Angel Wings Read Free Page B

if part of her wanted to keep this pain, and nurse it. Because at least it was pain, and pain was a feeling, instead of the awful emptiness that haunted her.
    “Where are you going?”
    She snapped back to the moment and slowed her steps. She almost stopped walking, but she forced herself to continue. “What are you doing here?”
    “I thought we agreed to meet after work?” Gabe kept pace with her. “You’re going dress shopping now.”
    “So?”
    “So I want to come.”
    “Why?”
    “I’m good at picking out dresses. And besides—”
    She stopped walking and turned to face him. “And besides what? You don’t think I can pick out a good enough dress?”
    “I don’t think you want to pick out a good enough dress.”
    “I don’t.”
    “You deserve a pretty dress.”
    I do? she thought. Her figment was flattering her. Which was ridiculous. She turned to walk away.
    “Jessi. Hold on a minute. Let’s talk about this.” They stood in front of one of the green benches that lined the street. “Sit.”
    Ambivalence tugged at her. And then she gave a mental shrug. Why not? It was a beautiful spring day. She’d been running all morning, getting files, making coffee, welcoming clients. She deserved to sit for a few minutes.
    “What color?”
    “Of dress?”
    “Something that will bring out the gold in your eyes.”
    Her breath hitched and she caught herself looking into his eyes. His pupils dilated, leaving a rim of deep brown stroked with green lines.
    “Jessibelle!”
    A thick lump pressed in her throat and she jerked away from Gabe. Her used-to-be Best Friend had spotted her. “Hanna. What a surprise. How are you?”
    “Jessibelle, you crazy girl. I was trying to get your attention. I saw you over here talking to yourself. You’ve got to quit doing that in public. People will think you’re crazy.”
    Hanna laughed and Jessibelle forced herself to smile. Then she glanced to her side. Gabe was still sitting there.
    “She can’t see me,” he said, spreading his arms across the back of the bench.
    That feathery light feeling invaded her senses again and she felt her heart speed up. Naturally Hanna could not see him.
    Still, Jessibelle had been half hoping that maybe—
    “Did you get your invitation?”
    Of course she had. “Oh yes. It arrived yesterday. I wasn’t sure you’d have room on the guest list for me.”
    Amazement lit Hanna’s face. “Of course we have room for you! If it wasn’t for you, we never would have met. Oh, Jessibelle. I am so very happy. I really am.” And then a sudden thought. “You know what?”
    “What?”
    “We need you to make a speech.”
    “No, Hanna. I will not make a speech.”
    Hanna laughed again, radiating her bubbling joy. “You’re no fun,” she said. “At least, think about it, okay?”
    Jessibelle would try very hard to not think about it.
    “We miss you at the Registrar’s office. How’s the new job at City Realty?”
    “It’s fantastic,” Jessibelle answered, trying to throw the weight of her smile into her response.
    “I’m so glad we met. You’re always busy. How’s Spanish class? Are you still trying to learn that language?”
    “You should learn French,” Gabe said.
    “Why?”
    Hanna frowned. “What do you mean, why?”
    Gabe grinned. “It’s the language of love,” he said.
     
    · · · · ·
     
    The problem remained. She needed a dress.
    Gabe had disappeared while she was talking to Hanna. Jessibelle had pleaded her need to run errands and cut the interview short. Hanna had vowed they would meet for coffee soon.
    And now she had twenty minutes left of her noon hour to search the racks at Market Outlet and find something for the wedding. Hopefully for a bargain price.
    She pulled out one dress from the crowded rack and held it at arm’s length. A brown sleeveless dress with a jacket. The jacket, with its three-quarter length sleeves, boasted some beading on the front. The dress ruffled at the bottom. The length would hit