Chapter 43
Imade it to Columbia and feel giddy as I pull into the parking space at Liv and Talia’s place. I walk up to the familiar front door and knock.
It feels strange to be on this side of the door, knocking, waiting to be let in. I also don't know if I can or should just walk in. While I'm waiting, I send Sam a quick message letting him know I've arrived.
I made it to Columbia. Have fun with the guys.
I hope you have a great day. I can't wait to see what you choose.
You'll be waiting a long time cause I'm not showing you until the day of the event.
Rude!
I love you.
I love you, too.
I’m smiling at myself as Talia opens the door and pulls me into the house. “Why are you knocking?” she teases me.
“I didn’t want to walk in on you and Liv—well, you know.” I look awkwardly at anything but her. She laughs at my discomfort.
“We keep the door locked when those activities are taking place, Kat. You have nothing to worry about there.”
“What a relief! But I think I’ll continue to knock.” I give her a half smile and make my way into the kitchen. “Mind if I get a glass of water?” I call over my shoulder.
“Of course not. Get whatever you want. Liv is almost ready and should be out in a minute. Are you ok out here? I need to finish up some work.”
“You aren’t shopping with us?”
“No. I have this project I need to finish.”
“But it's Saturday! You can’t play hooky?”
“Wish I could. But I’ll meet you for dinner and drinks later.”
I huff out an overdramatic breath, “Fine. Be responsible.”
She laughs as she walks towards the bedrooms. I grab a glass of water and make my way back into the living room.
Everything looks just like I remember, except now there are obvious signs of Talia—a painting here, books there. I can’t hold back my smile at how seamless Liv and Talia seem to be.
“God! Finally, you’re here and ready to go! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?” I look over to see Liv walking down the hallway. She’s wearing dark skinny jeans and a cute top that hangs off one shoulder, exposing a tank top underneath.
“I’m so sorry you had to wait to start getting ready until I got here after my two-hour drive.” The sarcasm drips from my words.
“Get the fuck over here and give me a hug, bitch!” I do as she asks. We hug briefly before she steps back. “Now, let me see you.” She looks me up and down. “Yeah, Sam looks good on you.” She winks at me. “I guess he does have a big cock, considering you look completely satisfied.”
I gawk at her before my tongue catches up with my brain. “Oh my God. Can we not talk about Sam’s, um, cock?” I crinkle my eyes at her.
“Um, excuse me, but you owe me lots of details. Like every single one of them. How big? Is he thick? DETAILS!”
“Liv, you don’t even like cock… or men. Why do you want me to give you the details of Sam’s,” I swallow, “thickness?”
“Because I know you like men and especially like him. I need to know that he’s keeping you happy.” She gives me this innocent look and bats her eyelashes, her blue eyes twinkling. “I could tell you about my sex life if it makes you feel better.”
“I’m not giving you details. You’ll just have to live with the knowledge that I’m happy with Sam for as long as he’ll have me.”
Liv looks as if she’s exhausted by me already. Shrugging, she loops her arm in mine as we walk towards the door. “Bye, babe!” she shouts to Talia, who responds in kind as we walk out the door.
***
Liv drives us to a popular shopping area where she insists we’ll find “the perfect dress.”
We walk into the first place, and I’m skeptical when I see nothing but wedding dresses. “Liv, I’m not getting married. I need a dress for a black-tie event.”
She gives me a side eye. “For once in your life, just trust me. She keeps walking towards the back, and I cross my fingers that she knows what she’s doing.
We walk through a doorway that opens into a large room with various dresses in a variety of colors and styles.
It looks like prom threw up in here. Liv heads straight for the racks and starts grabbing various dresses.
“Liv, you know I only need a single dress, right?”
She gives me a sidelong glance, and I laugh at her reaction.
She rolls her eyes at me before responding, “You have to try out different styles to know what works best with your body. Once we have that down, then we can start looking at different colors and details. We did this for prom; why are you acting like you don’t know how to choose a nice dress? ”
“Maybe because prom was forever ago, and while you tried on a billion dresses, I saw one I liked and chose it. Then I spent the rest of our shopping day reading a book.”
She looks at me with disgust, and I’m laughing again.
“God, I missed you, Liv.”
She smiles at me, content. “I missed you, too. Now stop distracting me. We have work to do.” I groan internally. This is going to be a long day. I feel it in my bones.
