Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Fighting the tears is pointless because I’ve already lost that battle. “You don’t know what a relief it is to hear you say that, Aurora. I love Roman. That man owns my heart, and I’m so grateful to have you behind us. I tried so hard to keep my distance, but he’s just…easy to fall in love with.”
“He was built to love people. I’m happy that he’s happy. And I like you, Lexi. A lot. The only thing I'm nervous about is what’s on the other side of this. For all of us.”
“Me, too,” I admit.
“It’s clear he pursued you when he shouldn’t have. Seems to be a family trait, since I did it too.” She rolls her eyes.
“Turned out good for you. Hopefully, it’ll be the same for us,” I say as Fee, Callie, and Dred make their way back to us.
“It will.” Aurora gives me a side hug. “Now, let’s find you a very pretty dress so you can marry my dad.”
Aurora takes us to a very swanky, very expensive boutique dress shop with name-brand, top-of-the-line dresses.
“Um, this place is nice, but I don’t know if I can afford anything in here,” I whisper before one of the sales associates reaches us.
Aurora pats my hand and laughs. “You’re not paying for the dress. My dad gave me his credit card, which is something you’ll have to get used to. He’s a bit extravagant with gifts. It’s part of his love language.” My dad is the same. I consider calling him, but he won’t be able to make it.
“Hi, you must be Aurora.” The sales associate shakes her hand.
“Thank you so much for fitting us in. This is Callie, Fee, and Dred—the wedding party—and this is Lexi, our bride to be.” Aurora squeezes my shoulder.
“It’s lovely to meet all of you. I’m Sariah, and I’m excited to help you find your perfect wedding dress today.”
“I’ll need to be able to wear it right away.” I can’t believe I’m having a shotgun wedding. And yet, I’m more ready than I ever thought I’d be to walk down the aisle.
Sariah doesn’t miss a beat. “Of course. Shall we get started?”
“That would be great, yes, thank you.”
We follow Sariah to the back of the store. We’re the only people here. The girls are given sparkling grape juice, and Aurora, Dred, and I are handed champagne. I don’t drink often, but I accept it as we browse dresses, already pulled in my size.
“I can come in and help you, if you want,” Dred offers once we’ve collected a few possibilities.
I nod. “That would be great.”
“We’ll be back!” Dred calls over her shoulder as Sariah brings the first two dresses to the room.
I strip down to my bra and panties. Having spent years in locker rooms with a team of women, I tend not to be shy about my body.
“How are you doing?” Dred helps zip me into the first dress.
“This is the right decision,” I whisper.
She turns me around to face her. “You love him.”
“So unbelievably much.”
“And you want to be his wife.”
“A thousand percent yes. Today, tomorrow, six months from now, the answer would be the same.”
“Then this is the right decision.” Dred is an amazing best friend, but I still wish this was a conversation I could have had with my mom. She couldn’t be the mom I wanted her to be, but I yearn for that mother daughter connection. She’ll never see me in my wedding dress or her other daughters. Now we’re building another family, and my chest aches a little. I resolve, in this moment, to be the mom my sisters need, and to show up for Dred if she ever walks down the aisle and needs me in the same way.
“Thank you for being here.”
“I got you, girl. How do you feel about this dress?”
I smooth my hands over my hips and look at my reflection. “I like it, but I don’t think I love it.”
“We should show the girls anyway.” She opens the door, and I step out.
They ooh and ahh but agree that it’s not quite right.
The second one is the same.
“How about this one?” Aurora points to a simple, elegant dress.
“It’s pretty.” Callie has said this about every dress.
“I like it.” Fee gives her approval.
“It’s understated, and I love it,” Dred weighs in.
It’s not flashy, but it has the potential to be stunning. “I’ll try it.”
I disappear into the changing room and carefully slip into the beautiful blush dress, dotted with simple blossoms. The back is corset style and laces up. Dred expertly tightens it and ties a bow at the base of my spine. “If I could get a boner over a dress, I would have one now.” She steps back and turns me toward the mirror.
“Oh my gosh. This is…”
“It?” She arches a brow.