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My brows raise as I take a sip of my mimosa, but my best friend just smiles innocently. Today, I’m going wedding dress shopping. However, according to Tatum, it’s a big deal and requires at least half a day of festivities – which is why I’m currently at brunch with her, Ivy, and my mom. Tatum recommended I invite Parker’s mother as well, but I didn’t see a point. It’s not like she would fly over from England just to see me try on a few dresses.
Another text comes through, making my phone vibrate in my hand.
Colton: Working like a normal person on a weekday.
Then another.
Colton: Day drinking? Should I be looking up AA meetings in the area? Have you become the next good girl gone bad?
I can’t help but grin at his antics.
McKenna: Definitely. Alert the press.
Colton: I can see the headlines now. “McKenna Taylor – How She Went From Pretty, Pretty, Princess to Drunken, Drunken, Slob.”
Laughter bubbles out of my mouth before I can stop it, causing everyone to look my way. Mom doesn’t seem too concerned, but Tatum and Ivy share a suspicious look. It’s like they’re communicating without words before Ivy sighs and turns to me.
“What’s got you all giggly?”
Can I tell them? Are they capable of understanding? If they knew I was texting Colton, would they really think it’s a good idea? Ivy might not try to stop me, but Tatum would give me the lecture of all lectures. I can practically hear her voice in my head, reminding me of how much he hurt me and how stupid I am for even giving him the time of day. I mean, it’s not like they’re enemies – she likes Colton. She just doesn’t like Colton for me. To be honest, I don’t blame her. She saw the damage he caused that night. Maverick was confused for the seven weeks Tatum refused to be anywhere near him when he was around his best friend. There was no way she could explain why though. If my brother found out the reason why I stayed away from home the past four years, he would kill him with his bare hands, then sit down at the dinner table like nothing happened.
“Just something Parker said.” I lie, hoping to hell they can’t see through it.
Tatum and my mom coo, breaking off into their own conversation about how cute we are together. Ivy, however, gives me a knowing look. I smile apologetically and glance over towards Tatum, hoping she gets the point – she does. It’s like an unspoken bond between my best friend and me. She knows that I’ll tell her everything when I figure it out for myself, and I know she’ll have my back no matter what it is.
THE FOUR OF US finish our meals and alcoholic beverages, then climb into the ridiculously unnecessary limo that Tatum insisted on reserving. I told her repeatedly that we didn’t need one. The boutique is so close to the restaurant that we could walk there and then each take an Uber home if we were too intoxicated to drive, but she didn’t listen. Every time I suggest doing things in a way that’s less than spectacular, she gives me this long speech about how you only plan a wedding once and it should be the best time of your life. Well, I don’t know about her, but the best time of my life would be sitting on the beach and drinking a beer.
The bridal boutique is filled with extravagant dresses. They have everything from short and cocktail-like, to ones with a poof large enough to fit the whole wedding party underneath it. I was instructed to look up some styles before coming, but then Colton and I had gotten into a debate about whether longboards are better than shortboards and all thoughts of my upcoming nuptials went flying out the window.
“Welcome to Atelier Cape Ann. Do you have an appointment?”
The woman standing in front of us is older, maybe mid-sixties. Her gray hair goes down to just above her shoulders. She gives off the same compassionate vibes my mom does. It’s comforting.
“We do.” Tatum answers. “It’s under McKenna Taylo
r.”
“Ah, I see. And are you the bride?”
I don’t miss the way she winces at the question. She’s been waiting for my brother to propose to her for years now. I’m sure he heard an earful when Parker and I got engaged. To be honest, I don’t know what he’s waiting for. They’ve been together for almost eight years. If he doesn’t pop the question soon, she’s going to leave him behind and find someone who’s willing to commit.
“I’m not. This-” She gestures toward me. “-is McKenna.”
The woman puts out her fragile hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Taylor. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you, and you can just call me McKenna.”
“Well, then you can just call me Sophie.” She smiles. “I have a room in the back set up for you and your guests. There’s champagne and water bottles for your enjoyment. Is there any kind of dress style you had in mind?”
Tatum gives me a look, making me immediately feel guilty for not doing the research I was supposed to. An idea comes to mind and I jump on it.
“Honestly, I couldn’t really decide. I was hoping my friends could help me out with that. They know what looks best on me.”
“Correction, I know what looks best on you.” Ivy pipes up. “Miss Limousines and Mimosas over there will have you looking like something out of candy land.”
“Hey!”
I put my hand up to stop the argument I know is coming. “Nope, she has a point. Okay, it has to be ivory or white, and can’t fit more than one person underneath it.”
