Christ, there was that word again. Why did everyone act like that was the most exciting thing you could be? It didn’t look that fun to Maddy. Meghan Markle, for example. She hadn’t had a very good time being a princess, had she?
Maddy stared at herself in a nearby mirror. The woman reflected back was objectively bridal, she supposed.
Adam smiled. ‘Oh, darling.’
Her mother pressed her hand to her chest. ‘Oh, Maddy.’
Oh, brother.
Maddy stood for as long as she could plaster a smile on her face before saying, ‘I think I’ll look at another.’
Back in the changing room, as Petra fussed with the next option on the rack, Maddy pulled out her phone.
She hesitated only a second before opening Eva’s contact. She snapped a photo of herself in the enormous gown and typed:
Dress day.
She didn’t expect a reply. In fact, what the hell was she even doing? Eva wasn’t contracted for dress opinions. Nor was she Maddy’s friend. This was too far. Maddy had overstepped.
But the phone buzzed almost immediately.
You look like you’re being eaten by it.
Maddy let out a startled, involuntary laugh. Petra looked around sharply.
Another message followed.
Can you move in it?
Maddy smiled as she tapped out a rapid response.
Not really.
Then it’s not a good dress,Eva replied.
Maddy wished she were here.
Petra held up another. ‘Ready for the next one?’
***
Dress Two was sleeker. It was a satin affair with a dramatic train and long sleeves that made Maddy feel a dash Victorian.
She walked out again.
Adam tilted his head. ‘That’s elegant.’
Maddy smiled and turned carefully so they could see the back. Her mother would want her money’s worth, emotionally speaking.
Her mother nodded. ‘Very sophisticated. Could be the one.’
Then she retreated to the changing room and, before Petra could unzip her, angled the mirror and took another photo.
Dress Two,she sent.
This time, the reply took thirty seconds.
Better. But you look like a high-end vampire who died in the eighteen hundreds. Which is fine if it’s what you’re going for.
