Chapter 29 FRANCESCA
twenty-two
FRANCESCA
After I left Jackson this morning, I met the girls and my mom at the bridal shop for our last fitting and to pick up our dresses.
“Come on out, let’s see!” Britt yells excitedly.
“But it will ruin the surprise!”
“No way, we need a preview. I need to not be bawling like a baby in front of the entire town tomorrow.”
“So dramatic, B.” I chuckle as I step out from behind the curtain of the dressing room.
“Oh. My. God.” They gasp. My dress is a fitted mermaid, strapless with a sweetheart neckline.
The front is elegant and simple. But the back has two ties that criss cross and leave gaps of my skin showing in between.
Jackson loves to have his hands on me, and I knew a big heavy wedding dress was not going to cut it for him.
This shows my shape and leaves room for touch.
The girls are sniffling, and my mom is outright crying.
I choke back tears, too, fanning my face. “Guys! Stop! Crying will make our eyes puffy for tomorrow!”
The attendant comes in carrying glasses of white wine. “She’s right. Let’s all drink instead!” We laugh and it helps to ease the emotion in the room.
Once we each grab a glass from the tray, the attendant places it down, then comes to me, pulling and poking the last few spots on the bottom of my gown, making sure the length is correct.
“Bets on Jackson crying tomorrow? Who’s taking what odds?” Britt announces.
“I’m going to be a coach’s wife; I’m not allowed to make bets.” I giggle as I sip more wine.
“Whatever. I’m not betting money anyway.” She quirks a brow.
“Oh god, what did you make Bobby bet you?”
“A good girl never tells, Chessy.”
I look around the room in an exaggerated movement. “I don’t see any good girls here!”
“Bobby tells me I’m a good girl all the time.” She has an evil glimmer in her eye.
We all crack up and my mom groans. “Britt, please! I’ve known Bobby a long time, you’re going to make me blush the next time I see him.”
She giggles. “Mrs. Casanova, you have a boatload of kids, I know you know what I’m talking about.”
“Britt! That’s my mom!”
We’re all getting giggly now, sipping on the wine and having fun.
She shrugs. “I’ve seen pics, Mr. Casanova was a stud. I don’t blame you one bit, Mrs. C.” She nudges my mom.
“Frank is still a stud,” she winks and nudges her back.
“Oh God, Mommm!”
“Francesca, I’d have to be blind to not see how Jackson looks at you, he watches you like he’s hungry all the time.” My eyes widen.
“What in the world…” I drift off.
CJ doubles over. “Mrs. C! You’ve been reading my sisters books again, haven’t you?”
“Nothing wrong with a little spice!” My mom wiggles her shoulders.
“I bet I could write a few of those scenes for her.” Britt says.
CJ laughs, “I’m sure she gets her inspiration from your conversations alone, B.” They toast each other. “And that brother of yours, Chess.”
“I’m sure everyone in town has a Billy story she could write about.” My mom whines.
“Well, this spiraled quickly!”
“You did save something special to wear for tomorrow night, right, girl?” Farrah questions me.
The attendant taps my leg, letting me know she’s all done so I step from the platform and flop down next to Farrah on the couch. “I did.” I say slowly.
“And? Come on, give me something! We’ve already seen the goods at the photo shoot!”
Laughing, “Its white and lacey, is all you need to know.”
“Did you give him the photos yet?” CJ asks.
“Yes, actually, this morning,” I grin. “I wanted to send him off with something to think about before he sees me again walking down the aisle. “
“Oh, you’re bad. And now I understand the smug smile on your face all day.” CJ states as she nudges Britt.
“And his.” Britt replies with a snicker.
I shrug. “He liked them. Twice.”
We laugh together and finish the bottles of wine. Pack up our dresses and head back to my house for a night of pampering and prepping for tomorrow.
This day was perfect, the relaxing, fun day I needed to remind me just what tomorrow is really about.