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I turn to see the source and I recognize the not-so-little-anymore-girl that Sterling used to babysit.
“Sara?” I question and she just smiles with sass.
“In the flesh,” she responds, and I can see that her little attitude has not changed. But she looks so grown up and I almost gasp because I didn’t think I’d been gone that long. Then again, I have a whole ass three-month-old right now.
“Trust me, it doesn’t get better,” Sterling quips hinting to my future journey with three girls.
“As long as they don’t grow up as fast as that one, I think I can manage,” I joke, and Sterling and I laugh.
Sara exits the room and Sterling starts in conversation about all of the small talk that we don’t get to enjoy as much these days. It feels like no times has passed between us but we hardly know each other anymore all at the same time. Once we talk each other’s ears off, she proceeds to push me to try on my dress. I know it’ll fit, I had my last fitting a few weeks after the baby and I haven’t lost much more of the baby weight since then, but I think I’m more self-conscious of my new body more than anything which is why I hesitate slightly. But despite my silent protest, I know I have to do this for my best friend, so I try on the dress.
Sterling looks it over for any imperfections in the form of loose threads or uneven length. She decides it looks perfect on me and has me change back out of it. She then zips it back up into a garment back and reaches for two glasses of champaign that have been waiting for us on the side cart.
“Are you nervous?” I ask her as we sit in two chairs nearby, feeling a bit nervous myself for some reason.
“Nervous? No. Unless you call shitting your pants nervous,” she snorts, and I smile a cheesy grin.
“But enough about me, my big day is soon. What about you? What’s new? Any idea when you and Nolan will get married? I can’t wait to meet him by the way. Oh, and the baby!” Sterling talks with so much excitement that it kind of scares me.
I know people ask when we’re going to get married, but I guess I never felt more pressure than I have when the question comes from my best friend who is literally about to walk down the aisle in a few days.
I quickly gulp down the fizzy liquid and swallow hard.
“You’ll meet Maelie tomorrow, she’s a gem. Most of the time,” I deadpan. “And honestly, I’m not sure about all this. I mean, we talked about getting married and having a wedding at one point and decided we didn’t’ need to jump into all that right now. We had just gotten out of toxic relationships, and he’s already been married once. But I’m…” I trail off when I hear footsteps approach from behind us, echoing through the main room and getting closer. I sigh in relief and annoyance because I’m glad I don’t have to talk about the topic anymore but at the same time, I know it’s healthy to speak my thoughts out loud.
“Sterling, you’re needed in the kitchen.” Someone who looks likes they might be staff announces. Sterling finishes her drink and smiles at me.
“Sorry, bestie. Bride duties call. But I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night?” she asks, and I nod at her.
We stand up and Sterling wraps her arms around me. I return the hug with a big squeeze.
“I’m really proud of you,” I tell her before she lets go. “You’re going to look stunning.”
“I really am so happy, Dakota. It’s surreal but I’m so happy. And I know one day, when the time is right, you’ll get to experience this too. In your own way of course. I’m also really proud of you,” she tells me before bracing me one more time for another hug and then heads off toward the kitchen.
“Gerald is waiting out front for you,” she hollers as she walks away.
“That was fast,” I mention realizing that I’ve actually been here for two hours.
“We gave him a raise.” She winks at me and then disappears.
Six
Callan
I find Sterling finishing up some things with the kitchen staff. I’d just got done fixing the accidental double booking the venue decided to make. That would have been a disaster.
I approach my girl as she signs the last document for the catering approval, and I wait nearby for her to notice me. I fix the watch on my wrist as I watch my beautiful bride-to-be, amazed at how in just a two short days, she’ll officially be my wife.
“Oh hey.” She catches me staring and smiles my direction. “Thank you,” she tells the staff director and turns to walk my way.
“How did the dress fittings go, sweetheart?” I ask.
“Great actually. Everything looked perfect.”
“Good, I’m glad.” I reach my elbow out for her to link her arm through and I lead the way out of the venue and to the Rolls Royce Wraith. It’s one of her favorites.
“Did you get everything cleared up with the venue?” Her tone is worried, and rightfully so. But I told her I’d take care of it and I did.
