Chapter 8
A week later, Brooke perused the racks of wedding dresses.
One dress caught her eye. Little intricate beads covered the bodice then spread down the length of the full skirt.
She ran her finger over the beadwork. She wondered if she’d ever have a chance to wear something so beautiful.
Her heart ached. A deep loneliness settled inside her.
Her hand lingered far too long on the delicate pattern the beads made.
Would she ever find someone who loved her enough to marry her?
The thought vibrated around in her head as she traced each bead.
“Can I get you something to drink?” asked the voice from behind her.
Brooke flinched. Then she shoved the dress to the left and busied herself with examining the next dress on the rack.
“No. I’m fine,” she replied with a quick glance over her shoulder at the attendant.
“My friend should be out soon. She is trying on her wedding dress for her final fitting. I couldn’t help myself from browsing through the dresses here. Not that I’m in need of one.”
The wedding dress attendant came up next to her and flipped through a few of the hanging dresses. “These are the newest dresses in the shop.” She located the one Brooke had studied. “This one was a special order from a designer in Paris. You have very good taste.”
“Paris?” Brooke stepped back. Her skin itched. She knew she’d never have a need for a dress from Paris. She had been so foolish in looking at them in the first place. “Paris. I’d love to go someday,” she added for no particular reason.
Brooke hadn’t been anywhere. While many of her classmates in college enjoyed study-abroad financed by their parents, she could barely scrape together enough to save for a weekend in Florida with friends over spring break. Paris, who was she kidding?
“They don’t call it,” the attendant shuffled through the dresses and pulled one from the rack, “the city of love for nothing.” She held it in front of Brooke’s body. “I think the dress is perfect for you.”
“I’m not in the market to buy a wedding dress.” Brooke stiffened in place. Her neck tightened. “I don’t even have a boyfriend.” She stepped further from the dress until her back hit the hanging clothes.
“Have you ever heard of manifesting?” The attendant placed the dress back on the rack then rifled through a few more. Eventually, she removed another dress and held it up in front of Brooke’s body. “I’m a big believer in it.”
“I think you’re only trying to sell wedding dresses,” Brooke muttered.
The wedding dress attendant laughed. “I think you need to manifest getting married.” She tilted her head as she examined the dress she placed in front of Brooke’s body. “Visualize it in your mind, then boom, someday it’ll come true. Buy a dress today and trust me someday your prince will come.”
“How many women have you told this to?” Brooke sidestepped around the dress and moved back to the middle of the shop.
“Not many,” the attendant traipsed behind her with the dress still in her arms. “But it worked for them.”
“How would you know? You only sold them a dress. You don’t know if they actually are married now.” Brooke crossed her arms and peered in the direction Aubrey disappeared to earlier. She wanted her to make an appearance, fast. The sooner they left this land of sunshine and rainbows the better.
“The cost of wedding dresses will only continue to rise. Buy a dress today and lock in the price.”
This lady needed to learn to read the room.
Brooke put a finger under her collar and tugged.
“I’m not buying a dress, even if that is your hard sell.
It isn’t happening. I’m having to bring a fake boyfriend to my friend’s wedding, so I don’t have to feel like a complete loser in front of my ex-boyfriend and his new arm candy.
I’m miles away from purchasing anything.
I’ll take my chances with price fluctuation. ”
“Okay—” She awkwardly placed the dress back on the rack then straightened some of the dresses next to it. “Have it your way.”
Then to her great relief, Aubrey appeared in her wedding dress.
Brooke sidestepped around the wedding dress attendant.
“Aubrey!” She squeaked a tad too loud as her gaze roamed Aubrey’s form.
“You look incredible. I forgot how much that dress highlights your best features.” She walked the rest of the way to where Aubrey stood in front of a wall of mirrors, angled in every direction for a perfect view of the entire dress.
“Thanks.” Aubrey beamed as her hand ran down the front of her dress. “I love it as much as I remember, and luckily the adjustments they made are perfect.” She made an okay sign at herself in the mirror.
Brooke lowered herself into one of the white cushy armchairs in a semicircle facing the wall of mirrors. “Can you take the dress home today?” She dropped her purse by her feet. “Or do you have to come back?”
The wedding attendant from before appeared with a veil in her hands. “Here, let me place this on your hair.” She came up from behind and attached the veil into Aubrey’s hair.
