I look radiant. Feminine. Strong.
It’s not just a dress, it’s a declaration.
“This is it,” I murmur, emotion thick in my throat.
“Colt’s going to lose it,” Anna says, squeezing my hand.
The assistant blinks. “Wait… Colter Slade? I thought I recognized you.” I stiffen. “Oh, don’t worry, honey. I won’t tell a soul,” she says quickly. “It’s an honor to help the future Mrs. Slade. And the whole band is dreamy. Especially the bassist.”
Anna snorts. “He is the sexiest. And his kid? Adorable.”
The assistant smiles widely. “You must be Anna! This is officially my best day ever.”
“Thanks for helping us find this dress. Colt’s gonna have a full-blown coronary when he sees her.”
“He certainly will,” she replies, checking the seams. “It fits like it was made for you.”
I nod. “I love it. Truly.”
Anna jumps up and down, clapping. “All right, get changed. Next stop, flowers.”
I groan. “Trying on thirty dresses is actual cardio.”
Anna laughs, waving me back to the changing room. “Move it, future bride.”
Once I’m dressed, I hand over Colt’s card. I didn’t check the price. That’s my mistake.
“That’ll be twenty-five thousand pounds,” the assistant says.
I choke. “It’s lace and a sash. Are they spun with gold?”
Anna grins. “It’s a designer. And it’s perfect. Colt’s got more money than sense. He’ll want this for you.”
I hesitate, but the knowing look on Anna’s face tells me everything. She’s already spoken to him.
“Fine,” I mutter, handing over the card. “But if he faints at the total, I’m blaming you.”
The assistant carefully bags the dress. “It doesn’t even need alterations. You can take it home today.”
And just like that—I have my dress.
We hit the florist next, and I carry the garment bag like it’s made of glass. No way am I leaving it in the car. I chose a bouquet of white and lilac David Austen roses. Clean, timeless. With coffee accents instead of pink, just like Colt wanted.
By the time we get home, the guys still aren’t back. Anna and I hustle the dress upstairs, hiding it in the guest room closet like it’s a state secret.
That’s when we hear footsteps echo downstairs.
We glance at each other, then hurry toward the stairs.
“Hey, girls,” Colt calls up. “Have a fun day?”
Anna grins. “Thirty dresses later, and we foundthe one. Colt, you’re gonna come in your pants when you see her in it.”
Colt lifts his chin in appreciation. “Well… that’ll be both entertaining and highly inappropriate on the day.”
I step off the last stair, and he takes me in his arms as Johnny kisses Anna on her head.
“I can’t wait to see you in your dress, baby,” Colt whispers against the shell of my ear, nuzzling into my neck. I smile and tighten my hold on him. “But I also can’t wait to see the dress on the floor,” he whispers, and I giggle.
