A/N I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in forever! I'm writing two other books currently, and I only have so much focus and creativity. But anyways, here it is! REFERENCES REFERENCES REFERENCES this book is full of reffffeeerrreennnccccceessssss!

~Aubrey's POV~

I finally found a hair tie! I snatched it up and swept my hair up in a messy bun, hurrying to make it to my appointment on time. I had approximately 15 minutes to grab my supplies and meet my client. I ran down the stairs, my sandals slapping against the wood, and grabbed my sketchbook and colored pencils. I grabbed the keys to my truck and headed towards Iridescent Glimpse, my boutique. 

I looked at the dashboard clock. It reassured me that I still had 9 minutes to make my 8:30 appointment. I sighed in relief as I pulled into my parking space and made sure I had everything. Pencils, sketchbook, and a smile on my face. Check! The rest of my supplies were inside my office, fabric samples and color palates and beads and belts and such. I could get them later, during the drawing process. 

I pushed the door open to see a young woman sitting in the plush chair I kept in the main room, fiddling with a shiny ring on her finger and looking around the room. "Hello, mademoiselle!" I greeted cheerily. I knew French very well by now, and it seemed to interest my clients when I spoke French. So I tended to incorporate it into my appointments, usually in greetings.

She jumped slightly, then relaxed, smiling at me. "Sorry to startle you, ma'am. So," I sat in the chair opposite her. "what can I do for you today?" She stopped playing with her ring and looked me in the face as I got out my notepad and pen. "Honestly, I'm not getting married for another 8 months, but I have no clue what kind of dress I want. I was hoping you'd be able to help me, Ms. Lanner." 

I wrote 'undecided' on my notepad, then thought for a moment. "I have an idea. If you don't know what you want, we need to find something you like. What are colors you enjoy?" She looked around the colorful room and suddenly got up to touch a painting adorning the wall. It was of a calm girl sitting on the edge of a cliff over the raging sea, her incredibly long hair streaming behind her with the force of the wind. "This one speaks to me." She told me softly.

I made a note of that, then told her the history of it. "My eldest sister painted this, and gave it to me as a gift since I refused to let her pay for her wedding dress that I'd made her. It was the first wedding dress I ever made. The painting's hung here ever since." I finished, smiling. She ran her finger over the girl's simple garb, and sighed. "I want something simple." She told me.

I made a note of that too, and started following her around the room. She explored every wall, every painting and design that adorned them. She stopped at a sketch of a wedding dress that I'd drawn several years prior. It was knee-length, with an ivory gleam; the skirt was fluffy and the top was a simple sweetheart neckline. The real eye-popper was the veil, so long it dragged on the ground and was incredibly intricate in terms of beading and designs. 

"I want something like this!" She told me excitedly. I gently took it off the wall and put it in her file. Glancing down at my watch, I realized she'd taken a half hour to scour my walls. But I was happy, she'd found something to start with! I sat down, sketchbook in my lap, and invited her to sit and tell me what changes she'd like to it. "Well," she began, settling back into the armchair she'd occupied earlier. "I want it to have sleeves. Short ones, but I don't like completely bare shoulders."

I sketched little cap sleeves on the design, then passed it to her. "That looks good.." She mused, passing it back after inspecting it carefully. "I'd also like to make sure the veil isn't heavy. It looks beautiful, but I don't want to have to drag the weight down the isle." I made a little note of that on the edge of the paper, then asked, "Anything else?" She shook her head. "I don't believe so."

I smiled. "Perfect! Now, would you like to look at fabrics with me, get a feel for what you like, or just come back some other time?" She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. "I'll look at some fabrics. I've got nothing else to do today." I stood up, setting the sketch down on my chair, and headed to my office to get the fabric samples.

When I came back with the box of them, however, I found that Ms. Hale was curled up, asleep, in the armchair. I chuckled and threw a crocheted blanket over her. This wasn't the first time a client had fallen asleep in my boutique. Brides were always tired, and sometimes they crashed as soon as they sat down. It was the stress.

Since I figured she'd be asleep for a while, I decided to run to Lettie's, the best bakery in town. Muffins seemed like a good idea, for me and Ms. Hale. I left a note for my assistant, telling her where I was and not to disturb Ms. Hale. That finished, I got in my truck and called Lettie, the owner of the bakery and a childhood friend. "Hey Lettie, could I get a favour? One of my clients fell asleep and I think we both need a muffin. Can I swing by and grab some?" 

