Two Weeks Later #2
There was some definite tension between the two of them, and I wanted to smack my brother upside the head for being so weird and obvious. The girls responded with a resounding yes, and that satisfied my brother.
Thankfully, Marcel announced he was taking Declan to school, and the rest of the guys rose to leave. Ivan gave Kinsley some extra hugs, leaving me and Tori by ourselves for a moment.
“Well, that was interesting,” Victoria said. “Is that really what he said?”
“Of course. Pasha isn’t a liar,” I lied.
“Uh, huh. Then why did your eyes go so wide and dilate?”
“Hush,” I exclaimed before asking. “So Geraldine’s. You really think she’ll have something for me?”
“You know she will,” Kinsley said, sliding back into her chair next to me. “Tell me true, Isabella. Do you have the hots for my Pasha?”
I choked on my water to the point where Ivan popped his head back into the dining room to check on me. I waved him away and blotted my eyes with my napkin. Kinsley’s question hung in the air.
“I like him as much as a person likes to get a root canal.”
“Is that with or without Novocain?”
“With, of course, he’s tolerable.”
She studied me for a second and then, thankfully, let the topic drop.
Not an hour later, we were arriving at Geraldine’s. Tori, knowing that I was going to be nervous trying on dresses, was thoughtful enough to book a two-hour time slot so that it was only the three of us with Geraldine.
Marcus dropped us off and went to run a few errands. We stepped inside. The soft chime of the bell had Geraldine’s head whipping up. Her face lit up. She was striking, and confidence radiated from her.
If I could have an ounce of that, I’d be golden. Instead, all I had was sarcasm. I sighed and looked around. The interior was bathed in warm lighting, and the dresses looked—exquisite—fancy, and not me.
“Welcome, ladies,” Geraldine greeted us. “It’s good to see you again, Isabella.”
While I’d been in before, this was my first time being a shopper. She towered over all of us in her death-defying heels. I couldn’t help but smile and remind myself to just enjoy the experience.
“I understand we’re looking for something for a beach wedding.” Geraldine turned to me.
I nodded in response, unable to say a word. Dress shopping was as much uncharted territory as my upcoming waxing appointment. This whole realm of femininity and elegance wasn’t something I’d ventured into. Ever.
A typical shopping experience for me was ordering clothes online. It was easier to stick with brands I knew and loved. If I found something, I ordered multiple pieces. So this was going to be extremely new for me.
And I didn’t really own things that could be described as delicate, like the fabrics surrounding me. Okay, I take that back. I did own a shit-ton of elegant undergarments. But those, too, were easily ordered online.
“I love beach weddings,” Geraldine exclaimed, her eyes lit up with excitement. “I say this calls for something light and airy, don’t you think? Let me show you some options.”
I forced a smile, masking my nervousness. The thought of trying on dresses, even for the girls, left my pulse racing. My hands trembled at my sides. The sensation of the fabric clinging to my skin made me gulp.
And truthfully, the last time I wore a dress, it hadn’t been my choice. It had been the one the Mask picked. The memory pushed forward. I wanted to run, and something in my body language must have spoken loudly, because Kinsley pushed forward, leaving Tori to follow.
She reached for me and pulled me into her arms. One thing about her was that she was stronger than she looked, and right then she was gripping me tight.
Over the years, my lack of desire to have a connection of any real kind made touch something I was still getting used to, but somehow she knew.
Her small hands delicately rubbed my back, soothing me.
“Hey, that look. I don’t like it. If you don’t want to buy a dress, we can look at something else. A chiffon jumpsuit would look gorgeous on you. A halter-style, maybe?”
“Yeah, maybe I can try both?” I whispered.
Did we look strange? Probably. Did I care?
I suppose a small part of me did. After all, this woman worked closely with my brother and the crew to dress their staff for special occasions and referred important clients to her all the time.
She didn’t seem phased one bit, and that had me relaxing more.
“Would you happen to have any champagne?” Tori asked.
“I do. How many glasses?” Geraldine asked.
“Three,” I answered, smiling at them.
She stepped away, and Kinsley led me over to the secluded area with full-length mirrors and plush seating. A few minutes later, Geraldine brought us our drinks, and then she and Kinsley went to gather some things for me to try on.
“Kinsley’s right. A jumpsuit would look great on you,” Victoria said.
“Thank you. I think I’ll try it on first, to ease the way. It’s been a really long time since I’ve worn a dress. Like rescue long time.”
