Page 57 of High Water

“I’ve already found a couple I think would look good on you.” The small smile on her face has me hopeful that this isn’t going to be a complete disaster. “She has them in the dressing room for you to try on.”

“Are they all black?” It’s my favorite color, but I suspect Bishop wouldn’t love the symbolism.

“No, there are a few color ones, but I didn’t pick any white ones yet.”

“I think we might be able to skip the white ones.” Technically, I shouldn’t have worn it for the first wedding, particularly since Fallon was there.

“Maybe a champagne color? Or a pale pink?” Hazel looks down the rack.

“Or a red to set off the color in your eyes?” Dakota pulls a gorgeous red ball gown off the rack.

“Okay, but I think you should try that one on. That looks so pretty with your hair and skin color.”

“And Grant would die if you wore red.” Hazel beams. “Which would make it more fun.”

“I honestly think he’d secretly love it,” I add when I see the wheels start to turn in Dakota’s mind.

“He calls you Hellfire. Wouldn’t a red dress make sense?” Hazel cheers her on.

“That’s gorgeous.” Fallon chimes in, too, when she comes back after adding another dress to the dressing room for me to try on.

“All right. All right. I’ll try it on. But I still maintain Aspen should consider it too.”

“You’ll pull it off far better than I could.” I shake my head. It’s gorgeous, and if I were still Dakota’s age, I might consider it. But I want something more understated and serious.

“Hazel has to find something to try on as well.”

“I might have it.” She pulls a white one from the rack, with a corseted bodice and a free-flowing, billowy skirt with a slit up the side. It looks exactly like the kind of thing she would wear. “Worth trying on anyway.” She shrugs.

“All right. Let’s hit the dressing rooms.” I jerk my chin in that direction, and we all head to the back. There’s a big middle section with couches and a sprawling wall of mirrors with a platform in the center, one that makes the perfect stage while we all take turns in the gowns and dresses we’ve managed to amass in our respective changing rooms.

“Oh, I love that,” I say as I press my fingers to my lips when Fallon takes a turn in a deep-purple tea-length dress. “It’s beautiful on you, and it makes your eyes pop.”

“I think I might love it too.”

“Like or love? Bishop won’t be happy unless it’s something you love.”

“Love, I think.” She smooths the skirt down a bit. “If they could take it in a little here and there.” She points to spots she wants altered.

“We’ll have to see if they have time. It’s short notice.”

“Your turn.” She urges me back into another change.

I left the best for last. It’s black, and I’m not sure how he’ll take it. But he damn well knows I don’t want to wear white. Not at a second wedding with our teenage daughter there. White or something more classically wedding-coded would feel fake. Like part of the show we’re trying to put on for everyone else, and I’d rather do something for him if he’s buying it. Bishop’s always liked me in black, and I don’t suppose the black boots and black leather miniskirt that he might prefer would fly with Grandma Bradford, so hopefully this is the next best thing.

The second I step out in it and see everyone’s faces, I know I’ve made the right choice.

“That’s perfect!” Fallon claps her hands together at the dress she picked out.

“I love it.” Dakota grins.

“Same. It’s stunning on you, Aspen. I know it’s unconventional, but then, so is everything else about you two. It works.”

“I love it too.” I twirl on the platform, and the black lace undulates over the floor. “Let’s do it. But I’m blaming all of you if he hates it.”

“He won’t,” Hazel reassures me.

“I need help with the zipper. I barely got it up on my own.” I turn my back to them, and Dakota helps me start the zipper so I can finish it in the dressing room.