27. 80s Dress Montage
CHAPTER 27
80S DRESS MONTAGE
T he packages of potential dresses piled up in Addison’s entryway. She had gone on an online shopping spree to find options for Laura and Jake’s wedding. Laura had insisted on something that would stand out, so Addison took her at her word and ordered tastefully sexy but tasteful options in bright colors that flattered her.
Lexi had made Addison promise not to try anything on without her. That hadn’t been difficult, though —Addison was too scared to think about the wedding or her speech. That’s silly. She’d never been afraid of a speech before. Whether in court, at a meeting, or even a debate tournament, she was always cool and collected. But this is different. No speech has ever mattered as much as this one.
Addison reluctantly unboxed her purchases and hung them up in preparation for Lexi’s arrival. She’d be there any minute, ready and raring to go.
She put on the appropriate undergarments for the dresses to save time. Normally, she’d be excited by the rainbow of new clothes waiting to be tried on, but the fear of being all dressed up and disappointed dampened the fun.
When Lexi arrived, Addison had calmed herself enough to make it a fun evening.
Lexi sprawled across Addison’s bed, rolling onto her stomach with her chin propped in in her hands, her feet kicking behind her. She looked like a little girl ready to play .
“Show me the pretty stuff,” Lexi exclaimed.
“Okay, get ready for an 80s-style dress montage.”
Addison pulled the first dress off the hanger and slipped into the red, stretchy material. It clung to her in a much more revealing way than it had on the model online.
“I look like a hooker,” she said, flatly.
“But a high class one,” Lexi added with a grin.
“Not the message I want to send.” Addison stripped out of the dress and moved on to a black-and-white striped one with a flared A-line skirt.
Hmm. Something’s off about this one.
“You look like the Hamburglar at a formal event,” Lexi remarked.
There it is.
“On to the next one,” Addison said, zipping up a Kelly-green halter dress and twirling. “I like this one.”
“You look like a shamrock.”
“What? I do not.” Addison looked at herself in the mirror. I don’t look like shamrock in it.
“Fine, not a shamrock. A booger,” Lexi said, laughing.
Addison snatched a bra from her drying rack and whipped it at her. “I—” whack “Look—” whack “Spectacular!” whack.
Lexi gasped for breath through her laughter. “Let’s put it in the maybe pile.”
“Fine. We only have one more, so I might have to be a shamrock booger after all.”
“I’m crossing my fingers and toes for this one,” Lexi said, wiggling them for emphasis.
The last dress was a cobalt blue satin slip. It was the wild card Addison was already worried she couldn’t pull off the retro 90s look. Please fit and look good.
“Oh my God,” Lexi whispered as Addison stepped out of the closet. “You look incredible in that, Addie. Let’s accessorize.”
Addison’s heart fluttered when she saw her reflection. The satin shimmered over her body like water. The color made her blue eyes pop and contrasted beautifully with her hair.
Lexi rummaged through Addison’s jewelry box and handed her a silver chain with a pearl pendant that rested perfectly in the hollow of her throat. She addeda thin silver bangle and matching pearl studs .
“Perfection,” Lexi declared. “Let me send Laura and Amy a pic.”
Addison posed for the photo with a big smile. Looking the part is half the battle. I can do this.
“They love it,” Lexi said, showing her the group text.
“What about hair and makeup?” Addison asked.
“Let the dress be the star. I think you should keep your normal makeup and wear your hair down.”
“Then it’s settled. Thank you for helping with all this. I know it’s weird, considering?—.”
“Addie, let it go. I don’t have any lingering feelings for Tim,” Lexi cut her off. “Now, let’s talk about my dress. Weddings always have single guys to impress.”