Chapter 22
April
April was glad for the break after her latest win.
Not that she was tired, that’s why she spent her life training as hard as she did.
No, she was glad because this week meant that she’d get to spend some quality time with Jade.
Plus, she’d managed to get her to agree to accompany April to choose her dress for Dani’s wedding.
She had mixed emotions about the whole thing though.
While she was excited to choose her dress, part of her wondered what Jade would look like dressed for a wedding.
What would they look like going as a couple?
Then the panic and worry set in. What if the people in the dress shop knew they were a couple?
What if word got out? She couldn’t handle that.
Not yet. Not right before the Grand Slam.
Not before she’d told her family. Not until she was ready.
Logically, April knew this was different. Louisa hadn’t even known her name. She was in the year ahead of April and barely acknowledged anyone else’s existence who wasn’t her boyfriend, Ollie Short.
This time was different. She was in relationship with the most kind and caring woman she’d ever met.
She felt supported and looked after by Jade.
She felt that she showed Jade the same in return.
It felt calm. For all April spiraled when left to her own devices, all it took was a single look or small touch from Jade, and April was centered again. She could breathe.
April was hoping Jade would have that exact effect on her as she stood outside the boutique off Main Street waiting for Jade’s arrival.
Head in a complete whirl. Her stomach wasn’t doing much better.
She was scrolling through her socials on her phone, trying to see if there was any news of the draw for the Grand Slam next week, when a shadow came across her screen.
Spiced cologne from their first date wafted in the air.
Without looking up, April knew exactly who was there.
“Would you mind standing on the other side? You’re blocking my phone,” she said with laughter.
“Well in that case,” Jade reached out and swiped April’s phone from her hand and swiftly deposited it into her jeans back pocket.
“Problem solved.” Jade grinned as April’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline at the brazen actions of her.
..girlfriend? No, partner. Standing there, as stunning as she’d ever seen her.
Fiery hair tied up in a messy bun, fitted slate grey shirt that showed off her incredible physique, fitted dark jeans with brown boots.
“Is that how you treat me? After my big win?” April folded her arms across her chest in a mock huff.
Jade leaned in close enough that even though no one else was around, only April would hear her, “I would have wrapped you up in my arms and kissed you hello...but that was the second-best method of getting your attention.” The smirk dancing on her lips as she spoke reassured April that Jade genuinely was ok with not getting to kiss April in public.
For now, at least. Instead, she reached into her back pocket and returned the phone to April.
Jade looked up at the boutique’s name above the door. “I’ve got to say, I’m really looking forward to seeing what you look like in a dress,” she smiled at April as she brought her eyes back down.
“I wear them loads, haven’t you checked out my socials?” April said, knowing that her feed was filled with her in various tennis dresses, and the occasional cocktail dress or evening gowns for award ceremonies or promotional events she had attended in recent years.
“I haven’t looked you up online at all. I have no interest in what the world wants to tell me about you; I want to learn all there is for myself. Straight from the source.” April’s stomach swooped. Could Jade really be any more perfect for her?
“Well then, I look forward to hearing your opinion,” with that, April threw Jade a wink over her shoulder as she pressed the buzzer to the right of the door and waited to be allowed access to the exclusive boutique.
The door clicked straight away as she was right on time for her appointment slot, leaving Jade no time to respond to her flirting.
Even though they were now officially together, the flirting hadn’t lessened any, and April was loving every second of it. She had years to make up for, and Jade was more than a willing participant.
The door closed behind Jade with a click, and they were welcomed by two women in black trousers, silk blouses, and impressive heels.
The older of the two wore a wide belt around her waist, and a rattle of bangles covered the first inch on her left wrist. Her hair was almost silver and quaffed perfectly as if she had just stepped out of the salon.
The younger of the two women had platinum blonde hair tied in a severe high ponytail.
She wore more subtle accessories and resembled the older so strongly that April had no doubt they had to be related.
“Welcome to our store, and congratulations on your recent win Miss Walker.” The older woman spoke with the importance of a CEO, but the warmth of a mother.
Not a combination she expected from the visual the woman was projecting to her customers.
“I’m Olive, this is my daughter, Holly, she will be helping me take care of all your needs today. ”
“It’s lovely to meet you both and thank you for your kind words.
I’m here to choose a dress for my best friend’s wedding next month.
I know it’s very last minute, but as you can imagine my schedule is pretty hectic at the moment.
I hope you don’t mind that I brought along some support with me,” April turned toward Jade briefly, not quite knowing how to introduce her partner to people who couldn’t know as much. Not yet.
Jade took a confident step forward and introduced herself to the women, shaking their hands, and somehow managing to make them both blush.
“Hi, I’m Jade, it’s lovely to meet you both, your store is incredible.
I’m looking forward to helping April in choosing a beautiful outfit from what I have no doubt is an impressive collection. ” Damn, she’s good.
“Oh, of course,” Holly said, not able to take her eyes off Jade. April couldn’t do anything but fight the smirk on her face. Sorry Holly, she’s mine.
“I’ve done a bit of research online and looked at the styles you have previously worn, looked at the colors and patterns you’ve chosen, and have selected a few options to begin with.
If you’d like to follow me through the back, we can begin the process to find the dress you’re looking for.
” Olive said, as she took a step to the side and invited April and Jade through a velvet curtain behind her.
The far side of the curtain was a room with a luxurious light grey sofa facing a floor-to-ceiling mirror.
A small platform stood before it, and two slimmer freestanding mirrors were placed at angles on either side of the platform.
A changing room was behind another velvet curtain to the left of the room, and a door to the right must have been where the dresses were stored.
“If you’d like to follow me, April, we’ll show you what we think would be the best to choose from,” Olive said, beckoning her toward the changing room.
April removed her bag and gave it to Jade, “Thanks for coming,” she said softly, “I’ll be out in the first one soon.” Jade took her bag, sat on the couch, and April could swear she could feel Jade’s eyes running up and down the back of her body as she disappeared into the changing room.