AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I fly in Thursday afternoon. Madeline’s picking me up but. . .” she took a deep breath, the air coming from her shaking. “I’ll see you at the rehearsal, and we can talk after the wedding still. . . right?”
“Right.”
“Ok um. . . I hope you have a good night.”
“Phe,” I said, stopping her from saying goodbye.
She hummed.
“I really do. . . miss you.”
“I really miss you too, Clay.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
-Ophelia-
JoAnn slowly unlocked the door to the store. Paper still covered the windows, not giving me even a single glimpse as to what was inside. My heart did backflips in my chest. The warehouse was beautiful enough just watching the gowns being put together. What was going to happen when I saw the store? Would I even be able to contain myself?
“Ophelia Fuller, are you ready to see your very own wedding gown boutique?” JoAnn slid the key into the lock and turned to look at me, a smile from ear to ear.
I nodded, balling my hands into fists. The glass door opened, and Carter and JoAnn slunk in first, and they both started tearing off the paper that covered the windows. I stepped in, trying to see everything in the light from the windows, but as soon as JoAnn turned on the lights, it came to life.
Cream walls with white beams and accents, allowing the sections from dresses to be separated. The walls dipped into small arches where the dresses would be displayed, and empty photo frames sat in between each arch. Small accent chairs and sofas were scattered, still covered in plastic to protect them, and on the opposite wall, there was a pedestal with a gallery of mirrors, allowing the bride to see every angle. Toward the back was the counter, simple and plain with the same cream walls.
It was beautiful in every way. It fit with what I saw in my head, and even though JoAnn and I only spoke about it briefly, she was able to capture my vision. The pure fact it was here, it was real. . .
Tears began to well up in my eyes as I spun around the room, my palms flat against my stomach, a reminder to breathe.
“Well,” JoAnn said softly, “what do you think?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but JoAnn started to talk again.
“The logo you chose will be made into a sign to go behind the counter, and I was thinking about metal floral accidents around. The frames that are empty. Well, Carter is going to pick his favorites from your trip to frame. We will have models and a photoshoot, and the chairs and sofas will go in front of each pedestal area for the brides. It’s coming together very nicely. It’s 80% done. . . but, what do you think?” Her thoughts were everywhere, filling in the gaps as she walked around, using her hands to bring the rest of it to life.
I swallowed, taking a deep breath before blinking, allowing tears to fall.
“JoAnn,” I croaked, my voice coming out deeper and shaker than I intended. “This is. . .”
“I told you she’d love it,” Carter mumbled, a smile on his lips as he raised his camera.
“I do,” I finally mustered. “I really, really do. I can’t believe it.”
JoAnn clapped her hands together. “Wonderful! The back is the warehouse, and there’s a studio upstairs. We got the perfect location, and I am just counting down until opening day.” She stepped forward, grabbing my hand to pull me through the rest of the boutique. “Let me show you the back, and the mannequins and artwork to hang. I think you’ll love it.”
I knew I would. I loved everything I had been shown so far.
The only thing that was missing. . .
. . . was Clay.
Ophelia: Shooting you over flight details. You’re still okay to pick me up, right?
I sent the text to Madeline, thinking she would be at work and unable to answer me, so when my phone instantly dinged back before I could put my phone down, I gave a small chuckle.
Madeline: Yes! And then you, me, and Jamie are going to be making the centerpieces!
I smiled, loving that something was being saved until the last minute. It wouldn’t be a wedding without the late-night bridal party putting something together.
