Chapter 34 #2
“Lovely choice. That’s part of our Sapphire Collection. Why don’t I bring you over to the modeler? Not all stores have it, but we do.” He led me over to an area that said Dubois Sapphire Collection, and there was a kiosk and some sort of photo booth.
“Can’t I try on the dress?” I blinked.
“Step into the scanner and it takes a complete 360-degree photo of your body. At the kiosk, you can see how you’d look in any of our Sapphire Collection dresses.
You order what you’d like and pay at the kiosk.
They’re made to measure and will be here at the store for you to collect in about eight weeks,” he informed me.
My heart fell. “I don’t have eight weeks.”
“I’m happy to show you a couple of lovely dresses that we have right here in-store that are similar,” he offered.
“Why can’t she try on the one in the window? It looks like it’s the perfect size,” Riley questioned.
My thoughts exactly.
“Um, I have to talk to the manager. Usually we don’t do that,” he replied.
“Darling, why don’t I talk to the manager, and you look around and see what else you can find? They do have lovely dresses here,” Spencer said.
“Okay.” I followed the associate, telling him about the party we were having. He pulled out some exquisite dresses. I had to admit that some of them could work if I couldn’t have the one in the window.
He led Riley and I back to a beautiful dressing suite and brought us pink lemonade and little pink cakes.
“Just try,” he suggested. “If none of these from the special occasion collection work, we still have the rest of the store. We will find you the perfect dress in time, even if we need to order dresses from Paris or New York and have them overnighted here for you to try on.”
“Okay, thank you.” I appreciated his positivity.
“Would another store have that dress in a different size?” Riley asked.
“The Sapphire display dresses are returned orders. Each store has different styles and sizes. It’s not that we wouldn’t sell it to you, but they’re a pain to take off,” he confessed. “But the manager will have the measurements, so if it’s close, maybe she will?”
Did Spencer know my measurements? Never mind, he’d bought me dresses before, and if he didn’t know them exactly, Andre probably had them from my fittings.
I tried on a pale gold dress that was a very similar style but with a different neckline and a hint of a train.
Oh? I took pictures and sent them to Evan and Verity.
Verity
That is beautiful. Very elegant and understated. Where are you?
Me
House of Dubois.
Verity
Goals. Modeling their bridal collection is something I’ve always wanted to do.
Me
I’d come see you do that.
I came out. “I like it.”
“You look incredible,” Riley agreed.
I tried on another. The tulle skirt was puffy, and it reminded me of the silver one I wore to the Morris Foundation gala. Riley had picked it out. I was a little lost in its largeness.
I sent more pictures.
“So?” I spun in front of the three-way mirror as Riley lounged on the chaise with her glass of pink lemonade.
“You look like dandelion fluff,” Riley told me.
I was on the last dress when I heard a voice. “Darling, we have it.”
My heart sped. “We do?”
“Just to warn you, it might be too short to wear with heels,” he cautioned.
“We’re going to be outside, so I can wear flats.” I came out in a gown with a beaded bodice and lace skirt.
“Oh, that’s lovely, indeed,” Spencer told me.
I went back into the changing room, and I took that dress off, then stepped into the new one. It was fully lined and not itchy at all. The back was high enough that it mostly covered my scars.
“Perfect.” I looked down. Yep, not wearing heels with this. Whoever had originally ordered this must be even shorter than me. But it would be fine with flats.
“Let me see?” The manager asked.
I opened the door. The manager looked me over and straightened the skirt. “It’s very elegant and doesn’t overwhelm you. You still might want to have it tailored.”
I looked at myself in the mirror and sucked in a breath. “I love it.”
Me
Yes?
Verity
It’s perfect!
Indeed.
Verity
Tru and Hope think you look like a princess.
Me
I feel like a princess.
“How does it fit, Darling?” Spencer called.
“Incoming.” I came out and stood before him, feeling like the prettiest princess ever. “I say yes to the dress.”
For a moment he was speechless. “Oh, my good doctor. You’re a vision.”
“You look fan-fucking-tastic,” Riley breathed, taking a photo.
“Please?” I looked up into his eyes. It was probably expensive. Since it was the display could we get a discount?
“Yes.” His reply came out quick and breathless.
That look in his eyes made me want to take him into the dressing room. I adored that all five of the guys loved all of me–even the imperfect parts.
“I told you that it would fit her,” Riley said to the associate.
“You did. Would you like to see anything else today?” he offered.
“I think I’m good,” I told him.
“Yeah. So, Evan’s blowing up my phone because they want to start dinner even though he knows we’re over here doing important shit.” Riley rolled her eyes.
“Oh, yes.” Spencer checked his watch. “Let him know that we’re on the way.”
“So, you’ll take it?” the manager asked.
“We will.” Spencer looked at me. “How about if you take that off, we’ll get you your dress, then we’ll go home and see what Evan and Wes are making tonight?”
Grabbing his shirt, I pulled him down and kissed him.
“Thanks for making my princess dreams come true,” I whispered.
Spencer kissed me. “For you, my good doctor, anything. I will give you everything and anything at all.”