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“Getting married.”
“Getting married,” she echoes. “And my man isn’t near as broody now that we’ve set a wedding date.” She chuckles.
The rest of the drive we talk about ideas for the wedding. It’s going to be freezing cold that time of year, and Sawyer wants the service to be short and sweet, considering it’s outside. “Let’s go to the dress shop first,” I suggest. “All this talk about dresses and wraps has me itching to see what you pick.”
“I’m just looking,” she reminds me.
“You say that but what if you find the dress? We have to buy it.”
“Most brides look for months before they find their dream dress for their weddings.”
“Maybe, but I’m feeling lucky.” She throws her head back in laughter as she parks her SUV outside the dress shop. “Let’s do this,” I say, reaching for the door handle.
“Layla,” Sawyer breathes my name. Reaching out, she grabs my arm and stops me. “There are so many.”
She’s right. This bridal shop is huge, and there are rows and rows of dresses. “I’m thinking we’re going to need some help.”
“What can I help you find today?” an older lady asks as she approaches us.
Sawyer just stands there in awe of our surroundings. “Hi, I’m Layla, and this is Sawyer, the bride. She’s having a winter wedding, so we would need something long-sleeved, and thicker, I’m guessing.”
“Of course, it’s nice to meet both of you. My name is Mary. Sawyer, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Sawyer says, finding her voice.
“Now, are we having an indoor or outdoor wedding?”
“Outdoor. Just for a quick ceremony. Then I’m hoping we can rent tents and heaters for the reception.”
“Perfect. Right this way.” She leads us to the back of the building where we see a sign indicating Winter/Outdoor.
“Wow, you’re really organized,” Sawyer says.
“We have to be,” Mary replies. “With a building this size and over five thousand dresses to choose from, we need all the organization we can get. Now, tell me what you’re thinking.”
We spend the next ten minutes or so telling Mary all of the elements that Sawyer and I discussed on the way here. Mary leads us to a private dressing room and excuses herself to bring us a few options.
“I should FaceTime Hadley. She’s going to be pissed that she missed this.”
“Hey, it’s not your fault she’s on vacation.”
“Right? We’ll have to remind her of that.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and initiates a video call with her best friend. “Hey, Had.” She turns the phone so that I can wave. “This is Layla, Owen’s girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you. What are the two of you getting into?” Hadley asks.
“Well, I’m at a bridal store, dress shopping.”
“No way! Layla, how did you get her to do that?” Hadley asks.
“It was her idea. I’m just moral support,” I manage to answer, still reeling by being referred to as Owen’s girlfriend. I love the sound of it.
Hadley’s laughter fills the air. “Sawyer, give Layla your phone. I’m settling in for this.”
“I know you’re on vacation. I just wanted you to know.”
“We’re lying on the beach. Derek is sleeping next to me.” She pans the phone so we can see a tanned Derek sleeping on a towel under the umbrella next to her. “I was too engrossed in this book to fall asleep,” she says, closing her Kindle and tossing it into her bag. “This… the two of you have my full attention.”
“Here you are,” Mary says as she enters the room, pushing a rolling cart with several dresses hanging. “Sawyer, have a look and let me know what you’re thinking.”
Grabbing her phone, I point it so Hadley can see what’s going on. Sawyer walks up to the cart and begins to sift through the dresses. When her eyes light up, Hadley squeals, and I know she’s found the one. You don’t get that look for just any dress.
“Try it on,” Hadley and I say at the same time.
Sawyer looks over at me, and I nod. I watch as she carefully takes the dress from the cart and disappears behind the changing curtain.
“Layla?” I turn the phone so I’m now facing the screen. “You can’t let her back out. She’s going to look gorgeous, and she’s going to try and talk herself out of it. Don’t let her. I’m not there to kick her in the ass.”
“I’m all over it.” I chuckle.
“She’s going to say it’s too much, but we both know Royce will have other ideas about that.”
“For sure. If she balks, I’ll call him.”
“Perfect,” Hadley says just as Sawyer calls out that she’s ready.
I turn the phone back around, and when she appears, Hadley and I both gasp and tell her that she looks beautiful. She does. The dress has a fitting bodice that flares at the hips, long-sleeved, and a white faux fur shawl wrapped around her shoulders. It’s perfect, and she looks like a winter angel.
