Read Online Waking Sleeping Beauty by Laurie LeClair - Free Book Online

her away from him. “To protect her.” To protect your heart, too .
    She got the message loud and clear. He didn’t want her. But that didn’t mean it stung any less.
     
    ***
     
    Marcus must have chased her away, he figured when she scooted out of the kitchen to go back to see his mother. Now, balancing the tray with four mugs of cocoa and a plate of cookies he’d found tucked in the back of a cupboard, he opened the door to his mother’s room.
    Two things hit him at once. Wilbur sat in the corner chair, head back and snoring lightly. Francine, with a chair pulled up to his mother’s bedside, held his mother’s hands in hers, each of them chatting and giggling like school girls.
    He tuned into their conversation.
    “Oh my, a wedding consultant. How lovely. And did you say pink? I love that color.”
    “You should see the boutique. You’ll have to ask Marcus to show you the pictures. The ad will be out Monday morning, but there are so many shots they weren’t able to use them all.”
    “Tell me about the weddings.” His mother’s voice was dreamy.
    “I already have contacts from when I worked in the jewelry department. I have three appointments for Monday already. One is an older bride. She’s never been married and wants the works.”
    He let the rest drown out; he focused on both their faces. A jolt shot through him.
    Why hadn’t he realized it before? They both were romantics and both loved weddings .
    Francine. The wedding dress he’d found her in that night. The overwhelming joy on her face in his office when she jotted down her new ideas. The look of wonder on her face after he’d kissed her—twice.
    She believed in fairy tales. She believed in happily ever after.
    He believed in the real world.
    In that moment, he vowed he wouldn’t be a part of a fantasy any longer. Especially when it came to Francine King.
    So why did his chest hurt so much after making that decision?
     
    ***
     
    Francine fidgeted with a pillow. Monday morning was here and she couldn’t sit still.
    “Girl, you’re a ball of energy,” Rico said, touching her arm. “Cool it, will ya? You’re making me a nervous wreck.” He fluffed his close-cropped hair and straightened out his false eyelash.
    “Got them.” Evelyn rushed in with the bakery delivery boxes. “Ta-dah! Petit fours, just like you requested.”
    “Thank you,” Francine cried, reaching out for the stack of boxes. “Now, we can put these out and, in five minutes, open the curtains.” Her voice squeaked as her stomach flip-flopped.
    Her hands shook as she gingerly transferred the sweets to the awaiting silver serving trays.
    “Here, let me,” Evelyn offered, nudging Francie aside.
    Looking at her eager, dark-haired, bright-eyed assistant, Francie smiled gratefully and backed away, afraid she’d drop something. “You’re so sweet.”
    “Gosh, Francie. I’ve pinched myself black and blue this past week, wondering how I got so lucky as to work in the wedding boutique. I’m dreaming!” she squealed. “Did you peek out there? There’s a line waiting.”
    Rico interrupted, “Okay,” he tapped a finger on his oversize watch, “it’s show-time, girls!”
    Screwing up her courage, Francine wiped her damp palms on her black skirt. “Do I look all right?”
    He pinched her cheeks. “There, better.”
    With her assistants urging her toward the closed curtains, Francie prayed she wouldn’t faint. Once there, she let out a long, slow breath. “Ready?” she asked.
    “Hit it, Boss,” Rico and Evelyn said in unison as they drew back the heavy fuchsia drapes.
    Francine blinked at the swell of people and the round of applause that greeted her. Her good manners took over her nerves. She pasted on what she hoped was a warm, welcoming smile. “Thank you, please come in. We have refreshments for your pleasure. If there’s any questions, my assistants, Rico and Evelyn, or myself will be more than happy to help.”
    She recognized a few employees waiting in