Page 24 of Weddings on the West: Vol. I Brick & Destiny

“Y’all, I’m starting to think that I won’t find anything,” I whined. We had been at it for hours and nothing I tried on felt like the one… I didn’t even feel pretty.

“Can I help?” Eden huffed. I had been turning down her suggestions, knowing that she would have me in something way outside of my comfort zone.

“Fine,” I mumbled as Stasha helped me out of the long sleeved, lace dress that came all the way up to my neck and had a huge skirt. Eden rushed out to the floor without another word.

“You sure you trust her with this?” Stasha asked apprehensively.

“I mean… It’s not like it can get any worse.” I shrugged, making her frown. I had almost forgot that she was the one helping me pick all the others, but something had to give. At that point I was about to end up wearing the green dress that Brick hated so much. As if on cue, the moment he crossed my mind, his name flashed across my screen.

Brickly

How is it going?

I haven’t found anything that I liked yet… How’s work?

Brickly

A shit show. Two of my best girls got into it. Started fighting on the floor, and I had to fire them.

Dang! You fired them because they were fighting?

Brickly

I fired them because they fucked up the money. I had to reimburse people for spilled drinks and food because they couldn’t keep their emotions in check. If you don’t find anything, let me know. We may have to find you someone out of state, or get a custom design, but I’ll handle it.

Thank you, Brickly.

Brickly

No problem, Peep.

“Okayyyy, so I know you wanna be all modest, but I feel like we need a happy medium. We gotta give a little bit of titty to keep from looking like a nun,” Eden said as she rushed back in the room.

“What’s wrong with nuns?” Stasha frowned. Eden turned and looked her square in the face. The two of them never got along.

“Nuns don’t get married, Stasha—or fucked.” Her face softened when she turned back to me. “Try this on.”

“I don’t know… It looks a little much,” I said, swallowing nervously.

“It’s not that bad, I promise. Just a little shoulder and the slightest cleavage.”

“Yeah, but you know they won’t approve,” I said softly. Even though he was the reason I was in this crazy predicament, for some reason, Daddy’s approval still mattered to me.

“They ain’t paying for shit,” she argued. “Des, please. If you don’t like it, no harm, no foul. I won’t be upset. I just want you to try it. You tried on every dress Stasha picked out. Please just try one for me?” I knew she wasn’t trying to make me feel guilty, but I did.

I stepped back into the dressing room and climbed into the satiny dress. At first glance, it was pretty, with a neckline that I never would have chosen for myself and long off the shoulder sleeves. Eden came in to help me zip myself up and we both stared straight ahead in the mirror. My mouth dropped when I saw how my body looked in the dress… How I looked in the dress. I didn’t go to prom, so this was my first time wearing something so fancy.

“Now, before you turn it down, just hear me out. We can press your hair out, a little makeup… Just—” Eden started, moving around me in a circle as she spoke.

“I love it,” I cooed dreamily, unable to take my eyes away from my reflection.

“What?” she choked out like she just knew I was about to shoot her down.

“I love it… I feel so pretty.” I sighed, fighting back tears.

“Because you are. I keep telling you that, bitch!” She said, immediately extinguishing the sappy mood. “Now let’s run up this black card and find me something that’ll get my ass ate out the frame during the reception!” I laughed as she skipped out of the room again. Before I stepped out to show Stasha, I picked up my phone and texted Brick again.

I think I found it!