Undoubtedly Yours

Chapter 7

Hope

It's almost done. The remainder of the week has been exhausting. I had to go over all my notes, call all my clients and let them know that their account will be handled by my team temporarily. I hate to admit it, but Scott has been a big help. I didn't even realize I had so much workload. Over the years, accounts were passed on to me and I kept taking them on. It's Friday, and almost everything is sorted. I am having a final sit down with Katie going over the game plan for the next six months as I start working at Hoffman industries on Monday.

I had no idea this week would turn out the way it has. From being nervous about getting my biggest break to coming face to face with Dean to now, me wrapping up my work to go work at his company, it has been a week. I can't believe that we talked and it was this pleasant. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we will have a casual conversation when we meet. I was so sure he was going to say he hates me and never wants to see me again, but he didn't do any of that. I don't know what to think of it and I convince myself that it is the only reason he has been a constant resident in my mind.

There is no doubt I have missed being around him. When I moved to Toronto, I did expect to run into him. What I was not expecting was to run into him right away. It has hit me like a ton of bricks and I have to figure out a way to handle working with him. Katie's question brings me out of my thoughts, "So, is this all? Is there anything else left to do?" "No, I believe that should be everything. Thank you Katie, you have been a great help. Please let me know if anything else comes up that we might have missed.", I tell her as I start collecting my things, wrapping up the exhausting day we had.

"So, I have something to tell you and before you say no I will tell you that it is absolutely necessary for you to be there. All of us have organized a small get-together tomorrow. Something that will be kind of your last hurrah with us before you go for the big guns. I know we have not known each other long but we would all like you to come and hang out with us. I think it'll be nice if we can get to know you a little more", Katie says in one breath. After taking the much needed air, she continues, "Please, please, please come. In the month you have been here, we have never really hung out because you were getting adjusted, so now, you have to come." Her enthusiasm makes me chuckle and I wonder how she knows my first instinct will be to say no.

I shake my head and tell her, "Okay, fine. You are right. I have been a little averse to get-togethers but I will come to this one. I promise. I think it'll be nice." She squeals and gives me a hug and then waves off. I am about to walk out when my phone starts ringing. I take it out and the name flashing makes me smile. I answer and even before I can get a word in I hear rambling, "Hope! Oh my god! Thank god you answered. I need your help. Like, right now. I am sending you an address and I need you there. I am not going to hear any excuses. You have to be here. This is not a drill." And then I hear the click as the call drops.

I didn't even know if it was in my head or if it really happened. But, the text with an address coming through confirms otherwise. So, I do what anyone would do in my situation. I take my car to see what this crazy person has gotten herself into this time. I drive as quickly as I can and park my car. As I get to the entrance of the mall, I see Dean walking from the other side looking down at his phone. He must have sensed someone looking at him, because immediately his eyes find mine. He smiles one his brightest smiles and puts his phone in his pocket as he gets to the entrance right when I do.

"Well, well, well, this is a surprise. Twice in one week!", he teases as he bends down to kiss my cheek. Apparently, he is going to kiss my cheek whenever he wants. Not letting him show how his kisses affect me, I smile up at him and say, "Hey! Nice to see you too. I definitely did not expect you to be at the mall. Didn't you hate malls?" "Oh, trust me! I still do. I wouldn't have come if Dani hadn't threatened to cut off my balls.", he says making a face. "Well, that sounds like her." I say laughing. "Listen, I would have loved to chat some more but I gotta rush. My friend is having a meltdown and I need to be there.", I tell him. "Don't worry, Dani is going to kill me if I take more time.", Dean says holding his head up.

We walk in and I go towards the map of the mall to see where I have to go when I feel Dean come up right beside me. "God! I have to find this shop and I have no idea how to even look at this map." I giggle and ask him, "Well, let me help you. What's the name of the shop?" He takes his phone out to check and tells me,"It's called Bride Whisperers. What kind of name is that?" Coincidentally, it is where I am going. "I'll take you there. I have to go to the same store." I tell him and we start walking. "Wait! Your friend is having a meltdown in this store? Dani is also having a meltdown at this store. Hope, what is your friend's name?", Dean asks. "It's Kira. Why?", I ask not connecting the dots at all.

"No reason. Just wanted to know.", he says smirking. I had a feeling I was missing something. As soon as we entered the store, I understood why I felt that way. Dani and Kira practically run from inside and getting to us both huff out, "Thank god, you are here." Kira comes to hug me and Dani goes to Dean. I look at Dean and he has a knowing smile and I roll my eyes as I understand why. Ignoring him and turn to the women when I hear Dani say. "Hope, is that you?" "Yeah, the one and only. How are you Dani?" I ask her. She comes to hug me, taking me by surprise, and says, "Oh my gosh! It's been such a long time. I didn't know Kira and you know each other."

"I know, right! We were planning to meet but work and moving kept me occupied and you guys had your family vacation to go to. So, it never happened. Small world, I guess.", I say. "That's right! I didn't tell you her name either, right?" Kira asks Dani in a sarcastic tone, making us all laugh. "Well honey, maybe you did, maybe you didn't. I don't really know but we are all here now, so let's make the most of it.", Dani hugs Kira around the shoulder and kisses her temple, making her all googly eyes. I look over at Dean and he raises an eyebrow as if to say you see what I meant about Dani. I nod slightly and turn to the ladies and ask, "So, where's the fire? You called like you were having a breakdown. What is going on?"

Both of them look at each other and, then pulling away, they look at us. Dani is the first one to speak. "You guys are going to help us select our dresses today. We are set up in two different parts of the store since, you know, not before the wedding day thing. Kira is going to take Hope and Dean is going to come with me." Adding to that, Kira says,"Yes! We are going to try the dresses we have shortlisted and you guys are going to sit and have champagne and help us make a decision. Then next week we will reveal our dresses to our families." I kind of figured that's what the emergency was when I saw the name of the store but I guess Dean didn't.

"Why Dani? Why are you doing this to me?", he groans and asks. Before he can continue, Dani says, "I know, okay, I know, but you are the only one who can help me. Come on, Dean. Please. It's my wedding. I will owe you one." He looks like he is about to loose it and I have to stifle a laugh. None of us say anything, waiting for his response. He looks at the three of us and sighs as he says, "Fine! Let's go." Kira drags me and Dani takes Dean. He turns the same time as I do and we both smile before turning back to follow our crazy bridezillas.