31. Willow
31
WILLOW
“I told you!” Rudy squeals, running his hand across a variety of wedding dresses. “Super hot, super rich secret boyfriend.”
“How was I supposed to know you were telling the truth?” Sophie exclaims as she pulls a dress to her chest and pouts. “This is thirty thousand dollars worth of the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Ashley, add that dress to the tab,” Vincent says as he wraps his arms around my waist, heat engulfing me along with the fluttering of my core as I inhale him, cedar and that distinctly masculine musky scent.
“Vincent-” I sigh.
“Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, princess.” He kisses my temple. “You know that.”
Sophie lets out a noise somewhere between a squeal and a gasp, her hands clenching the fabric of the dress like it might disappear at any second.
"Okay, I take back every time I ever called you dramatic," she breathes, staring up at Vincent with the kind of awe usually reserved for royalty. "Because holy shit , Willow."
Rudy grins, practically vibrating in place. "I told you," he sing-songs, clutching another dress to his chest. "Secret billionaire fiancé! You should see his house , Sophie. It’s obscene ."
Vincent chuckles, his grip on my waist tightening like he knows I’m two seconds from crawling under the nearest display rack. "He’s exaggerating."
Rudy turns to him, deadpan. "Am I?"
Before Vincent can answer, the door swings open, and Jasmine strides in, her long braids bouncing with each step. “Sorry, sorry, traffic was a bitch—” Jasmine pauses, eyes narrowed on Vincent, “What are you still doing here?”
“Don’t worry, I don’t want any bad luck.” Vincent kisses my temples as Jasmine points a finger to the door.
“Out, Beaumont!” Jasmine taps her foot impatiently when a girl enters the room behind her.
“Shit, honey,” she giggles, her southern drawl coating the room thick like honey. “You gonna poke my eyes out.”
“Never that, babycakes.” Jasmine purrs, her hand roaming over the girl’s waist.
I clear my throat looking expectantly between them two. Her eyes flicker down to my left hand and her face twists in fury.
“And where is your ring?” She snarls, eyes flickering to Vincent with pure rage in them. “You did not propose to my bestie without a fucking ring!”
“Woah, no and yes.” I say jumping between the two. “The first time he proposed there was a beautiful princess cut diamond adorned with pearls and the second time he was in therapy and there was a huge ring, I promise!”
“And where is it now?” Jasmine snarls.
“Being resized. His mother’s finger is smaller than mine.” I shrug, and Jasmine swoons.
“His mother’s ring?!” She squeals.
“His mother’s ring.” I confirm, nodding and she lets go of the girl next to her to do a happy dance.
The girl next to her clears her throat, a large smile on her face.
“Oh! Willow, this is my girlfriend Brooke.” Jasmine nods. “And Brookie, this is my best friend Willow.”
“Hey there, sugar.” Brooke smiles, pulling me in for a hug. She smells like cinnamon and sugar. I almost lick my lips at the delicious scent, but that’s not all; she is stunning—curves in all the right places, her deep red hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She looks like she belongs draped across a velvet chaise in some Renaissance painting, all soft lines and wicked smiles.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I nod, pulling back from her. “I heard you made this one settle down.”
“Oh yeah,” she nods. “I lassoed this pretty girl up.”
“Did I mention she’s also a cowgirl?” Jasmine giggles, nuzzling the curve of her neck. Brooke lets out a soft laugh, her voice rich and smooth like honey.
“Shut up,” Brooke giggles, rolling her eyes as blush creeps up her neck.
“Three time international horseback riding champion!” Jasmine teases, snaking her arms around Brooke’s waist. I smile because I don’t think I’ve ever seen my bestie this happy before in my life.
“No bragging, Jas! We’re here for wedding dress shopping!” Brooke chastises.
“Ugh, I love to see two women in love,” Rudy swoons. “I’m Rudy, the college bestie. Sophie is over there clutching the Vera Wang.”
“Hey, girl,” Sophie says mindlessly before squealing and pulling a laced slip dress into her chest.
Vincent chuckles. “Lindsey, put everything on my tab.”
“Oh, please,” Brooke walks up with a small smile on her face. “Allow me. It’ll be my wedding present to you.”
“There is no need.” Vincent waves a smirk on his face as he pulls out an Amex Black card.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Brooke pulls out hers as well. “You know they make multiples, right?”
A large smile spreads across my lips, as a small chuckle escapes. “Oh, I think I love this girl.”
“What did you say your last name was again?” Vincent queries moving an inch closer to her.
“I didn’t,” Brooke smiles, damn near blinding me with her pearly whites. “du Pont. Brooke du Pont.”
“Holy shit,” Rudy gasps. “As in ‘the founding family of New Orleans’ du Pont?”
“The one and only, baby,” she smiles, before turning back to Vincent with pursed lips. “Now can I buy my girlfriend’s best friend her wedding dress?”
“By all means, Miss du Pont. Please do.”
___________
“Babes, you look like a cupcake.” Rudy pouts, staring at the thirteenth wedding dress I have tried on covered in lace, puffy as all hell, and drowned in layers of satin while also allowing my shoulders to be exposed.