“Ahh,” Brooke gushed. “You look gorgeous. Ian is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“You think so?” Aubrey twisted this way then the other, getting a full look at herself. “I do love this dress.”
“Absolutely, and I can see why.” Brooke watched as Aubrey admired her reflection in the mirror.
“If you’re happy with everything,” the attendant stepped up and removed the veil, “I’ll help you out of this dress. Then we’ll steam it before you take it home today, and you’ll be ready for your wedding day.”
“Only two more weeks until my big day.” Aubrey took hold of the large bottom half of her dress, lifting it up enough to walk. “It feels surreal.”
“It’ll be here in a snap.” The attendant motioned toward the dressing room. “Let’s get you out of this dress and on your way.”
Aubrey walked back to the dressing room with the attendant traipsing behind her.
Brooke leaned back in her cushy chair and waited. Her phone dinged, and she retrieved it from her purse. A message from Logan flashed across the screen.
What time should I swing by for the concert? I checked out the route there and we can take the L train.
Since meeting his parents, Logan hadn’t really touched base with her, not like before.
Their nightly text messaging and calls had stopped.
They had run into each other a few times at the hospital.
She guessed the ruse was up, and she reminded herself this would just be until the wedding.
Then Logan would drop from her life completely.
Brooke figured by now Logan might be reacquainted with Shelby.
Brooke smiled and typed.
Are you sure you are still up for it? I haven’t heard from you for a while, and I figured it was off.
It’s far from off. I want to go with you to the concert. I was looking forward to it, I’ve just been busy. Sorry
Busy with Shelby.
Ok
Okay, now when and where do I pick you up?
Great, swing by my place tomorrow at six we can catch the L Train and eat at a place by the concert. Sound good? Or I can text you your ticket and we can meet each other at the venue.
“Who are you texting?” Aubrey asked, appearing out of nowhere, back in her normal outfit.
She plopped herself down in the cushion chair next to Brooke.
“Oh—” Brooke flashed her gaze to Aubrey then back to her phone screen. She watched the cursor dots dance at the bottom of their text chain. “Logan.”
“Ahh.” Aubrey leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. “I’m glad things are going well for you guys. You deserve it, especially after Justin.” She peered out at the racks of gowns.
Brooke hadn’t clued Aubrey into Logan and her fake dating agreement. Fake dating Logan meant Aubrey didn’t worry about her anymore. She liked that part. And she also knew Aubrey had told Ian about it, who no doubt passed the information onto Justin. A fact she enjoyed a smidge too much.
“Thanks.” Brooke kept her gaze on her phone, watching the dots dance at the bottom of their text chain. “He’s been a fun distraction from Justin.”
Not a lie. And it’s just until the wedding, and you’ll never need to know about my little arrangement.
A message flashed across her screen.
No, dinner sounds good. I’ll swing by at six.
The dots at the bottom continued to dance. Another text shot through.
Another favor—
Oh dear, what do you need me to do now? Make out with you in front of Shelby to make her remember how great you were at kissing?
No nothing like that
Then what? Just ask
Instead of cashing in on my fake date for a night at Danielle and Michael’s house. Would you go on a triple date in the city with my parents and sister?
Brooke gnawed on her bottom lip. When she met Logan’s family she really didn’t think she’d ever see them again. This fake dating was beginning to feel a little too real, but she still needed a date to the wedding. Afterwards, they could part ways as friends.
She typed back.
I could probably grin and bear it. But that means you are paying for dinner before the concert.
A message appeared almost immediately.
Deal. You’re the best, Brookie.
Hey, no nicknames. We’re nowhere near the nickname level of friendship.
I beg to differ.
No nicknames!
We’ll see about that, my Brookie. See you at six.
She shoved her phone back into her purse. Then she peered over at Aubrey who grinned at her.
Aubrey winked. “Don’t you just love the beginning part of a relationship?”
“I don’t know.” Brooke shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Usually, the middle part is the best. By then the honeymoon stage has worn off, but you still aren’t sick of each other.”
The endings, she didn’t care for those either. They often were too sad and came too soon.
Playfully, Aubrey shoved her. “Hey, Ian and I are still in the honeymoon stage, and I’m marrying him in two weeks. I love it.”
“I know.” Brooke smiled. “But some of us don’t get to live in a fantasy world where we marry the man of our dreams.”