Serenity hung the off-the-shoulder white dress on the door of the guest bedroom she was using to change. Victoria Morgan and Caro Soliz had set up a selection of gowns in the adjoining room.. She unzipped her cotton dress, hoping the neckline on the one she’d chosen worked so she wouldn’t have to spend the night trying on clothes.
From what she could tell, the Victoria original would show off her figure, but keep her modesty. She tugged the dress from the hanger but stopped when her phone rang, turning toward her bag to dig out her cell. Serenity didn’t recognize the number with the Georgia area code that flashed on the screen. Perhaps it was a relative or lost friend? “Hello?”
A woman's voice on the other end pitched high and pierced her ear. "Is this Serenity Hansom?"
Tempted to hang up, she pressed the speaker button and sat on the edge of the bed. "Yes, this is she. How can I help you?"
"This is Tracy Carlton,” she answered coldly. “I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes."
Serena's friend. Damien’s ex. Oh goodness. Serenity hugged her waist and wished she still had her clothes on. "How in the world did you find my number?"
Tracy's tone held the gentile cadence of Georgia. "I saw online you were getting married to Damien Morgan, and asked around."
Online? Damien’s kiss burned through her and left her aching for her wedding night. "That’s right. We are getting married tomorrow. How can I help you?"
"Your sister, Serena, was one of my best friends. If she was around, I'd tell her everything, and then she could decide whether or not to tell you. She knew some, but as a friend, I wanted to warn you about Damien."
She sensed that Tracy Carlton was not her friend. The last thing she needed was another reason to run away. Part of her wanted to. Another part was frozen to the ground unwilling to move. She planted her feet on the floor for grounding. "I know you two were high school and a long time ago."
"College,” Tracy clarified. “But leopards don't change their spots." Now that was the truth. Tracy continued, "When Damien found out some things about me, he targeted me and my entire family. My father lost his business and my mother couldn't show her face around town for years because he exposed how she’d hidden my grandfather's crime. We were all ruined because Damien turned cold and hateful."
Something in her lurched. Damien had played a role in what happened to her father and why he was in jail. He’d almost ruined her family, but now was giving them back. She tried to breathe but her mind yelled at her to shut this conversation down. "What did he find out about you, Tracy? What caused him to hate you that much?"
"I didn't love him the same as he loved me."
Love. Neither of them were in love with the other, so it wasn’t an issue. She stood from the bed and caressed the soft fabric of the wedding dress. "I already know what he did to my own father, who was a criminal. That’s why I'm still marrying him, Tracy. But thank you for calling."
Serenity ended the call and put the phone back in her bag. A soft knock from the other room gently permeated the air with the sound.
"Serenity, do you need help with that dress?"
Honestly, she wasn’t sure if it was Caro or Victoria. They were both different but tonight was such a blur that she couldn’t tell their voices apart. She rushed, threw the dress over her head so no one saw her in her underwear, and called out, "Yes. I can't get to the buttons."
The blonde Victoria and dark-haired Caro both came in together. Victoria walked around and helped with the buttons as she said, "Damien has truly planned a beautiful day for you. We're so glad we can help."
In the distant mirror on the other side of the room, Serenity glimpsed the gown that she'd only ever dreamed about. She twirled to get a look at the back. The ruffled skirt floated around her, making it seem bigger than it was. "The dress is beautiful."
Caro brought a smaller mirror closer, studied her, then stepped back. "But you're not happy. Victoria, can you give me a moment with Serenity?"
"Of course." Victoria walked to the door. "You do look great."
Once she closed it, Caro put the mirror down next to the bed and faced Serenity. "Look, we're not friends. I don't know you. But I wanted to say if you want to talk, I'll listen."
She couldn’t talk to a Morgan about any of this. Who knew who to trust? "It's fine."
Caro didn’t crowd her personal space. "I was Peter Morgan's maid. I remember when your sister was in the mansion. I cleaned the sheets after she left."
"Oh." Heat climbed up her throat and to her cheeks. "I'm sorry if my sister hurt you."
Caro shook her head. "That's not it. I'm telling you this so you know I'm not here to judge. Luke and I are taking a year to plan our wedding so my mother gets used to me being with a Morgan. And Luke and I don't want stress in our lives."
Her hand went to her stomach. The most important thing was to offer this baby of hers the best she could. It was why she stood in the dress, right now. "I don't have the option of waiting."
Caro's gaze narrowed. "Why not?"
"I'm pregnant." Serenity looked out the window. Below them children raced on the lawn. In the distance, the rising moon over the high-rises of colorful Miami was in full display. Tomorrow, she’d get married here, beneath the calming sun.
Caro's reflection in the glass caught Serenity's attention. "Now that explains the rush. Are you unsure of Damien?"
She turned toward her. Every cell in her body trembled, but she said what she could. She clutched her fists to her chest. "I'm unsure of everything. I'm scared of making the wrong decision and the consequences if I do."
Caro stepped back. "I don't know much about Damien, but I see how he stares at you, like you're his Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas morning all wrapped up in one."
"I doubt that." Serenity's lips pursed. There was no way Damien cared about her that much. They hardly knew each other.
Caro nodded. "No one's going to force you if you choose not to marry him—the Morgans tend to get their way, but not always. Everything will be fine, no matter what you do."
Right. Caro wasn’t a Morgan yet, though she already acted like one of them, even if she’d once been the maid. "Caro, thank you for being sweet. Let me see this dress again so tomorrow I look amazing. Maybe time will cure all my fears."
Caro picked up the mirror and walked with Serenity to the other side of the room. "If you ever need a friend, please let me know."
With heels, instead of her flats, the dress would flow better. She brushed Caro's hand so she tilted the mirror slightly. She needed to see the back. "You're very kind. If you ever want a shoe designer, I know someone. I'd hate to lose my best friend at work, but Kiwi is very good."
"I'll mention it to Victoria. She's the boss."
Beautiful didn't describe how the plunging satin with the lace neckline wedding dress looked. It was too tame a word. She held her breath and told herself marrying Damien was for the right reasons. "Thanks."
Caro stepped away. "And I mean it. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. As the former maid, I pretty much can find out every Morgan's dirty laundry."
Her sister would be interested in secrets, not her. She’d never ask.
"This dress is stunning." Serenity stared at herself in the wall mirror and turned around. The small flowers were hardly seen with the light sparkle at the bottom, but it made her feel special with the dainty extras.
Caro tapped her finger against her lower lip in agreement. "It's one of my favorites."
Tomorrow was the first day of married life and it would be good to start off looking fabulous. "Please tell Victoria, this is the one I want."
"Done. Let me unbutton you so you can change and get downstairs."
Serenity turned and gave her access to the buttons. "Thanks."
Once the party was over, she’d speak to Damien. Their lives were in the balance and they needed to discuss what happened after she said I do.
Peace and understanding came from getting to know each other, and so far she'd been afraid. The one good thing Tracy had done with that phone call was light a fire inside her. If Damien's dark side was a threat to her or her unborn babe, she'd find out. She didn't believe it. Damien's passion about rules made him vastly different from her father and that was a good thing.