No. Definitely not emotional. He’d honestly probably just give me a smirk and a wink, then crack a joke to Tyson.
And for once, I realize I want…more.
I think about Ryan. The guy who told me I look great in dark green. The one who compliments my dresses and says they bring out my eyes.
What would he think?
How would he react?
“Claire?” Sheri’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “Do you want to try a veil?”
I shake my head. “I’m a little too confused to add that to the mix.”
“Oh, hun.” My mom gets off the couch and stands next to me on the stage. She wraps an arm around my shoulders and squeezes me in a side-hug. “You will look gorgeous no matter what.”
“Thank you, Mama,” I say. “But I think it’s just too many options for today. I need some time to think. We can come back with Julie and make the final decision.”
She nods and squeezes me one more time.
I turn to Sheri. “I’d like to get back in my regular clothes now.”
Sheri nods but looks disappointed. She was probably counting on the commission from this sale. She follows me back into the dressing room, where I immediately start apologizing.
“I’m so sorry” I say. “We just spent hours here and you aren’t going to get compensated. I feel awful.”
Sheri furrows her brow. “That’s not a problem.”
“But you look so disappointed.”
She gives me a sad smile. “Claire, honey. This isn’t about me and my commission. It’s aboutyou. You found your perfect dress, but you’re so worried about what your mom thinks that you won’t let yourself love it.” She pats my cheek gently. “It’ll be here waiting for you when you’re ready.”
I nod and steal another glance at myself in the mirror. It really is perfect.
“Can you take a picture of me?” I ask, digging in my purse for my phone. “So I can remember what it looks like?”
“Absolutely.” She grins widely and takes my phone from me. I pose from the front and the back. She shakes her head as she hands back the phone. “You know how I know this is the one?”
I shake my head.
“You look like you’re floating on the clouds. Your smile is what makes you a bride.”
I snort a laugh, and Sheri grins.
“It’s cheesy, I know,” she continues. “But it’s all about the smile. This will be the happiest day of your life. You shouldn’t have any reservations, not about the dress…or the groom.”
She says it cautiously, like she’s testing out waters.
I swallow hard. Is there something about bridal consultants that means they know everything about engaged women?
When I don’t respond, she just smiles again. “But what do I know?” She moves to my back and starts unclipping the magic pins, and I watch the dress deflate around me. She helps me out of it and leaves me to get dressed in my regular clothes.
As I pull on my jeans and sweater, I think about what she said. I wish I could get another person’s input on the whole thing—both the dress and the wedding. And the only person I talk to about how I’m really feeling is…
Ryan.
Is it weird to send him a picture of me in a wedding dress? No, right? We’re friends. Best friends. He knows me better than almost anyone else, and he’s never held his opinions back before.
I don’t give it much of a second thought. I just tap on my phone quickly and attach the pictures.
