"Because that's what friends do."
"Whatever you say." She wraps the blue dress in tissue paper, but I can see her fighting a smirk. "Make sure to use protection if anything happens. God knows where that dick has been."
"Gross!" I throw a hanger at her while Vinnie dissolves into giggles.
"Just looking out for your sexual health, bestie!"
Vinnie pulls another dress off the rack, this time for herself. "You know you're going to end up buying half the store again, right?"
"It's called retail therapy. Besides, Ethan loves when I dress up for our dates." She says primly. "I'll come back Monday during lunch to get that emerald one. And the black one. Oh, and that cute top."
"Knew it," Amelia whispers to me.
"Ethan's actually cooking tonight. And Lily's coming over for a sleepover. We're doing face masks and watchingFrozenmovies."
"His little sister still the best third wheel ever?" Amelia teases.
"Please, that seven-year-old has more energy than both of us combined. She's probably already got her princess dress on." Vinnie gathers her purse. "I better go rescue him before she convinces him to do another tea party. Last time she put glitter in his hair and it took days to wash out."
"Go," I laugh. "Save your man from princess makeovers."
"Love you both!" Vinnie calls over her shoulder.
"I'll lock up," Amelia says, gathering the empty champagne glasses. "No point in you waiting around when I live upstairs."
"You sure?"
"Go, I’ll be fine."
I grab my dress and purse, giving her a quick hug. "Thanks for today."
"Try not to stress about the wedding too much!" I'm halfway to the door when Amelia calls out, "Hey, Ivy?"
"Yeah?"
She fidgets with a dress hanger, which is so un-Amelia it makes me pause. "I know I give you shit about Caleb, and overstep sometimes. It's just . . ." She meets my eyes. "You deserve someone who sees how incredible you are. Not someone who only half-sees you when it's convenient."
My throat tightens. "Ames . . ."
"I know, I know. You'rejust friends." She waves a hand, but her eyes are soft. "Just . . . promise you'll protect your heart?"
I manage a wobbly smile. "When did you get so wise?"
"Please, I've always been the smart one." She blows me a kiss. "Now go home and pack. And don't you dare take that tie-dye maxi dress. I don't care if it's comfortable, you're not actually a hippie at Coachella."
I laugh despite myself, grateful for how she always knows when to pull me back from the emotional edge. "Love you, you menace."
"Love you more."
"This one makes melook like a cupcake that got emotionally neglected." I twist in front of the full-length mirror, my curves managing to both overflow and get swallowed by yards of pastel tulle. The late Saturday afternoon sun streaming through Pixie & Posh’s bay windows, highlighting every place this dress clearly wasn't designed for someone shaped like an actual woman. "Like a cake that lost its decorator to a breakdown."
"Youarethe cupcake." Amelia tugs at the zipper. "We just need to frost you better. Vinnie, thoughts?"
Vinnie takes a thoughtful sip of champagne from her perch on the vintage settee, her coffee-brown hair cascading in perfect waves while mine's escaping its clip in rebellion. "The color's gorgeous with your skin, but . . ."
"But it looks like my grandmother's curtains had a baby with a prom dress from 1987?" I supply.
"I was about to say it's not quite wedding guest material, but yeah, that works too." She sets down her glass and stands, disappearing behind a rack of dresses that Amelia's mom Rose had curated for the spring collection. "What about something more . . ." Her voice trails off as she pushes hangers aside with purpose.
