“Do you mind if I FaceTime my best friend?”
“If you mean Chelsi, absolutely not. That girl is a hoot. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone who isn’t actually attending the event send meso manyemails or texts.”
I chuckle, covering my mouth with my hand, remembering how I warned Jake about what would happen if he gave Addison’s contact details to Chelsi. “That sounds like her. She has a love for fashion.”
“And a very good eye. I’m surprised she hasn’t pursued a career in it. I’d hire her on the spot if she ever wanted to move to Nashville or LA.” Addison heads over to the clothing rack to select the next option.
I reach for my phone on the end table in the hotel suite and FaceTime Chelsi.
“Oh my God. Is that the green dress Addison sent me pics of? It looksgorgeous!” Chelsi exclaims as soon as the video call connects. “Turn around and let me see the back.”
“Hello to you, too,” I reply, angling the phone so she can see the reflection in the floor-length mirror.
“Do you love it?”
“I don’t know. It’s fine.”
“Ugh. I shouldn’t have listened to you and come anyway. I knew this was going to happen. You’re getting in your head about walking the red carpet with Jake and freaking out. It’s preventing you from enjoying the moment. You’re wearingfreakingdesigner gowns. Do you know what I’d do to be in your shoes?”
I shake my head and laugh. “You know fashion isn’t my thing. I feel so out of my element.”
“That’s why you have a stylist andme.” Chelsi points at herself and grins widely. “We’re all you need to find the perfect dress, jewelry, and shoes. Place your trust in us, and we’ll make sure Jake can’t keep his hands off you.” Chelsi smirks and arches her eyebrows.
Addison giggles and adds, “Not sure it matters what Kate wears. From what I’ve seen, he can’t keep his hands off her now.” Addison walks the short distance over to me and waves at the screen. “It’s nice to see you, Chelsi. Next time, you need to come and help us in person.”
“I plan on it,” Chelsi replies, squinting into the camera like she’s trying to make out which dresses are on the rack behind me. “Has she tried on the cream floral Valentino gown yet?”
Addison shakes her head. “That was the next one up. I’m not sure how Kate will like it. She made an interesting face when she saw it on the hanger.”
“I did not.” I hold the phone in one hand and place the other on my hip. “I was merely admiring all the dresses and wasslightlyoverwhelmed by the drastically different styles. This is well outside my comfort zone.”
“That’s why we’re here. Technically, that’s why Addison is with you in LA, and I’m on the phone for moral support. Why don’t you give Addison the phone and try on the cream dress? I have a feeling it might be the one.” A glint of mischief sparkles in Chelsi’s eyes.
After I hand Addison my phone, she unzips my current dress, and I head into the bathroom to change while she continues talking to Chelsi. The two of them have quickly become friends, but who doesn’t adore Chelsi when they meet her? She has one of those personalities that draws you in and makes you want to get to know her more. It’s one of the reasons why it’s so frustrating that she’s struggled in the romance department for so long. She should have men lining up and down the block trying to woo her, not the caravan of misfit red flags that follows her everywhere—almost like there is some type of red-flag homing beacon attached to her.
After I shimmy the floral beaded dress up my body, I take a few seconds to admire the gown in the bathroom mirror.Although it’s not what I would’ve picked out for myself, there is definitely something special about it. It’s elegant and whimsical at the same time.
When I walk into the room, Addison gasps and quickly switches the camera for Chelsi to see me.
“Holy shit! I told you that was the one,” Chelsi shouts from the speakerphone. “Let Addison zip you up and put on the sheer capelet. Ineedto see the full picture.”
Addison hands me the phone, and I flip the camera so I can talk to Chelsi while Addison gathers the various accessories she has in mind for the dress.
“Do you really think this is what I should wear?” I ask nervously, chewing on the corner of my lip. “The dress is gorgeous, but I want to make sure I pick out the right one. I want Jake to be proud to have me on his arm.”
I don’t doubt Jake’s love for me one bit or his desire to have me walk the red carpet with him, because he’s been very vocal about both. It’s the press and social media I worry about and their reactions to how I look by his side. While some fans support me and our relationship, the loudest voices are the ones who don’t. The ones who criticize everything I say, do, and wear, as if I’ve chosen to be a celebrity when I’ve merely fallen in love with someone who has a public life. The last thing I want on a night when we should be celebrating Jake’s accomplishment is to become a distraction. To end up on some worst-dressed list or as a meme on social media. Or get further ridiculed in the comments for thinking I deserve to be with Jake.
“Let’s be real, you could wear a paper bag, and Jake would be proud to have you on his arm. I’d be appalled by your fashion choices, but he wouldn’t care. That man loves you for who you are. What you wear doesn’t matter to him. He only wants you to feel comfortable in whatever you choose and to be by his side.”Chelsi tucks a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Think of the red carpet as your chance to play princess for the night.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t my thing growing up.”
Chelsi shakes her head. “Fine. We won’t pretend you’re Cinderella going to the ball. How about you think of it as practice for your wedding? Because this gown is definitely giving bridal vibes, and all eyes will be on you.”
I glance at the gown, then at my reflection in the mirror. Chelsi’s right. It has a slight bridal flair to it, not enough to be classified as a wedding dress by any means, but it wouldn’t surprise me if brides chose it as an after-party dress. “I should wear something different. I don’t want to create the impression?—”
“Stop right there. Wearing this dress won’t put any ideas into Jake’s head that haven’t been there for months. I swear, that man has been ready to wife you up since he first kissed you,” Chelsi replies.
“I second that,” Addison says as she slowly zips up the gown. “Plus, Chelsi’s right about this dress. It’s almost like it was made for you. There are barely any alterations we’ll have to make to it.”