It was the best bakery in town, so the lines were long. I didn't want to be caught in that when I had a client that could wake up at any moment. Thankfully, Lettie was quick to agree with my plan. "Yeah, just head on over and I'll see that you get them." She told me. I heard a crowd in the background, and I was immensely glad that she'd granted me the favour.

I hung up and turned right, toward an order of delicious cinnamon muffins. I smiled, hungry at the thought. Lettie had always loved baking, and she'd made a business of it in highschool. Just like I had, with my boutique. I loved designing and sewing clothes, and so decided to make a career out of it. Now, I had Iridescent Glimpse and she had Lettie's.

I walked in the door, and was greeted by a large crowd clustered in front of the counter, sitting in booths, and waiting in line. I walked to the front of the line, amid many loud complaints about me 'cutting'. "Order of cinnamon muffins for Ms. Lanner!" I called. "Special order by Lettie!" One of the kitchen guys peeked around the counter, saw me, and disappeared again. "Order for Ms. Lanner!" he called in the back, then reappeared with my muffins. I handed him a twenty and picked up my muffins. "Thanks Zach!" I called over my shoulder as I turned around. "'Welcome!" he called back, returning to the kitchen.

I turned towards the door, only the immediately be knocked into by someone. "I'm so sorry!" An Australian voice exclaimed. I looked at the stranger, having to tilt my head a bit since he was taller than me. He had messy dirty-blond hair, and blue eyes. "It's quite alright." I told him, attempting to whisk around him so I could get back to my truck. There were too many people however, and many of them weren't exactly happy that I hadn't had to wait in line.

"Ms. Lanner here thinks she's soo special!" I heard a sarcastic voice in the crowd. "Special order by Lettie, huh?" The person snorted. The tall Australian I was sort of trapped by frowned. "What's their problem?" He asked me. "The world is full of idiots." I told him, rolling my eyes. He seemed agitated, however, "I'm not hungry anymore. Let's get out of here." I looked him in surprise. "Let's? Who're you talking to?" His eyebrows scrunched together in an adorable manner.

"Well, I figured since you already have your food, and I'm not hungry, I'll escort you to the door. These people don't sound very nice." I grinned, enjoying his gentlemanly attitude. But I had to tease him just a bit. "You're absolutely crazy if you aren't hungry after smelling Lettie's food." He shrugged, then replied, "I can come back some other time."  I shrugged, then allowed him to lead me to the door, his hand on my arm since it was still pretty crowded in there.

When we made it outside, he let go. "So, what's your name?" I asked him. He blinked. "I'm Luke." I shifted the box of muffins to my left hand so I could shake his hand. His hand was warm and firm, and the longer I looked at him, the more familiar he seemed. "Do I know you?" I asked, dropping his hand. He shook his head. "I don't think so." Then he mumbled something I couldn't hear. "Sorry, I couldn't hear you." He shook himself, and smiled.

"Oh, it's nothing. I should probably get back to the guys soon, is all." I tilted my head. "The guys?" I questioned. "Yeah, my friends. We're staying with Liz for the summer, Ash and Cal and Mikey and me." I nodded. "Well, it was nice to meet you, Luke." I told him. He pushed his messy hair out of his eyes. "You too, Ms. Lanner." He teased. I playfully smacked his arm, then began to walk to my truck.

I suddenly had an idea. "Wait!" I turned around and began to walk back to Luke, where he stood looking at me in confusion. I took a muffin of the box I was holding. "Here." I told him, putting it in his hand. "Taste it." I urged him when he just looked at it. "It's just cinnamon." He took a hesitant bite, then a bigger one as he tasted the amazingness. "Oh wow." He said with his mouth full. I giggled at his wondrous expression. "Good, right?" I asked. He nodded fervently, and finished chewing.

He looked down at it, his expression turning sad. I looked him, confused. Why was he sad? He started to hand it back to me. I chuckled. "Consider that a thank you for escorting me to the door, Luke. Keep it." He looked at me, full of such childish happiness that I couldn't help but smile. "Plus," I grinned mischievously, "I wouldn't eat it since it has cooties now." I teased, waltzing back to my truck.

"Hey!" He called as I slammed the door shut. I playfully stuck my tongue out at him as I pulled out of the parking lot. I laughed as I headed back to my boutique, the sweet smell of the muffins filling my truck.