Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Let’s meet at 1 p.m. at Monique’s Bridal! There will be champagne. :)
With a deep breath in I stare out my car window and take in the view, namely Monique’s Bridal Shop. It doesn’t take long before I see a gaggle of girls come around the corner, and spot Alianna in the middle of them.
A mix of emotions are running through me, but I shove them down and get out of the car, crossing the street toward them with my keys jingling in my hands.
Ali spots me nearly instantly and I keep the smile plastered on my face. “Oh, it’s Grace!” She calls out, “I’m so glad you came!”
She hugs me, and it only eases the anxiousness of meeting new people and being in her bridal party – which still makes me feel like I’m crazy for agreeing to do it. She has to be the crazier one though, right? How awful that I’m thinking that as I pull away and wave to the other women who are obviously her friends and far closer to her than I will probably ever be.
“Hi guys,” the greeting leaves me and I swallow thickly, trying to shake off every nerve and just enjoy this trip, get to know Ali and have a good time.
I already feel guilty for being on this shopping trip, seeing as how I'm not really dating Charlie. No need to make it weird on top of that by being my… well, weird self. But they don’t know that.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you made it!”
“No problem!” I say, trying to make my voice sound upbeat.
“Let me make introductions before we go inside,” Ali announces with an excited flare and a quick clap of her hands. “This is Lindsay, Sam, and Ellie.”
She gestures to three women. Two of them are petite and blonde like Ali herself, and they’re dressed as preppy as J. Crew models. Ellie seems to be the odd one out, tall and thin, dark-haired and wearing an artsy, hot pink dress. Cheryl isn’t coming, but she’s the last bridesmaid. She texted in the group message that she hadn’t slept at all with Evie being up all night.
Altogether, they seem really nice and they’re warm to me. So, it’s off to a good start!
“Hi,” I say. “It’s nice to meet y’all.”
“Ladies, this is Grace. She’s dating Charlie.”
I note the looks of total surprise on all three of their faces, followed by a look on Lindsay’s face like she smelled something rotten. I assume that look isn’t directed at me, but I still saw it.
I guess Diane isn’t the only one to have the hots for Charlie.
RIP that good start. At least it lasted a second.
Sam and Ellie say hello, but Lindsay just gives me a tight smile. Luckily, Ali is too caught up in starting the dress shopping to notice. My heart races and the nerves build up even more as she ushers everyone toward the store.
“Come on! Let’s go in!” Ali leads the pack, which now I’m a part of.
The window display sports a lady mannequin dressed in what I assume is the height of bridal couture. The dress is white satin, tightly fitted and turned to the side to showcase the low-cut back.
It makes me wonder what kind of dress Ali is looking for, exactly. I don’t know a darn thing about her really or about the wedding.
The second we’re inside, I pause, waiting for someone to tell us where to go, but we’re ushered back and then father back; Ali knows just where to go and doesn’t wait for anyone. There’s a single podium along the back wall, empty at the moment, and a curved wall that blocks the rest of the store from sight. All the decor is colored in shades of white, cream and pastel pink.
“Hello, hello,” a woman appears from a side door right on cue. She speaks clearly, but with a Parisian accent. “You’re here for Alianna?” Her elegant demeanor, graying hair and thin frame fit in with the store. This woman looks like she owns the place.
“Yes! That’s me,” Ali raises her hand while practically shaking with excitement. She’s freaking adorable. It warms my heart to see her happiness on such obvious display.
“Bien. I’m Monique, the owner. Let me get you ladies set up.” There’s a large round pink ottoman to sit on, two stuffed chairs, and a throne. Like an actual throne. I take it that’s going to be for the bride-to-be.
To our left, there’s a floor to ceiling three-way mirror with a low pedestal in the middle. Ali looks at the pedestal nervously.
“You sit here,” Monique says to Ali, gesturing to the throne. “And the rest of you, sit where you like.”
Ali glances at us, her perfect smile never dimming, then goes to sit on the gilded throne. After a minute of being left to our own devices as Monique runs to the back room she came from to grab a client form, Ali grins even wider, I don’t know how that’s possible. Lindsay and Sam take the two chairs, leaving Ellie and me to sit on the ottoman.