The Alchemist of Broken Dreams by Sienna Rose Blackwell 51

DYLAN 

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath. It was like the universe had a personal vendetta against me. Why were they always showing up wherever I went? Either fate had a twisted sense of humor, or I was in the middle of the worst streak of luck imaginable. 

Sarah clicked her tongue and strolled deeper into the boutique, that familiar mocking smile tugging at her lips. “We keep running into each other lately. Don’t you think it’s a bit too many coincidences? Or is it you following us, huh, Dylan? 

1 let out a sharp breath through my nose. “Get off your high horse, Sarah. I was here first–doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. So if anyone’s following anyone, it would be you, don’t you think?” 

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second, irritation flashing in her eyes. Beckett shifted awkwardly beside her, clearing his throat like he wanted to intervene but knew better than to step between us. 

Sarah tilted her head, studying me from head to toe, as if trying to find something to claw at. “Well, isn’t this cute,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Trying on wedding gowns without your husband? Or did Hunter finally get tired of babysitting you?” 

My jaw clenched, but I held her gaze steadily. She wanted to get under my skin. She wanted to poke at the parts of me she thought were weak. 

Not today. 

“My husband is a very busy person. Besides, he trusts my taste,” I replied calmly. “I hope I can say the same to you. Oh wait… Trust isn’t exactly your strong suit, is it?” 

Beckett’s eyes widened slightly. Sarah’s smile snapped tight. And for a moment, just a moment, she had nothing to say. 

I straightened my shoulders, smoothing the gown at my waist and turning back toward the mirror, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled. 

But I could feel Beckett’s gaze lingering on me, warm and conflicted. 

And Sarah’s