Chapter 23
Jade
Jade sat on the couch and listened to the women discuss dress colors, styles, lengths, cuts, and she could feel herself slowly zone out with each passing word.
She had never been anything close to what might be described as girly.
She hated when her mom would buy her skirts or dresses growing up.
Worse if Cleo had one to match. Sure, her style had evolved over the years, but she’d always been drawn to slightly more masculine clothing.
Then later, she fully settled into her androgynous style.
It worked for her. It suited her personality. No, it wasn’t because she was a tomboy growing up either. She just never felt comfortable in overly feminine clothes. She was fine with colors and patterns, just not the clothes.
Olive came out of the changing room first and headed through the back. Most likely to pull a few other dress options once April had run her eye over those that had been waiting for her. Holly must have been helping April get into the first dress of the day.
A few minutes later, Holly came out first, holding the velvet curtain back to let April come out and stand on the platform. Jade’s eyes nearly left her head for a split second before she regained control of her features enough to not make April panic at being outed.
April stood before her in a floor length, Greek Goddess style strapless dress in a deep burgundy color. She had pulled her hair up; it had been down when they arrived. She looked stunning.
“I don’t know, I think it’s too long,” April said, turning this way and that in front of the mirror. The long material rippled and spun around April’s body, mesmerizing Jade with its fluid movement. “Maybe too dark a color? I’m not sure. Jade?”
Jade met April’s eyes. She must know she’s incredible in anything she tries on, right?
“It looks great on you, but I think you’re right. I don’t know if it’s what you’re looking for, for this particular wedding.” Jade relaxed, relieved at having successfully managed not to drool at the sight of her partner looking like the literal image of Aphrodite!
“That’s no problem at all,” Holly said, looking at Jade instead of April...her customer. “I'm sure we'll find the right one soon.”
Jade smirked at April in the mirror as she saw her roll her eyes. Could April tell that Holly was making eyes at Jade? She must; the girl hadn’t exactly been subtle since their arrival.
Olive returned from the back of the boutique and brought a small rail of dresses into the changing room. After a couple of minutes, Olive exited again, taking other dresses out. Including the burgundy dress April must have barely had time to remove.
Over the course of the next half hour, April tried on numerous dresses.
Each one was as lovely as the last, but none quite fitted the bill.
The length was off, the neckline wasn’t suitable, the color didn’t quite work with her skin, or her hair, the lack of straps made her self-conscious of her muscular shoulders.
April was getting increasingly deflated by the minute.
Jade couldn’t take that look in her eyes any longer.
As April stood in a calf length fitted dusky pink dress, Jade finally spoke up.
“Ladies,” Jade addressed Olive and Holly with a warm smile, “could we possibly have a quick minute?”
“Of course,” Olive said, motioning for Holly to follow her through the back to give Jade and April the time they’d requested. April walked over to the couch and carefully sat down while being mindful of the dress she was trying on.
After ensuring the door had clicked shut, but still talking softly enough so as not to be heard through it, Jade turned on the couch to face April and reached for her hands. She took a breath and began, “talk to me.”
“I don’t know, I just don’t feel like any of these are right. It’s Dani’s wedding, you know? It has to be perfect.” April worried at her bottom lip.
“What else?” Jade asked, getting the impression that the dress wasn’t really the problem here.
April let out a sigh, “I keep thinking about you not being there with me. And I know that’s on me, I do. But. That’s where my head is right now and I can’t seem to get over it.”
Jade melted a little at the admission. “I know this is a big deal for you, and with it being your best friend’s wedding you want to find the perfect dress.
I also know that no matter which you choose, if I was there, you’d be the only one I’d be looking at for the entire day.
Regardless of you not being the bride. So, I’m sure Dani would be glad I’m not there, so she remains the center of everyone’s attention for the day.
” Jade saw April’s lips twitch and the tension in her shoulders give a little.
“She is looking forward to her diva moment, not that she needs an excuse,” April said with a small laugh before looking at Jade.
“I know it’s not just our situation that means you’re not going to be there.
We didn’t find each other again before the seating chart was completed – I should know, I helped make it – but I just want you to know that I do wish you were going to be by my side that day as my partner. ” April smiled nervously at Jade.
“Partner, huh?” She said softly, causing a blush to rise up April’s neck and settled on her cheeks.
“Well, yeah, I mean, girlfriend just doesn’t feel right, does it?” April asked in a whisper; uncertainty laced in her words.
“Babe, I don’t care what label works for us as long as I’m yours, and you’re mine. But that’s probably the safest for you so not to trip yourself up and come out by accident.” Jade winked.
“Ohmigod, new fear unlocked! Ok, yeah, that makes even more sense now. That’s why I’d also love you there so that you could save me from myself if that did happen.” April squeezed Jade’s hands in hers and lowered her eyes slightly.
“Well, if I help you pick the dress, then maybe I’ll be there with you because of that, even just a little bit.” Jade said. “Now, how about we call them back in and you try the color you haven’t yet, but you absolutely should”.
April furrowed her brow in confusion, “which is?”
“A different shade, of course, but you have to try the same color as your eyes. You know how much I love those.” Jade winked and let go of April’s hands after giving them a quick squeeze.
Ten minutes later, the velvet curtain pulled back, and April made her way onto the platform. Jade’s heart stopped.
April stood in a petrol blue dress. It was made of satin which resembled water.
The wide straps dropped to cap sleeves covering the tops of her shoulders.
The floor-length was perfect to make her look a little taller, and the backless dress showed off some of those well-earned muscles that came from years of playing tennis.
Before April even had to ask, she caught Jade’s eyes in the mirror, fire burning between them.
“This is the one,” April announced with a smile lighting up her face, eyes locked with Jade’s. “I’ll take the matching shoes as well.” Their eyes didn’t part until April was making her way back to the changing room.