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Noneof which felt right.
I was right on the verge of chalking it all up to not really being invested in the wedding in the first place when the sales associate asked a question that staggered me a little.
“Would you like to see Mr. Sterling’s picks for you?”
All four of us went quiet, stunned by the question. Not the fact that she’d asked, but the fact that he’d made “picks.” Honestly, I would have expected those to be the only options I was even shown. But then, when an awkward moment had passed without an answer, she further explained.
“I was instructed not to offer them to you unless you weren’t seeing anything that worked for you.”
With that additional information, Morgan was the first to speak up.
“Oh yes ma’am, weneedto see those.”
I rolled my eyes, but nodded my affirmation when the sales associate looked to me for approval. “Exactly how naked are we thinking these dresses are going to be?” I asked, re-belting the robe around my waist. “And do we think it’s going to be dripping in crystals, so everyone knows how rich he is?”
Alexis laughed. “I’m thinking diamonds, maybe.”
“I think it’s going to be lace,” Aunt Lucy spoke up. “His parents got married in Sugar Valley. I remember the pictures in all the society pages. His mother’s dress was a beautiful lace gown, with these sleeves that came over her hands, and thatveil, edged in all that intricate beading,” she gushed, clearly bringing the visual to her mind. “If he decided the wedding venue would be the same as his parents, it wouldn’t surprise me if he wanted the bride to look like his mother.”
My eyes went wide. “I will jump off the roof ofNectarbefore I play into some sick Oedipus fantasy, oh myGod,” I fussed, worried that she would be right.
That concern was quickly dispelled when the sales associate pulled me back to the dressing room, with three options on display.
They were all…gorgeous.
Nothing like what I would’ve thought to choose for myself, but exquisite all the same – almost scarily so.
There was a classic organza ball gown, a mermaid style with a feathered tulle skirt, and a draped illusion net gown – no beading, lace, crystals or diamonds in sight. I did my best to truly consider each one, but my mind was made up at first glance, honestly.
My little crew collectively gasped when I stepped out in the mermaid gown.
It was unquestionably stunning on the hanger, but even more so on me. I hadn’t realized the bodice was made in a way that my deep brown skin would—tastefully—show through, with all the scandalous parts fully covered.
“That’sthe one,” Aunt Lucy spoke. A conclusion I’d already come to, but was underlined by the emotion in her voice and tears in her eyes. “Your mother would be amessif she could see you right now.”
Immediately, I shook my head. “Don’t… don’t do that,” I pleaded. “I’m trying to keep it together, and if you start, I’m gonna start, and we’ll all just be a mess.”
“Well go ahead and take the damn dress off so it doesn’t get ruined, ’cause I’ma cry.” Morgan laughed. True to her word, there were already tears streaking down her cheeks as she lifted her phone to snap pictures.
The sales associate quickly took over, getting snapshots of us all together, toasting, all the customaryfound the dresscelebrations.
I hated to admit it, but… it was great.
Ididtake the dress off, and wedidall cry, like fucking babies.
By the time I made it back toNectar, I was in much better spirits than when I left. I was barely even fazed by the full inbox of store drama waiting for me.
I was ready for whatever came my way.
TEN
ORION
I didn’t like doingthings fast.
Spur of the moment or last minute—either way made me itch with annoyance that was impossible to scratch.
Thank God for Shi.
