She didn’t have to try and smile—it came naturally.

Clara was already within a few steps of her holding out her arms and enveloping her in a hug.

“Oh, I’ve missed you,” she said as she hugged her tightly.

“How could you even have time? I saw you on the TODAY show last week. You and Warner have really made a name for yourself.”

There was a pride that resonated from Clara and the excitement was infectious.

“It has been the craziest year and a half ever.” Her face softened. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well.”

Madeline, Christian’s mother, stepped between them. “My turn.” She pulled her into her arms and now Victoria was sure she might cry. “I’ve been thinking of you.”

She pulled her back and kept her hands on Tori’s arms to look her over. “You look beautiful. What are you shopping for?” she asked finally dropping her hands.

There was no way she was going to tell them her dilemma. Nope. She was going to make up something. These women didn’t need her getting all emotional. It wasn’t going to happen.

“A dress for the wedding,” the words rushed out of her mouth before her contemplation of the situation was over.

“I’m so glad you’re still coming.” Madeline smiled wide. “Clara and I are headed just a few doors down to get our final fittings with the other girls. You should spend the day with us and we’ll find you a dress.”

“Oh, I couldn’t even think of it.”

Clara’s lips turned into a pout. “You have to. I miss you.”

“The kids are at a sitter.”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Oh, Tori, please. I haven’t had the chance to pal around in a long time and this is the only girlie day I’ve had in months. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Victoria had never been good with the guilt—never.

“I suppose I could call the sitter and…”

But the words never got out. Clara had her in another hug and Victoria couldn’t help but smile. She certainly did miss his family.

When Victoria walked through the doors of the bridal store with Madeline and Clara, the others were already there waiting. The reception she received from Chris’s cousin Avery and Darcy was much the same as she’d received from Clara. Then his aunts, Regan, Arianna, and Simone embraced her as though she’d been the missing part in their lives for the past year.

She wasn’t sure she was going to make it through the day without breaking down.

Her friend Sonia had told her to enjoy her day and that the kids were perfectly fine in her care. “I have three kids. Two more does not upset the balance in this house a bit,” she told her. “You deserve a day with women who care about you. If I see you before five o’clock tonight I’m locking you out,” she’d laughed. “Tori, go have fun.”

She couldn’t argue with that. It had been Sonia’s strength that had helped her though the past year. Perhaps she was as close to a replacement sister as she could hope for, but that thought tugged at her chest too.

Clara set a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“This is a bit emotional for me,” she whispered.

Clara gave her a squeeze. “He’s an idiot, but you’ll always be one of my dearest friends. Don’t forget that.”

Victoria pressed her lips together tightly. “I won’t.”

The bridal store attendant set them all in an enormous fitting room. It was as if they were having a private party in the store. There was champagne, strawberries, and a whole lot of laughter.

Each bridesmaid tried on their dress and paraded around while the others applauded. The attendant made any adjustments that were needed and the next woman would go.

Victoria opted for one glass of champagne, but waved off the second when Clara offered.

Clara smiled and poured anyway. “Your day has just begun.” She leaned in closer. “You’re not driving for hours anyway. We have a surprise for Darcy and you’re coming along.”

Victoria’s stomach filled with the unwelcomed nausea that came when butterflies invaded. Sonia said to stay away and the kids were safe and happy. She sat back in her chair and tried to accept the warmth she was being surrounded by, but it was all going to come at such an emotional price later.

Darcy was the last to try on her dress and tears flowed from Regan and Simone. Arianna shook her head at the two, but then turned and dabbed at her own eyes. Victoria, on the other hand, could feel the unwelcome onset of a full-on tearful breakdown coming.

As everyone in the room gushed over the bride, Victoria quietly slipped away to the bathroom. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t spend the day with these women knowing that once, this day would have been hers.

She locked the door to the stall, took a handful of toilet paper, and began dabbing at her eyes.

“Tori, are you in here?” Clara had come after her and now she felt even worse.

She swallowed hard trying to steady her voice before she spoke. “I’ll be just a moment.”

“I can wait.”

No, that’s not what Victoria wanted. “You can go back. They need you.”

But she didn’t hear the door open again so she knew that Clara wasn’t going anywhere.

When she felt composed she plastered a smile on her face and opened the door to the stall.

“Why are you crying?” Clara asked and that started the tears again.

“This is too hard. I don’t think I can go on with you all today. I think I’d better go get the kids and go home.”

Clara shook her head and walked toward her.

“Don’t let him break you like this. He’s hurting too.”

“It was his choice.”

Clara’s brows drew together. “It was a stupid choice.”

Victoria sucked in a breath. “No. It’s a lot to throw at someone. The kids aren’t his. There isn’t a reason in the world that he should want to take on that responsibility.”

“And you should have? Alone?”

“Well, they are mine.”

Clara shook her head again. “In blood. Chris is yours in heart. That’s equal.”

Victoria dabbed at her eyes and kept the smile plastered on her tight lips. “No. He needs to heal in his own way. I needed to move on.”