“You and Slate? And why haven’t you said anything to us about him?” she asked, her voice sounding both hurt and protective.
“It’s new, Mama, and there isn’t much to tell,” I said, trying to stick as close to the truth as possible.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with Josh, does it?” she asked, giving me her mom stare.
“No, it has nothing to do with Josh.” Yes, it has everything to do with Josh. Well, partly Josh and partly the town. And also partly my self-esteem.
She continued to stare at me, and I hoped my face didn’t give me away.
Her face finally relaxed. “He sure is handsome. I wanted to poke his face to see if it was real.”
I laughed, imagining my mom poking her finger in his cheek. She joined me, giggling as she said, “What? I didn’t know people could be that good-looking in real life. Those eyes!”
His face was handsome, but it was his eyes that drew you in. Like a moth to a flame.
I let myself give in to my true thoughts as I looked back to where Slate stood talking football with my dad. “I know, right?” My eyes lingered on his broad shoulders and the way his back tapered down in a v-shape to his waist, and then my gaze went lower, but I hurried to look away, my cheeks feeling hot. I should definitely not be looking at his butt. Nope, not going to go there.
“You’d better hurry and get in there,” my mom said, motioning to the door behind me. “You cut it close to being here on time. People are going to start showing up soon.”
I nodded and headed into the room. Screams of excitement greeted me, and I hugged the four other bridesmaids as I made my way to where Amy sat, getting the final touches done on her hair.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Amy,” I said, coming up behind her and hugging her shoulders from behind as we stared into the mirror. Her medium-length brown hair was half up with the ends curled, and a scatter of pearl beads were placed perfectly around her head, imitating a crown.
“Thanks, Isla,” she said with a bright smile. “I’m so glad you’re here. What took you so long?”
A couple things, really. One, I didn’t want to be here any sooner than I had to and deal with Josh (selfish, I know), and two, Slate had had a morning practice so I had to wait for him.
I didn’t need to get into all that though, so I simply said, “I got here as soon as I could.”
“Your dress is hanging over there.” She pointed over to the right, where my blush-pink dress hung on a hanger on a hook against the wall.
“You don’t want me to wear this?” I teased, striking a pose in my joggers.
She laughed. “No, because then everyone will be looking at you and not me.”
“Fine,” I said in feigned reluctance. “I guess I’ll let you have the spotlight today.”
She gave me a saccharine smile. “You’re so kind.”
I blew her an air kiss and went to put on my dress. The cut was simple but elegant, with a strapless bodice, fitted waist, and curve-hugging maxi skirt with a ruffled side slit up to mid-thigh.
As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was happy with what I saw. My hair had stayed nicely styled during the drive, and I looked great in the strapless dress. I’d added more makeup in the car but grabbed my lipstick to add the final touch. Smoothing the pink color over my lips, I couldn’t help thinking that I hoped Josh would regret dumping me. Not that I particularly wanted to get back together, but who didn’t want their ex to still think they were hot?
Putting the cap on my lipstick, I threw it back in my bag and gave myself one more look. The dress clung to my curves, showcasing my chest and my butt, and I knew Slate was a fan of both. If he thought I looked gorgeous in my crop top and joggers, what would he think when he saw me in this dress?
The whisperings of butterflies started in my stomach, but I hurried to dismiss them as I smoothed my hands over my abdomen and hips.
“You look beautiful, Isla,” Amy said from behind me. “Josh is going to drool when he sees you and have him wishing he’d never let you go.”
I turned around to face her. “I don’t care about Josh,” I said and hoped it rang true. “This day is all about you and Tyler.”
“I know, but this can’t be easy for you.” She placed a sympathetic hand on my arm. “Especially since you two were going to come here together, and now you’re here alone.”
I hadn’t exactly told Amy I was bringing a date. Mainly because I hadn’t known if Slate would really come. He’d offered, but I’d kept worrying he might back out at the last second, and then I would have to tell her my date had canceled on me.
“So…I actually brought a date.”
“What?” she exclaimed. “You brought a date? Who? Why didn’t you tell me?” Her questions came fast.
