“Liv, you look stunning.”
I stare at myself in the mirror in shock and awe. Running my finger along the lace covering my collarbone, I’ve never felt more beautiful.. “Ansley.” My voice is hushed. I look at her through the mirror. She walks closer and wraps her arms around my shoulders, placing her chin on my shoulder.
“I told you I would do my best to make everything perfect.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. Through all the fittings, she has become acquainted with the scars on my body. I began to open up and tell her the stories behind them. Some of the stories made her cry. Others made her angry. But she never made me feel less.
The dress is a three-quarter sleeve A-cut. The lace sleeves have what looks like leaves scattered up to my shoulder, then going down the fitted bodice. As the dress gets to where it flares out, there are flowers sewn onto the lace all the way down to the hem of the dress and down the train. Ansley puts her hands in the pockets of the dress, and I laugh.
“You did it!” I exclaim. That was the only thing I requested. I allowed her to have complete creativity, but all I wanted was pockets. Trying to turn to give her a hug, I get caught up in all the fabric. She laughs and comes around so I’m able to hug her. “This is more than I ever expected. It’s absolutely perfect.” Weseparate and I stare at her. “Ansley, I don’t like that I’m not paying you for this.”
She scowls at me. “Olivia.” She drops her voice and I scowl right back at her.
“Only Victor can pull that off.”
She laughs and I smirk at her. “Look, you know the money problems I was having. The fact I can do this and not be scared I won’t eat next week is exhilarating. So, please, let me do this.” She gives me a pleading look and I nod slowly. “Besides, the website looks amazing, and the app is coming along really nicely. Let’s just say we’re even.”
“Alright. Victor keeps telling me I need to let people take care of me, but it’s hard,” I tell her.
Betsy insisted on catering the reception and Caroline wants to do the snacks while people are waiting. Betsy is getting paid, but Caroline will only let us pay for what she needs to get. She won’t let us pay her. Bec is helping with the decorations and Bailey is doing anything that requires calligraphy or some kind of painting.
“We all love you, hon. More than I think you realize. We’re doing for you what you would do for any of us.” My eyes begin to burn.
“What is taking so long?!” Bailey yells.
“Yeah, we want to see!” Bec says.
“The calvary is calling,” Ansley says and rubs her hands together. “You scoot behind the door so they can’t see you when I open it, then you come out when I tell you.”
“Okay,” I whisper, and she arches an eyebrow at me.
“Don’t start crying. If you start crying, I’ll start crying and Caroline will definitely start crying.”
“Hey, I heard that!” Caroline says, but Bailey and Bec are loudly agreeing.
I laugh and shake my head as I move to where Ansley tells me. She walks out and I close my eyes, taking in this moment. I’ve never been happier in my life. I have an amazing fiancé and friends. Two things I never thought I’d have.
“Come on, they’re impatiently waiting,” Ansley says.
I chuckle and step from behind the door and walk out into the boutique. I’m greeted with oohs and aahs, then Carolinedoesstart crying.
Bailey smiles at me. “Liv, you look breathtaking.”
Bec brings me a glass of champagne as Ansley fills up everyone’s empty glasses. “Cheers to you,” Bec says. We all clink our glasses and take a drink. The other girls sip theirs, but I drink all of mine. Caroline arches an eyebrow at me, but I shrug.
“I’m trying to catch up with all of you,” I tell her and she laughs. She walks over and hugs me tightly.
“You are going to be the most beautiful bride ever,” she whispers. I hug her back, my eyes burning again. It seems like since that wall has been torn down, I’m becoming more like Caroline.
“Alright, let’s get you out of this dress, then we can eat,” Ansley says. She helps me get out of the dress and leaves me so I can put my clothes back on. When I come out, Bec offers me a plate she made me.
“Thank you. I’m starving.” I dip a cracker in some cheese and hum. “Caroline, when you’re ready, I’ll help you create a website,” I tell her.
She gives me a small smile. “I’ll let you know.”
I study her for a few seconds. “Are you okay?”
With everything going on, we haven’t had any girl time in a while. I did talk to her earlier this week about mine and Victor’s relationship. She understood and accepted it a lot better than I expected.