“Rudy!” Sophie exclaims, as she plucks him.
“He’s right, buttercup. This doesn’t work.” Brooke sighs, shaking her head. “Babe, why did you pick this one?”
“Willow said she wanted to be a princess.” Jasmine protests.
“Princess, not ‘puff ball,’” Rudy murmurs.
I sigh, lifting the heavy skirt with both hands as I turn to the mirror. It is a lot. I look less like a blushing bride and more like a runaway debutante drowning in layers of expensive regret.
“Alright,” I groan, plucking at the lace-covered bodice. “Next one.”
Brooke claps her hands together, all business. “Okay, we need something timeless . Classic, elegant, but with just enough drama to remind everyone who the fuck you are.”
“Oh, I am so obsessed with her ,” Rudy sighs dreamily.
Sophie leans over to Jasmine and whispers, “I’m a little scared of her.”
Jasmine nods solemnly. “As you should be.”
Brooke ignores them, scanning the racks like a general preparing for war. Then her eyes land on it .
A strapless silk gown with a structured corset bodice that melts into a sleek, flowing skirt. The fabric is smooth, almost liquid under the showroom lights, shimmering with every movement. There’s a delicate button-down back, a dramatic train—but no lace, no frills. It’s simple, but devastatingly gorgeous.
Brooke grabs it, turning to me with a gleam in her eyes. “Try this on. Now.”
I hesitate for half a second before Vincent’s voice cuts through the noise. “That’s the one.”
Everyone turns to look at him. He hasn’t moved from his seat, but his gaze is locked on the dress in Brooke’s hands. There’s a confident determination in his expression, something final . Like he already knows exactly what I’ll look like in it, and he’s already made up his mind.
“Vincent, go get a corn dog or something. Get out of here!” Jasmine snaps.
Vincent rolls his shoulders. “Wherever Willow is, I will be.”
“Babe,” I whisper and his eyes shoot to mine, burning like lava. “You can’t see my wedding dress. It’s bad luck.”
His lips twitch as he tries to stop a smile. “Bad luck? Babe, you’re mine regardless.”
“I know,” I blush.
“You better,” he rasps, gripping the armrest and standing up. “Ladies and Rudy, I will go figure out what a corn dog is.”
Brooke and Sophie giggle as Jasmine says, “You are going to love them, rich boy.”
He winks at me, and we watch as he walks out of the boutique, turning left to the food court.
I swallow, taking the hanger from Brooke and stepping back into the dressing room.
“It’s the one, I promise.” Brooke smiles, and I nod closing the door to the changing room, sighing the minute I run the new dress through my hands.
The moment I slip into the dress, I feel it. The fabric molds to my body, the silk cool against my heated skin. It hugs my curves, cinches my waist just enough to remind me I have one, then cascades down into that breathtaking train.
I turn slowly, my breath catching as I take myself in. Holy shit.
As I step out of the dressing room, the dress clinging to me like it was made for this very moment, I can’t help but smile at their reactions.
Rudy’s jaw drops. “Holy shit. You look like a goddess. ”
Sophie sniffles. “I—I think I’m gonna cry.”
Jasmine, always the cool one, just nods. “Same, babe. Same.”
Brooke is practically glowing with pride. “I knew it. You look like royalty.”
I laugh softly, feeling the weight of everything settle into place. The dress feels like it’s everything I’ve dreamed of for this day, and more.
As I adjust the train, my thoughts drift for a moment—toward the wedding, toward what comes next. I bite my lip, feeling the shift of my heart. Then I turn to them, my smile softening.
“Listen,” I begin, “there’s something I need to say.”
They all look at me, suddenly a bit more serious.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the wedding,” I continue, “and I know it’s kind of….rushed, but I want you all to be there. I want you all to come, no matter what.”
Brooke raises an eyebrow. “No bridesmaids?” she asks, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
I shake my head. “No bridesmaids,” I confirm. “But I’ve been thinking—if there were groomsmen, then you guys would be first on the list. I just want you to be there. I want all of you there. Because you’re my family.”
Rudy gasps dramatically, clutching his chest. “ Oh my god, you’re making me emotional!”
“Same,” Sophie says, wiping at her eyes. “That’s beautiful.”
Jasmine steps forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. “You know we wouldn’t miss it. But you better believe we’re gonna show up looking fierce. No way are we letting you have all the fun.”
I laugh, the knot in my chest loosening a little more with each passing second.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say softly.
Rudy sighs dreamily. “This is gonna be the best wedding ever. I can already feel it.”
“Hell yeah,” Jasmine agrees, her eyes twinkling. “Best wedding, best dress, best people.”
I glance at them all—my best friends, my support system—and feel my heart swell. No matter what happens, I know that this day will be filled with love, and I can’t wait to share it with all of them.
“Okay, okay, enough of the emotional stuff,” Rudy says, wiping away a dramatic tear. “Let’s go get some mimosas and celebrate, huh?”
“Best idea you’ve had all day,” I agree, still smiling.