Since she just got here and everyone's happy to see her again it'd be rude to say no when someone asked her to do them a favor. That's why she currently being dragged into a bridal store to pick out dresses with her mom and her aunt Deborah.

Apparently, in her absence, her aunt Deborah and Uncle Lennie got a divorce and now she's remarrying to a car salesman. Her Aunt wants her "expert" opinion about which dress she should wear. Her mother saw the look of disapproval on Kate's face when her aunt first asked her to go and said she'd come along with her if she went.

So here she is with her mother and her aunt listening to stories about old times. If it weren't for the fact that she's in a good mood because of Paul she would definitely be complaining.

"So what type of dress are you looking for? Asked one of the store clerks.

"Something that will shock and amaze my fiancé," replied her aunt.

"Maybe you would like to go with strapless? Do you want a train?"

"Ugh! No no trains they're so cliché," Kate said.

"You think so?" Her aunt looked displeased with Kate's statement.

"Yeah. What are your wedding colors?"

"White and green."

"Green?"

"It's a pretty green Katie trust me. I think you might like it," Johanna butted in. Hoping Kate would get the hint.

"Okay. For you auntie I think we should go strapless with a green belt or any other accents. Now it has to be made out of the same material as the dress."

"Our belted dresses are over there," spoke the clerk. "Some do have trains."

"I think I wanna train," her aunt said.

"Then we shall get one," Johanna said looking at Kate so she wouldn't argue.

When the women relocated them back to the front of the store, they were facing the giant store windows. Across the street was a hardware store where men were gathered around talking. One man in particular caught Kate's eye. He was tall, stood over most men in the group without being overbearing. He was dressed in jeans and a long black coat. From what Kate could tell, he looked modestly handsome. She felt a pang in her chest.

Before her thought could take her anywhere else her aunt called her attention. "This is the closest shade to my color. What do you think?"

"I like it. Try it on and we'll go from there." Kate turned her attention back to the window but the man was gone.

"Kate help me look for other dresses, said Johanna. "If that dress doesn't work, we need to find another. We could always buy accents that would blend with the overall wedding colors."

"I don't know what she likes. I've never bee dress shopping before."

Johanna looked at Kate questionably, like she didn't believe her.

"I borrowed my friends dress when Keith and I got married. We didn't have much funding and plus I didn't want to try on dresses while pregnant."

Johanna sighed and nodded her understanding. That was a difficult time for her. "But still if you like it she probably will too."

"Just because she's my godmother doesn't mean she has to like everything I do."

"I know. But just please. This would mean so much to her Katie. Try your best."

"Okay. I'll try."

"What do you think?" Deborah asked coming out of the dressing room and standing on the platform in front of the floor length mirror.

"Babe you look amazing!" Exclaimed Johanna before turning in her chair to go to the other side of the store.

"I don't like the hemline," Kate said. "At least in the front. I can see your feet. If this is the one you want then we should get that lengthened." Kate heard the front door open but paid it no mind. "And the neck and waistlines are off. It's making you look fat."

"Well that's no way to talk to someone. Have you no manners?" The man yelled at Kate. Before she could respond, he turned his attention to Deborah. "That dress looks lovely on you."

"Thank you," she said. "But she's right. I'll want to get that tightened. And the neckline lowered."

Deborah retreated into the changing room leaving Kate temporarily alone with the man. Now that she's gotten a good look at him, she realizes that it's the same man she was looking at from across the street. Handsome did not do him justice. He has light brown hair and deep blue eyes. They're beautiful but she'd never admit that to him.

"So that's the dress you're getting?" Kate asked before her aunt disappeared.

"I don't know. I want to look some more. And I've got a couple extra days to look into some other shops."

"Okay. Keep looking." Kate turned to glare at the man then proceeded to look through bride's maid dresses. If she's going to help with the wedding, it could be useful to have an early start on the bride's maid dresses.

The man waited for Deborah to drop out of earshot before turning back to Kate. "I don't know who you think you are but that woman in there is already sensitive about her weight. The last thing she needs is some monstrosity coming in here telling her she's fat! She's sensitive. How dare you be so disrespectful?"

Kate cleared her throat and stood to stand directly in front of him so he would know how serious she was. "Who do you think you are? She asked for my opinion! And what woman doesn't have body image issues? It's her wedding I doubt she'd want to look like she's carrying a bag of potatoes underneath her dress. That would make any woman sensitive. At least I'm trying to save her from embarrassment!"

Before either, one could stop it they were standing face to face, staring at each other through angry eyes. It's then that she really sees how tall he is. Although she did see, his gaze soften a little when he turned to her. Being so close now, she can smell him. He smelled like old pine and she could smell something else, something that must be him because she likes it. She wants to get closer but she can't, not without giving herself away.