Liv thrusts so many dresses into the arms of the dress shop employee that I only have a second to give the shell-shocked employee an apologetic smile before Liv rushes me into the dressing room.
I lose track of how many dresses I try on before I want to give up and wear a potato sack.
Sorry, Dad, Olivia couldn’t stop making me try on dresses, and I was about to end up in prison for murder.
He would understand, right?
I sit down in the dressing room, needing a break in between dresses, and message Sam, hoping he’ll save me from this obnoxious fashion show.
Send. Help. Can't. Try. On. Another. Dress.
LOL
You could have stayed here in bed, but you chose to leave me…
I take it back!
Beam me up, Scotty!
If only it were that easy!
How about you give me a sneak peek?
Good try.
Find anything you like?
Not yet,
The guys are glaring at me, so I'd better put my phone away. You've got this! I love you.
Wait, I thought you were sending help to rescue me?
He doesn’t respond, so I tuck my phone back into my purse and pull another dress off the hanger.
I don’t even look at it as I put it on. I’ve tried on so many dresses at this point that I feel like a robot. I shuffle my feet as I make my way out of the dressing room.
“Oh my God, Kat. Look at yourself!” She’s giddy as I step onto the platform in front of the mirrors that form a half circle so I can see myself from various angles.
I look into the mirrors and feel my heart jump. “Wow,” I gasp. “This is gorgeous.” My eyes move up and down the length of the dress as I move slightly to adjust the angles.
The cobalt-blue dress is floor-length. The neckline is straight and shows off just the right amount of cleavage while keeping the girls tucked in. The bodice is form-fitting but not so tight that I feel like I can’t breathe.
It features a high waistline, which then drapes out and brushes the floor. It drags a bit, so I’ll need to wear high heels. Sam will like that.
There’s a long slit on one side that extends up a little higher than mid-thigh, providing ample airflow in hot weather. I move a bit side to side, testing the slit to make sure I’m not going to embarrass myself by showing too much. It’s perfect because the dress overlaps a bit where the slit is.
I step off the platform and walk around the shop, watching the opening in the mirror. It definitely shows my leg in a very sexy way, but it's not so much that I worry about showing other parts.
“It’s perfect,” gushes Liv.
Stepping back up onto the platform, I can’t stop staring at myself. The color somehow makes my green eyes stand out more and gives my skin a tan and flawless appearance. I look at my chestnut hair. It's longer than it’s been in a long time and flows a little past my waist.
Pulling my hair over my shoulder, I admire the back of the dress, which is open, showing off my toned back. I bite my bottom lip as I contemplate what to do with my hair. I don’t want to cover the back of the dress.
“I think you should wear it in a sort of half-up, half-down style so it sweeps over your shoulder but leaves your back exposed.” Liv looks at me contemplatively. “Maybe an intricate braid so it stays in place.” I love that she just reads my mind.
“That sounds lovely, but you know I’m terrible at things like that. I’m lucky I know how to put my makeup on.” I give her a weary look.
“You should definitely have someone do your hair—and your makeup.” She says the last part like she doesn’t trust my abilities. That’s fair. I guess.
“I don’t know anyone I trust in Charleston.”
“I do. I’ll give her a heads-up and pass on her number to you. She’ll be perfect.” Liv’s tone is soft, and I detect a hint of awe as she continues to look at me. “I’ve missed you, Kat. I know we talk all the time, but it isn’t the same. I’m sad I won’t be there with you to see you all dolled up.”
I step off the platform and walk over to her, taking her hands in mine.
“I’ll send you so many pictures. I’ll even send you pics while my hair and makeup are getting done.
I’m going to send you so many that you’ll feel like you’re there with me.
Always know that even if I’m not with you physically, I’m always with you.
You’re my best friend. You should have thought about this much sooner, because there is no getting rid of me.
” I smile big. “Thank you for helping me today.”
“You mean thank you for dragging your ass here and making you find a dress that you look hot as hell in? You’re welcome.” She shimmies her shoulders a bit as she turns around. “Now we need to find some shoes.”
I look around the place again. There are no shoes in sight.
“Oh, not here.” Liv looks back at me as if I had spoken my thoughts aloud. “We have another stop to make.” I groan at the thought.