April let out a sigh, “I keep thinking about you not being there with me. And Iknowthat’s on me, I do. But. That’s where my head is right now and I can’t seem to get over it.”
Jade melted a little at the admission. “I know this is a big deal for you, and with it being your best friend’s wedding you want to find the perfect dress. I also know that no matter which you choose, if I was there, you’d be the only one I’d be looking at for the entire day. Regardless of you not being the bride. So, I’m sure Dani would be glad I’m not there, so she remains the center of everyone’s attention for the day.” Jade saw April’s lips twitch and the tension in her shoulders give a little.
“She is looking forward to her diva moment, not that she needs an excuse,” April said with a small laugh before looking at Jade. “I know it’s not just our situation that means you’re not going to be there. We didn’t find each other again before the seating chart was completed – I should know, I helped make it – but I just want you to know that Idowish you were going to be by my side that day as my partner.” April smiled nervously at Jade.
“Partner, huh?” She said softly, causing a blush to rise up April’s neck and settled on her cheeks.
“Well, yeah, I mean, girlfriend just doesn’t feel right, does it?” April asked in a whisper; uncertainty laced in her words.
“Babe, I don’t care what label works for us as long as I’m yours, and you’re mine. But that’s probably the safest for you so not to trip yourself up and come out by accident.” Jade winked.
“Ohmigod, new fear unlocked! Ok, yeah, that makes even more sense now. That’s why I’d also love you there so that you could save me from myself if thatdidhappen.” April squeezed Jade’s hands in hers and lowered her eyes slightly.
“Well, if I help you pick the dress, then maybe I’ll be there with you because of that, even just a little bit.” Jade said. “Now, how about we call them back in and you try the color you haven’t yet, but you absolutely should”.
April furrowed her brow in confusion, “which is?”
“A different shade, of course, but you have to try the same color as your eyes. You know how much I love those.” Jade winked and let go of April’s hands after giving them a quick squeeze.
Ten minutes later, the velvet curtain pulled back, and April made her way onto the platform. Jade’s heart stopped.
April stood in a petrol blue dress. It was made of satin which resembled water. The wide straps dropped to cap sleeves covering the tops of her shoulders. The floor-length was perfect to make her look a little taller, and the backless dress showed off some of those well-earned muscles that came from years of playing tennis.
Before April even had to ask, she caught Jade’s eyes in the mirror, fire burning between them.
“This is the one,” April announced with a smile lighting up her face, eyes locked with Jade’s. “I’ll take the matching shoes as well.” Their eyes didn’t part until April was making her way back to the changing room.
Chapter 24
April
40 minutes later, they sat in a local Brazilian restaurant enjoying a mix of meat and vegetable taster dishes to share.
April had been there a few times before with various friends and family and had never been recognized or interrupted for an autograph. With that in mind, she’d decided to bring Jade there for their proper, second official date after the boutique. They sat in a curved booth at the back corner of the restaurant. Although there were brightly colored artworks on the walls, the dark wood paneling around the lower half of the walls and Edison bulbs emitting low lighting over each table made the place darker than most other eateries around.
This also meant April knew she could place her hand on the seat between herself and Jade, and not-so-subtly encourage Jade to reach out and hold it with her own. The feeling of Jade’s hand holding her own, in public, was one she wasn’t expecting.
She had been excited to be able to do this small gesture. The one that every couple of every age participated in. The one she’d spent endless nights dreaming about while they were apart for all those weeks. She thought she’d be fine with it. She’d planned her choice of restaurant carefully for this very reason. She knew it was dark, and nobody could see from any of the surrounding tables. Not even the servers could see.
She was freaking out!
Her body tensed as soon as Jade’s hand touched hers. She set her fork down and reached for her water, and Jade must have noticed her fingers shake because not even a second later she removed her hand from April’s.
April was about to say something when Jade leaned forward to catch her eye and didn’t say a single word. She just let her eyes do all the talking. April felt her body slowly regulate as Jade’s reassurance quietly rolled over her like a gentle wave. She didn’t realize they had reached that stage already, but she was so glad that they had.
“So,” Jade said before reaching out to spoon more spiced rice onto her plate, “Do you need to get anything else for the wedding? Or do you have everything to go with your dress and shoes already?”
April smiled, wedding talk was much easier to do than fear of being outed.
“I’m not sure really. I mean, I have a few bags at home that I’ll check and see if they’ll go. The dress color is so unique that it’d have to be silver, I think? I can check with Dani and see what she has, too. She has waaay more accessories than everyone elseI know combined!” April laughed as she reached for a forkful of chicken.
“Like your very own personal boutique to raid when you need to?” Jade laughed.
“Exactly! It’s just a pity we’re different body shapes or I’d have a boutique’s worth of clothes to choose from too.” She took a drink before elaborating when she saw the raised eyebrow Jade was throwing her way. April had learned over the past few weeks that Jade was not one to accept April being hard on herself about her body in any way. “Dani and I have been living out of each other’s wardrobes for as long as I can remember. She borrows my clothes because she’s not as broad shouldered as I am, but I get to borrow any number of jeans and accessories that I want. It balances off really.”
“I never had that with anyone,” Jade admitted. “Although it’s not something I felt like I missed out on, either. I had such a specific way of dressing when not in sportswear, that nobody I knew even vaguely reflected. Cleo was older than me by so much that by the time I fit into any of her old clothes, they were way out of style. I was more likely to raid Evan’s wardrobe for something to wear though. That comes as a shock to you, I’m sure.” She laughed as she took a drink. “Emily has always been the most femme girl you could ever meet. Growing up she tried to teach me about make-up, but just like my mom did with cooking, she gave up and does it for me when needed for nights out. I don’t think she even owns anything other than skirts and dresses. Understandably, I’m not going anywherenearher wardrobe for ideas.” Jade added with a laugh.
“I think your style is perfect,” April said matter-of-factly. “I love that you know exactly who you are and are comfortable enough to confidently wear what you do without any apologies. I’ve never once seen you pull at your clothes, straighten out a crease, or adjust anything you’re wearing. You obviously knowhow to buy the right clothes for your body too, and you fit them so well.”
