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“Why did you stop? We’re not there yet.” I look around at the other cars on the road.
“It’s okay. I want to finish our talk first.”
My friend, always looking out for me, even when she has her own wedding to plan. Maybe I’m not that unlucky after all. I look away, not meeting her inquiring gaze. “I fear, eventually, he’ll find something in me that he hates.”
There. I said it.
“Rose, why would you say that?” She grabs my hands, making me look at her. “Did Zander say something?” Kristy asks hesitantly. I hate her doubting Zander, and I hate myself more for making her do so.
“No, never. It’s all me. I know I’m not thinking straight.” I chew on my lower lip. “But it’s…my first relationship. I fear… I’ll do something wrong and lose him.” My voice cracks.
Crab, I don’t want to cry on the way to shop for my best friend’s wedding dress. “I’m sorry.”
She smiles and puts her hand on my shoulders. Rubbing my back, she tries to calm my nerves as always. “I’ll confess something but promise you won’t be mad.”
“Um, what is it?” I’m surprised by the sudden change of topic.
“No. First, promise.” A tiny smile pulls on her face, abating some of my anxiety.
“I promise,” I reply, turning toward her in my seat.
“Zander and I talked before he came to our house the first night.” She pushes the red curls away from her face and squints my way.
“What?” My stomach tenses at the thought of what they might have discussed about me, and why Zander felt the need to talk to someone else. “W-what did you… talk about?”
You, you idiot, my brain screams.
“We talked about Zander’s fear of losing you.”
My mouth opens and closes in disbelief.
“He said the exact same thing,” Kristy repeats, confirming I heard her right. She tilts her head to the side and a pleasant smile covers her lips. “He feared he might do something that’ll lead you to hate him.”
“Really? He said that?” I’m having a hard time imagining Zander being unsure of himself. Uncertainty is for people like me, not him.
But she nods. “He loves you, Rose. I can see it in his eyes. I could see it that day.” She rests her hand over mine, which is clutching my bag too tight. “Don’t be afraid of doing something wrong. Zander will always find something cute in those mistakes. Remember the sandwich? It’s a crime to feed your boyfriend that piece of crap.”
I snort, which is followed by her laughter.
As always, she’s taken away my fears and rolled them into hope.
We’re quiet for the rest of the drive, until we reach the small store and find Clementine lying on the floor, her legs propped up on the wall and a notebook on her chest as she sleeps.
“Someone’s gonna rob you someday.” Kristy opens the unbolted door and throws a tissue she just balled up at Clem, who sits upright lazily, not a care in the world.
“Hello, sis-in-law,” Clementine drawls. “To be honest, I’d love for someone to come inside, even if for robbing.” She gets up and grabs three soda cans from her mini fridge.
I snicker at her one-of-a-kind joke. Looking around at her store, I notice all her mannequins are dressed in silk gowns this time.I take a seat on one of the colorful chairs as Clementine dumps the contents scattered on the table to the beige carpet.
“There’s an exhibition in Italy next week—Dress in Silk,” Clem explains when she notices Kristy inspecting the dresses up close.
“Will your work be presented?” I ask, following Kristy’s moves as her hands glide over the soft fabric.
“No, it’s only for the local Italian fashion houses. I just got excited with the idea of being part of such an event in the future.”
She waves her hand, making light of it, but even I, a fashion illiterate, can see this isn’t just some random stuff done in excitement. There has to be more than ten pieces, and each is beautiful in its own way.
“One day, you are gonna get your chance, Clem.” Kristy squeezes her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s shoulder before perching next to me.
