related since he’d been gone a long time.

When the suggestion arose about going out that night, Abby half-expected herself to reject the idea, opt to stay in and write instead. It was what she usually did.

Instead, Abby had jumped at the idea to come out with her siblings.

“Mm, it is,” Abby replied with a smile. She wasn’t happy to learn she was going out with Sam, but she also didn’t have much of a choice either. She had to keep up appearances with her sister so she didn’t catch onto anything that happened between the two of them.

Both Abby and Jessica looked over at their brother who didn’t look too eager to be sitting with his sisters right now. The sour look on his face said it all.

“What’s the matter, Steven? I would have thought you would be in your element tonight,” Jessica said.

“Why would you assume that? My sisters forced me to come out them tonight when I’d much rather be doing anything other than what I am doing right now. Yeah, I’m having a barrel of fun.” Steven rolled his eyes.

“Well, there’s no need to be rude about it,” Jessica added. “Is it so wrong that I want to hang out with you both?”

“No, but it’s not like you don’t see me all the time. We still live together.”

“Not for long,” Jessica reminded him, toying with the ring on her finger. “And besides, we might live together, but we don’t exactly hang out with each other. I want to change that.”

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder. You don’t need to live in my pocket, just as I don’t with you and Abby. We’re living our lives. I think Mum and Dad would be okay with that.”

“You would,” Jessica mumbled.

Abby could see that someone caught Steven’s attention, a cute blonde across the room. She was striking and a total bombshell, and that was just from the back. When she turned around, she realised she looked familiar.

Alex.

Abby gave her brother a knowing smirk. “Well, we know where your mind went to for a moment there. Is that her?”

“Who are we talking about?” Jessica chimed into the conversation, a little confused, then followed Abby’s gaze towards the other side of the club to a woman with blonde hair who couldn’t be much older than she was.