“Oh,” she said, worrying her bottom lip between her top teeth.
I patted her hand and heaved. “It’s going to be okay. This is part of the process. Marcel will be proud that I didn’t bolt at the first sight of things.”
“It was kind of hard. Kinsley looked like she had a death grip on you.” She laughed.
The next hour passed surprisingly well. After trying on a few one-piece outfits, I turned to the dresses the girls had found.
I was specific in my request. Nothing with flowers.
It had to be solid and lightweight. Geraldine stood back and only offered expert guidance a few times, suggesting accessories to enhance the outfits.
“This one will look stunning against your dark coloring,” Tori offered, holding up a delicate chiffon cocktail dress.
My eyes lit up. It was both elegant and sophisticated without being too girly. The deep rose-blush hue was darker than pink, but softer than red. I took it from her and went into the dressing room. I could hear the excited chatter of the girls as they indulged in another glass of champagne.
I took a deep breath and removed the other outfit I was wearing. I stepped into the dress and brought it up over my shoulders. I zipped it up in the back and heard my phone buzz.
DANCER:
How’s the wax going?
PRINCESS:
Still resembles a hairy beast. I’ll have to get back to you on that. Dress shopping first.
DANCER:
LOL. I’m glad to hear.
PRINCESS:
What, that I’m honestly thinking about wearing a dress or…or are you glad that
I paused in my typing and, in the process of rethinking my response, went to hit backspace and accidentally hit send. I squealed.
“That good?” Kinsley called from the couch.
“Yeah, this one isn’t bad at all. Tori, you have an excellent eye,” I said, saving myself from having to explain my response. Let them think it was the dress, for all I cared. My phone notification pinged.
DANCER:
Or what? That you’ll soon be as smooth as silk.
PRINCESS:
You’ll never feel it.
DANCER:
Didn’t ask to, but the reminder is cute. Much cuter than Sebastian’s. He is on one today. I think we need some squad business to take the edge off. But you seem to be feeling bold today. Send me a picture.
PRINCESS:
You want me to send you a picture of me in the dress?
DANCER:
Is the other an option?
I coughed loudly, feeling my cheeks burn.
PRINCESS:
Yeah, could you imagine how you’d explain that one to my brother? I’m pretty sure you are partial to breathing unless something has changed. I’ve gotta go. No picture.
DANCER:
Killjoy.
PRINCESS:
Aw I thought I was the ball-buster.
DANCER:
Oh, you are, Princess, you are. Have fun. Text me after.
“You need some help in there?” Kinsley asked.
I tossed my phone down. “Nope, just fixing the front. This one may be a little low-cut, but everything else is well…”
I stepped out to show them. Their eyes widened in awe, a mix of delight and admiration.
“Oh my goodness, this is the one. Right? Tori, this is the one,” Kinsley exclaimed, rising from the couch and advancing. She stood on her tiptoes. “Imagine her hair up, like this,” she went on, pulling my hair back and holding it away from my face.
“It’s perfect,” Victoria breathed, her eyes twinkling with pride and filling with tears. “You’re radiant in that dress. If you don’t get it, I’ll…I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” I laughed.
“I’ll cry.”
“That’s her job.” I inclined my head towards Kinsley.
“Hey, I don’t cry all the time. I’m not crying right this moment. Now you twirl.” She moved back to the couch. “With the right heels, the right makeup. Stunning,” she murmured excitedly.
Twirling for them, I felt silly, but Marcel’s advice to embrace the experience rang in my ears, so I did. The asymmetrical hemline fluttered around me, caressing my skin, tickling it almost. The chiffon fabric billowed and swayed, making me feel like the carefree girl I once was.
I came to a stop and caught sight of myself in the mirror. The dress had an A-line silhouette that draped gracefully over my frame, skimming my curves and showing my figure off. The V-neck was somewhat plunging, but the sun-kissed color of my skin added a touch of intrigue.
A sash cinched the dress in at the waist, accentuating my hourglass figure. I loved the way the light caught the shimmering metallic hues in it.
“You think this will work?” I asked, turning to the two most important people in my life.
A resounding yes echoed along with Geraldine’s. I twisted once more, checking out the angles, and declared it “the one”. And now, with the perfect dress in hand, we bid farewell to Geraldine and the boutique. The only thing left was to say goodbye to the hairy beast and hello to—silk.