“Almost done,” she says. “Turn for me, sweetheart.”
I turn slowly on the pedestal, fingers brushing the delicate skirt. I’ve worn hundreds of costumes on stage. Glittering gold. Stark Swan white. Crimson satin.
My chest swells, and I’m not sure if it’s with hope, maybe. Or terror. They feel the same right now.
Then—
The door opens.
I look up.
And everything inside me goes still.
Scottie stands frozen in the doorway, one hand on the frame, breath caught somewhere between his lungs and the floor.
His eyes find me and swear he stops breathing. Not figuratively… he literally stops. We both do. He looks so dapperin his suit. Like an image I’ve dreamed of. Of the groom, I always thought I would end up marrying in my childhood fantasies.
His mouth parts and his eyes widen as they take me in. The color drains from his face before rushing back all at once, flushing his cheekbones.
“Holy shit, you're beautiful…,” he mutters, barely audible.
Heat flares under my skin, so suddenly I almost flinch.
“Scottie!” Juliet yelps. “No—NO.”
He doesn’t hear her… or flat-out ignores her.
His gaze drifts down the dress, slowly, and heat warms my body everywhere his eyes settle on me… then back up… slowly, as if wanting to take in every inch of me. My heart stutters so violently, I’m sure everyone can hear it.
His voice is rough when it finally scrapes out:
“Katerina…”
Just my name.
But the way he utters it—like it’s the only word he knows — has me thinking that I’ve never heard anyone say it with such care like that before.
Juliet springs into action, bustling forward like someone trying to stop a toddler from grabbing a hot stove.
“OUT! Out, out, OUT! The groom is not allowed to see the dress!”
She shoves both palms into his chest.
Scottie doesn’t move.
Not even an inch. He’s all solid man, and I’m sure he’s taken bigger hits than Juliet on the regular out on the ice.
He’s a six-foot-two brick wall of awe-struck uselessness, and I hold back a chuckle at this point.
“Scottie,” Juliet warns, “move your body. Get out. You can see her tomorrow when she’s walking down the aisle.”
Finally, her words break loose inside him, and his trance ends.
Juliet shoves harder this time, using her whole weight.
He finally stumbles back a half-step—but never looks away as he lets Juliet push him back out the door that he came through. Then she slams it shut behind him…
I grip the skirt to keep my hands from shaking.
