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We walk into a dress shop and I throw Harry a confused look. He simply smiles at me before walking up to an attendant. They have a short conversation involving Harry gesticulating and the attendant glancing at me. Shortly after that, the attendant smiles at him and leaves. He returns to where Jake and I are standing. “They will see you now.”
“I’d like to know what is going on before seeing anyone,” I tell him.
He waves around the shop. “This is Cecilia’s little haven when it comes to shopping. They will get you the perfect dress, exactly the one you want.”
I’m about to protest when he cuts me off. “I already covered the payment. Take it as my way of saying thank you. You have made this wedding planning a whole lot smoother.”
“Well, who am I to say no to that?” I smile at him brightly and I hear Jake grunt behind me.Probably has a policy against employees accepting gifts from clients.
“Let’s go then. They probably already have dresses laid out for you.” He leads ustowardthe dressing room, and sure enough, there are two ladies holding dresses in different colors. The attendant that Harry talked to walks up to me, grabs my shoulder, and assessesme.
“This is Anne. She and Cecilia have an understanding relationship and I’m sure you will come to love her too.”
Anne smiles at me. “Do you have a specific preference in mind?”
“Something simple and easy to move around in. I’m the wedding planner.” She nods in understanding and leads me to another room to change. I quickly turn around to see Jake and Harry taking the seats available. Jake looks less than pleased at being here.
The first dress is a simple black piece, an off-the-shoulder flare gown. I shake my head at my reflection. “This is not it.” Anne nods.
Five dresses later and I’ve already given up. I just want to go home.
“One last try?” Anne raises a finger and I nod, though I’m already thinking about what shoe I can pair with my brown pantsuit at home.
Anne returns with another dress. This time it’s a two-piece, a short sleeve crop top and a straight skirt with a high slit. Thetop and skirt materialis a beautiful blend of white and lilac. I like it immediately, and when I try it on, I fall in love. Giving Anne a big smile I say, “It’s the one.”
She breathes a sigh of relief. “Thought I was going to have to give up there, and I hate giving up.”
I turn around in the dress and look at my backside through the mirror. “Harry did not overestimate you.”
“Would you like to show them your pick?” she gestures outside.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” I say, already reaching for the zipper.
They all leave me to change. I realize too late that the zipper is stuck.Great.
“Anne? Are you there?” When there is no reply, I slowly poke my head outside the room. Jake is dozing off on the couch and neither Harry nor Anne is anywhere in sight. “Just perfect,” I groan to myself.
Walking up to him I poke his arm but he only grunts in reply.“Wake up! You big oaf.” I shake his shoulder and this time he looks up at me. He does not look amused.
“What?” he snaps and I frown at his tone. He gives me a once over and frowns. “That’s what you went with?”
“Why are you grumpy?” I snap back, but my arms unconsciously wrap around me. “I just needed help with my zipper. Don’t worry about it. I’ll go find Harry.”
I’m almost at the door when an arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back. My back comes in contact with something solid and I immediately jerk when I realize it’s his chest.
“I’ll do it.”Did he just growl at me?
CHAPTER8
JAKE
Harry and I have our suit fitting today. We arrive early at the shop so we can get it over with as soon as possible. Two hours later, I have to clench my fist so I don’t backhand the tailor when a needle pricks me. My suit is too tight.
“Do you have a date for the wedding,” Harry asks from his position on the three-seater in the shop.
“I have bigger things to worry about,” I reply, moving my arms around in the suit to make sure it fits just right. I nod my approval at the tailor.
“Still, a date won’t hurt anyone.”
