Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
kate
Why didn’t I say yes to Chelsi when she offered to come with me?
I was foolish to assume I could pick out a gown for the movie premiere.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I have absolutely no idea whether I like this one better than the previous two I’ve tried on.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Jake’s stylist never wants to work with me after this hellacious experience.
“What do you think of this dress?” Addison asks, appraising the silhouette of the garment and likely calculating potential alterations.
“It’s fine,” I reply, fidgeting with my hands in front of me. “The dress is pretty.”
Way to go, Kate. That’s really helpful.
This is exactly why I need Chelsi. She’s always able to assess clothes for me and somehow can figure out how to articulate what I like or don’t like about them better than I can.
Fuck it.
“Do you mind if I FaceTime my best friend?”
“If you mean Chelsi, absolutely not. That girl is a hoot. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone who isn’t actually attending the event send me so many emails or texts.”
I chuckle, covering my mouth with my hand, remembering how I warned Jake about what would happen if he gave Addison’s contact details to Chelsi. “That sounds like her. She has a love for fashion.”
“And a very good eye. I’m surprised she hasn’t pursued a career in it. I’d hire her on the spot if she ever wanted to move to Nashville or LA.” Addison heads over to the clothing rack to select the next option.
I reach for my phone on the end table in the hotel suite and FaceTime Chelsi.
“Oh my God. Is that the green dress Addison sent me pics of? It looks gorgeous!” Chelsi exclaims as soon as the video call connects. “Turn around and let me see the back.”
“Hello to you, too,” I reply, angling the phone so she can see the reflection in the floor-length mirror.
“Do you love it?”
“I don’t know. It’s fine.”
“Ugh. I shouldn’t have listened to you and come anyway.
I knew this was going to happen. You’re getting in your head about walking the red carpet with Jake and freaking out.
It’s preventing you from enjoying the moment.
You’re wearing freaking designer gowns. Do you know what I’d do to be in your shoes? ”
I shake my head and laugh. “You know fashion isn’t my thing. I feel so out of my element.”
“That’s why you have a stylist and me.” Chelsi points at herself and grins widely. “We’re all you need to find the perfect dress, jewelry, and shoes. Place your trust in us, and we’ll make sure Jake can’t keep his hands off you.” Chelsi smirks and arches her eyebrows.
Addison giggles and adds, “Not sure it matters what Kate wears. From what I’ve seen, he can’t keep his hands off her now.” Addison walks the short distance over to me and waves at the screen. “It’s nice to see you, Chelsi. Next time, you need to come and help us in person.”
“I plan on it,” Chelsi replies, squinting into the camera like she’s trying to make out which dresses are on the rack behind me. “Has she tried on the cream floral Valentino gown yet?”
Addison shakes her head. “That was the next one up. I’m not sure how Kate will like it. She made an interesting face when she saw it on the hanger.”
“I did not.” I hold the phone in one hand and place the other on my hip. “I was merely admiring all the dresses and was slightly overwhelmed by the drastically different styles. This is well outside my comfort zone.”
“That’s why we’re here. Technically, that’s why Addison is with you in LA, and I’m on the phone for moral support. Why don’t you give Addison the phone and try on the cream dress? I have a feeling it might be the one.” A glint of mischief sparkles in Chelsi’s eyes.
After I hand Addison my phone, she unzips my current dress, and I head into the bathroom to change while she continues talking to Chelsi.
The two of them have quickly become friends, but who doesn’t adore Chelsi when they meet her?
She has one of those personalities that draws you in and makes you want to get to know her more.
It’s one of the reasons why it’s so frustrating that she’s struggled in the romance department for so long.
She should have men lining up and down the block trying to woo her, not the caravan of misfit red flags that follows her everywhere—almost like there is some type of red-flag homing beacon attached to her.
After I shimmy the floral beaded dress up my body, I take a few seconds to admire the gown in the bathroom mirror. Although it’s not what I would’ve picked out for myself, there is definitely something special about it. It’s elegant and whimsical at the same time.
When I walk into the room, Addison gasps and quickly switches the camera for Chelsi to see me.
“Holy shit! I told you that was the one,” Chelsi shouts from the speakerphone. “Let Addison zip you up and put on the sheer capelet. I need to see the full picture.”
Addison hands me the phone, and I flip the camera so I can talk to Chelsi while Addison gathers the various accessories she has in mind for the dress.
