Saying I Do {Interracial Curvy Romance}

Threads of Friendship, Tangles of Love

Flora 

I smooth out the layers of silk on the wedding gown in front of me, my fingers grazing the delicate embroidery along the bodice. It's a new piece, one we just got in at Blush Boutique, and I can't wait for some lucky bride to fall in love with it. As I step back, admiring the gown on the mannequin, my phone buzzes on the counter.

11:30 a.m.

I smile. It's Magdalena, reminding me we've got lunch plans. I quickly finish rearranging a few veils on the display and head into the backroom, grabbing my purse. My break is perfectly timed—after a morning filled with back-to-back fittings, I'm ready for a breather.

Blush Boutique is always bustling, but today, it's been a whirlwind. With wedding season in full swing, brides are flocking in, all eager to find the dress. And while I adore being a bridal stylist and helping each bride find their dream gown, by the time lunch rolls around, I need to refuel.

I push open the glass door, letting the warm Florida sun wash over me as I step outside. A quick glance at my phone shows a message from my mom, reminding me to pick up a few supplies for the upcoming wedding we're working on-- Matthew's wedding. I sigh, stuffing the phone back into my purse.

Matthew.

He's back in Florida for twenty-three days, planning the wedding, and let's just say, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. His fiancée, Tabitha, stormed off last night when she found out my family and I are helping with the wedding planning. Daphne, their planner, is great, but since Matthew's like a brother to me, it made sense that my family's company would pitch in too. Of course, Tabitha didn't see it that way.

I arrive at the little café Magdalena and I love, and she's already sitting outside, sunglasses on, sipping an iced coffee.

"Flora!" she calls, waving me over with a grin.

I plop down across from her. "Hey, sorry I'm a few minutes late. Had to finish up a few fittings."

"No worries," she says, pushing a menu toward me. "You look like you've been wrangling bridezillas all morning."

I laugh. "Not exactly. Actually, the brides have been great. It's everything else that's driving me nuts."

Magdalena raises an eyebrow. "Let me guess—Matthew?"

I nod, glancing at the menu but already knowing what I'm going to get—my usual grilled chicken salad. "Yeah, Matthew. He's back in town, and of course, things with Tabitha are... not great."

Magdalena sips her coffee, watching me closely. "What happened this time?"

I lean back in my chair, sighing. "Well, she found out that my family's helping with the wedding planning. You know, Daphne's great and all, but we're handling some of the smaller details since Matthew asked us to."

Magdalena rolls her eyes. "And let me guess, Tabitha didn't take that well."

"She completely flipped," I say, shaking my head. "She stormed off at Mason and Terri's engagement/pool party. I don't even know why she's still insecure about me and Matthew. We've been friends since we were toddlers."

"She's always been jealous of you, Flora. Ever since middle school, she's had this weird complex about you and Matthew's friendship. It's not your fault she's insecure." Magdalena's voice is calm but knowing, like this isn't the first time we've had this conversation—and it isn't.

The waiter arrives, and I order my salad while Magdalena orders a sandwich. Once he leaves, Magdalena leans in, lowering her sunglasses just slightly. "So what's the plan? You just going to stay out of their way?"