Standing so close to him is making her dizzy and her vision blurry. Her heart rate picked up and she felt her hands start trembling. She doesn't know what's going on but she really hopes it's not what she thinks it is. She can't be attracted to this man. She can't be. She isn't. No no no.

His eyes are capturing her, sending her into an unknown world where she's free. Free of the chains and binds holding her and free to let her heart decide what's best. And right now staring into this mans eyes is telling her that he is what her heart wants.

But it must be wrong because this man was just incredibly rude to her and she has a strong urge to kis-kill him. Kill him! He'd make the perfect victim with his narcissism and pomposity. Okay maybe not so much narcissism but she can tell he has an arrogant side to him.

"Why are you even here?" She asked after a few moments to end their staring contest.

"I saw a friend. Thought I'd drop by and say hello. Is that a problem?"

"Whatever," was all she was able to say because her aunt came out of the dressing room.

"What's going on you two?" she asked.

That's when the man backed away and never gave her a second look. "I," Kate made sure she spoke loudly. "Am stepping out!"

"Maybe that's best!" he shouted.

She quickly threw on her coat and left the shop. She's coming back but she just needs time to cool down. She's mad and she's finding herself strangely aroused. What the hell was with that man? He needs to learn how to mind his own business and to stay out of other people's conversations. She'll show him the consequences of doing such things.

But she's never killed here before…

She's taking the attraction that she feels toward him as having the right to kill him. As soon as she can get him alone. What else could this feeling be?

Rick wasn't expecting to have an altercation with anyone when he walked into the bridal shop. But when he heard what that woman said to Deborah, he lost it. She's already a very sensitive woman and the smallest amount of criticism could send her spiraling. When he first got to know her, she was fresh off her divorce and in a very vulnerable place. Since then he's been doing everything he can to boost her self-esteem.

He's never laid eyes on the woman in the shop before today and he finds this weird because this is a very small town, neighborhood at that. Even though he doesn't approve of how she treated, his friend when she turned around and he saw her he felt his heart skip a beat. She was the most beautiful woman he's ever laid eyes on. Her eyes were a piercing green that saw right through him. And her hair was long and from what he could tell looked soft, like silk. It took everything in him not to reach out and run his fingers through it.

From what he can tell about her attitude is that she's a woman who knows how to carry herself. She knows what she wants and she gets it. He likes independent woman but he can tell that with this one it goes beyond that. There's something about her that caught not only his eye but also his attention. He felt something when they were standing face to face. And when they were just staring, he had the strongest urge to kiss her. He's never felt this way before with any other woman. No other woman has ever had him so heightened in his awareness before.

He want to know who she is, he wants to get to know her. But the odds of them meeting again are slim to none. And even if they did, she most likely wouldn't want anything to do with him.

"Rick!" Johanna called. "What're you doing here?"

"I saw you from across the street. Thought I'd come say hi."

"Well thank you so much. It's nice to see you. You should bring Brent for dinner tonight. I have a surprise for him."

"Okay I will. He might want to try to bring his girlfriend though. Is that alright?"

"Yeah yeah. That's even better."

"What is it?" he asked. "Money? A car?"

"No no it's a who. And that's all I'm gonna say." Johanna absentmindedly scanned the shop for Kate and silently thanked her for disappearing. She wants to wait before she has them meet.

"Okay," he laughed. "I'll find out tonight then. Look I gotta get back to work. Tell Deborah I liked that dress she had on and not to listen to jealous bridesmaids."

"Huh?"

"Nothing just this woman told Deborah she looked fat. Then kept shopping for a bridesmaid dress. It was unbelievable." He didn't mention how unbelievably attracted to her he was.

"She's lucky I didn't hear her."

"Yeah. You've rolled over her." Johanna chuckled. "I'll see you later," Rick said bending down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Bye. Don't forget Brent!"

"I won't I promise."

Rick went back to the hardware store to relay the message to Brent. But on his way out, he saw her coming out of the coffee shop across the street. He wanted to avoid her but at the same time he wants to be close to her. He has to pass her to get back to work anyway.

She's carrying three coffees on a tray and has her head down. When she looks up they're face to face again. Neither one of them say anything, just stare. He can tell she's still angry but he thinks he detects a hint of amusement maybe in there as well. Maybe she's been laughing at him.

"Can I help you?" She asked annoyingly.

"You can step out of my way."

"How about you get out of mine? Be a gentleman."

"I'm only a gentleman to woman who deserve it, who are sweet. Unlike you."

She leaned in closer to him and whispered. "Well that just makes you look like a jackass."

While she walked away, Rick turned and watched her. She's definitely a woman he wants to get to know. A challenge. But at the same time something is telling him to steer clear of her. He's so confused. No woman has ever done this to him.

He's distracted for the rest of the day because he can't get this woman out of his head.

I'm dying to know what you guys think!