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“Are you saying you want to take me shopping?” I asked. The surprises just kept on coming.
“Of course. I know that dinner the other night wasn’t exactly a perfect first meeting, but when Logan told me the wedding was this weekend, I realized that I wanted a do-over.” She gave me a smile that was incredibly genuine. “What better way than to help you choose the perfect dress?”
“That’s really nice, but I can’t just leave work in the middle of the day…”
“Don’t be silly,” she chided lightly. “Logan will be fine on his own for one afternoon. Won’t you, dear?”
She turned to Logan, who’s eyes darted back and forth between us for a moment. Then, they finally landed on me.
“Youdoneed a dress,” he pointed out.
“Yes, but I couldn’t possibly go shopping for one without my own mom there,” I blurted out.
I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous to be alone with Jacquie, but I was looking for any excuse to avoid that scenario. My mom knew this was a fake wedding, so she wouldn’t have cared if she wasn’t there.
“No problem,” Jacquie said. “We’ll bring her along.”
Well, I guess was out of excuses.
So, I made a phone call to my mother, telling her to meet us at a bridal shop that Jacquie insisted we go to. Logan handed over his credit card, and we left the office together.
My mom managed to arrive at the bridal shop just as we were parking in the lot. After introductions, we walked into the shop together to find ourselves surrounded by dozens of white dresses. There were so many options, and I had no idea where to start. I hadn’t really thought about what style of dress I’d like to wear.
“Hello, can I help you?”
The only employee I could see working in the small shop came out from behind the counter with a bright smile.
Jacquie stepped forward, clearly ready to handle the situation. “Yes, my future daughter-in-law would like to try on any wedding dresses you have in her size.”
I appreciated Jacquie taking charge. I was way out of my element here, and she seemed like a woman that liked giving orders.
The employee’s eyes scanned me from head to toe. “Size ten?”
My eyebrows popped up in surprise. “Yeah.”
Everything happened so quickly after that. I was shown to a dressing room and the woman started bringing in dress after dress for me to try on. My Mom sat with Jacquie on an ivory couch with glasses of champagne in their hands as I was helped into the dresses.
I kept coming out to show them the options, getting their opinions on dresses of various styles. Long sleeve, short sleeve, and strapless. Puffy and form-fitting. Simple and elegant.
Most of the gowns fit well, and I liked a few of them, but nothing felt like the right one. I told myself that it didn’t matter. It was just a show for Logan’s family, but I kept trying on dresses anyway.
Every time I came out of the dressing room, my mom and Jacquie were chatting, and I was happy to see that they were getting along. I just hoped my mom could convincingly act like this was a real wedding while they talked.
Finally, I pulled on a dress that was perfect. Looking in the mirror, it stole my breath, and I knew that this was the dress I had to buy. With thin straps and a sweetheart neckline, it had an intricately beaded top and a tulle skirt that flowed around my legs like water. It was gorgeous.
When I walked out of the dressing room, the conversation between my mom and Jacquie trailed off. The two of them openly stared at me in awe, and I could see it in their eyes. They loved it just as much as I did. How could they not?
“Mia, you look beautiful,” my mom said.
I turned in front of the full-length mirror to get a look at it from all sides, and I had to agree. But for some reason, I suddenly had a hollow ache in the center of my chest. It was just like my engagement ring. Yeah, the objects were perfect, but they also made things feel more real . . . when they weren’t.
This was a sham, a temporary situation. I had to remember that.
This wasn’t my happily-ever-after.
I used Logan’s credit card to buy the dress. I was checking out with Jacquie at my side while my mom used the bathroom. Once the dress was in a garment bag, ready to be taken home and hung in my closet until the big day, Jacquie and I waited by the door.
“I’m glad we have a moment alone together,” Jacquie said. “I wanted to talk to you.”
