Her eyes flash with the same emotion as the first time I told her I was dating—surprise? Disappointment?Jealousy?Not jealousy, I tell my heart. Stop getting your hopes up. Move on with your life.
And then she recovers. “Nice. That should be fun. I’m going wedding dress shopping with my mom.”
It almost feels like she’s trying to one-up me.Well, don’t worry, Claire. You’ve already dug the knife in by wearing that rock on your finger. “That should be fun, too.”
She nods, the awkwardness settling deep over both of us. “All right. Well. Have a good weekend.”
“Yep. You, too.” I open my car door and let myself in. I watch her walk away in my rearview mirror and tell myself this is what we need. This is good for me. I’m fine. I’m moving on.
CHAPTER 19
Claire
I’min a sea of white.
This shop is every little girl’s dream. Row upon row of lace, satin, tulle, taffeta, beads, and pearls in various shades of white. I feel like I’m in heaven.
Mom and I came to the store on Friday evening, just the two of us. I didn’t want the pressure of anyone else’s opinions. If I don’t find the dress today, we can come back with other people—like Julie—another time.
“What do you envision your perfect day to look like?” the consultant asks. Her name is Sheri, and she’s incredibly sleek and elegant in her all black outfit. Her glowing brown skin is highlighted by her gold jewelry and gorgeous smile. We’re sitting on a sofa in the middle of the store so she can gather info before we start picking out dresses to try on.
“Oh, pretty simple,” I reply. “We’re planning on simple, muted colors. And we’re trying to find a venue with an ocean view.”
Sheri nods and makes a note on her clipboard. “And tell me about your ideal dress.”
I explain some of my insecurities about my body, which she dismisses but says she’ll find me something that will make me feel fabulous. We discuss fabrics and silhouettes, and then it’s time to wander around the shop.
Sheri points out a few dresses, and I either nod or shake my head, and then she moves over to another rack. She knows where every dress lives in this store, and I’m in awe of her memory.
“Now we have this one,” she says, showing me a simple satin sheath dress. “The back is low, and the front has this lovely drape. But there’s a little bit of sparkle on the straps, so maybe that’ll give the razzle-dazzle your mom is looking for?” She looks at me and Mom, waiting for an answer.
Even on the hanger, I can tell that’s exactly what I want. I nod enthusiastically.
Mom hesitates. “We can try it on, I suppose.”
Sheri winks at me and adds it to her giant pile. She either works out regularly, or this job gives her the muscles she needs to hold up all these dresses.
When Sheri has six dresses picked out, she takes me into the dressing room, and Mom waits on a sofa in the lounge.
“Let’s try one of your mom’s picks first,” she says, pulling out the poofy princess dress with gemstones all over the bodice and a tulle overlay on the skirt.
I step into the dress, and Sheri uses magic clips to fit the dress perfectly to my body. I study my reflection in the mirror, tilting my head.
This is it, the first time I’m seeing myself in a wedding dress. It’s strange. I thought it would be just another dress, but something about all-white, a color we reserve only for weddings, is making it all real.
I’m getting married.
MARRIED.
To Zach.
My heart rate picks up. Is it excitement or nerves? Must be excitement, right?
“What do you think?” Sheri asks, her voice soft.
“I’m…um…not sure.” I look down, patting the skirt. “It’s a lot.”
Sheri nods, and I swear she can see right through my thoughts. “Let’s go show your mom.” She opens the door and lets me through, leading the way to my mom. I have to hold down the skirt to make it through the doorway because it’s so puffy.