“Do you really think this is what I should wear?” I ask nervously, chewing on the corner of my lip. “The dress is gorgeous, but I want to make sure I pick out the right one. I want Jake to be proud to have me on his arm.”
I don’t doubt Jake’s love for me one bit or his desire to have me walk the red carpet with him, because he’s been very vocal about both.
It’s the press and social media I worry about and their reactions to how I look by his side.
While some fans support me and our relationship, the loudest voices are the ones who don’t.
The ones who criticize everything I say, do, and wear, as if I’ve chosen to be a celebrity when I’ve merely fallen in love with someone who has a public life.
The last thing I want on a night when we should be celebrating Jake’s accomplishment is to become a distraction.
To end up on some worst-dressed list or as a meme on social media.
Or get further ridiculed in the comments for thinking I deserve to be with Jake.
“Let’s be real, you could wear a paper bag, and Jake would be proud to have you on his arm.
I’d be appalled by your fashion choices, but he wouldn’t care.
That man loves you for who you are. What you wear doesn’t matter to him.
He only wants you to feel comfortable in whatever you choose and to be by his side.
” Chelsi tucks a loose piece of hair behind her ear.
“Think of the red carpet as your chance to play princess for the night.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t my thing growing up.”
Chelsi shakes her head. “Fine. We won’t pretend you’re Cinderella going to the ball. How about you think of it as practice for your wedding? Because this gown is definitely giving bridal vibes, and all eyes will be on you.”
I glance at the gown, then at my reflection in the mirror.
Chelsi’s right. It has a slight bridal flair to it, not enough to be classified as a wedding dress by any means, but it wouldn’t surprise me if brides chose it as an after-party dress.
“I should wear something different. I don’t want to create the impression—”
“Stop right there. Wearing this dress won’t put any ideas into Jake’s head that haven’t been there for months. I swear, that man has been ready to wife you up since he first kissed you,” Chelsi replies.
“I second that,” Addison says as she slowly zips up the gown. “Plus, Chelsi’s right about this dress. It’s almost like it was made for you. There are barely any alterations we’ll have to make to it.”
Addison takes the phone from me for a minute and helps me put on the capelet that covers the thin beaded straps.
The shoulder cover is sheer with intricate beading at the hems and sprinkled throughout it.
Somehow, it brings the entire look together.
Addison continues talking to Chelsi as she places a pair of shimmery heels in front of me that I step into.
I stare at my reflection as she clasps a diamond necklace around my neck and hands me diamond dangly earrings.
I tune out the conversation between her and Chelsi as I fiddle with the tiered ruffles on the skirt, trying to picture how everything will look once my hair and makeup are done.
“I definitely think her hair should be in some type of updo to show off her neck and to accentuate the capelet,” Chelsi offers as Addison walks around me with the phone, giving her a full three-sixty of the look.
“I agree,” Addison adds. “I’ll send the makeup artist and hairstylist a few ideas since they aren’t doing a run-through beforehand.”
For a moment, I wonder whether Addison and Chelsi have forgotten I’m here because they’re carrying on like they’re lost in their own little fashion world.
Chelsi’s excitement makes me wonder why she hasn’t tried something fashion adjacent in her career.
She’d be so great at it, and it’s clear it fills her soul in a way I know accounting never did. PR doesn’t seem to, either.
“Are the two of you done talking about me yet?”
Chelsi and Addison chuckle in unison.
“It’s not our fault. I never get to talk about this stuff, so I’m milking every opportunity I get with Addison,” Chelsi replies.
Although I can’t see Chelsi’s face since Addison is holding the phone, I imagine she has a dreamlike expression, almost like a kid in a candy store.
“I know there are a ton of other gowns for you to try on, but I really think this is the one, Kate.”
Addison nods in agreement. “It’s completely your decision. We can keep trying more on until you’re sure.”
I close my eyes for a minute, picturing myself on Jake’s arm after we step out of the limo onto the red carpet as the cameras flash.
His hand is on my lower back as we walk step-by-step together.
That’s when I know for certain that this dress is “the one.” A wide grin grows across my face as I open my eyes and stare at my reflection one more time.
“This is it.” I turn to look at Addison.
“Hell, yes! My best friend is going to look so fucking hot!” Chelsi exclaims from the phone, so loud I’m sure the neighbors heard her. “I cannot wait to see the pictures on the internet.”
I’m glad someone’s excited about the prospect of seeing me on the red carpet because my stomach is already a ball of nerves, and we’re still two days away from the movie premiere.