With a chuckle, we finished up our food and paid the check, then got back into Candace’s car for another short drive down the road to another boutique. I checked my phone before sliding out of the car this time, seeing a text I’d apparently missed from Jayce.
I hope you’re feeling better. Send the girls away if you need to.
I laughed, typing up a quick reply. So much for that.
They already have me. Food helped. I told Candace this is the last stop of the night :)
No luck finding the perfect dress?
Not yet. Like I said, I’ll go in a potato sack by the end of it.
That’s fine. It wouldn’t matter.
“Earth to Macey,” Candace said, snapping her fingers in my face. I hadn’t realized we were inside already, and a nice middle-aged woman with a tight hairdo and too much makeup smiled at us.
“Do you know what you’re looking for?” she asked me. I shrugged, glancing over at Candace, who rolled her eyes and stepped up.
“We want the perfect dress,” she said, settling her hands on her hips. “Can you help us?”
Somehow, and I still don’t know how, we did find the perfect dress. After all those shops, after more than a dozen costume changes, we finally found the flipping dress.
“It’s gorgeous,” Paisley gushed, her eyes popping wide as I stepped out of the changing room, tense and waiting for their reaction. Candace, who had been admiring some wedding dresses a few feet away, turned to look when Paisley gasped, and for the first time all night I saw the approval in her eyes.
“Well, shit,” she said, dropping her hands to her side dramatically. “We found the dress.”
And indeed we had. The stunning aqua blue gown was studded with jewels all down the back, draping over my shoulders like silk. A half slit showed plenty of leg but was just modest enough to keep him guessing. I loved it.
“I think this is the one we’ll take,” I said to the employee with a small smile, and even she nodded in sincere approval.
“That dress has been here for months, and you’re the first person to try it on that actually seems made for it.”
I was giddy as I went back to the changing room to change clothes and pack up my dress. I had never been one for material things, as I’d choose sweats and a hoodie over a dress any day, but I was excited about this one. I felt good in it; really good. And I knew Jayce would love it on me. I loved it on me.
“What about some shoes, Mace?” Paisley asked as I came out of the changing room with the dress draped over my arm.
“And look here,” said Candace, admiring a row of brilliant diamonds that were probably fake, but expensive. “You’re already set for the bracelet, but maybe we can find a necklace to match?”
“It’s all lovely,” I said, digging into my back pocket for my wallet. “But I can barely afford the dress, let alone anything else.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Paisley said, reaching into the pocket of her zipped jacket to pull out a credit card. “It’s on Erik.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he overheard Candace talking about it to me,” she said. “He really wanted to do something for you to show how proud of you he is.”
A lump rose in my throat and my hand fluttered to my heart as yet another wave of adoration for my uncle overcame me. I had known for a long time that getting through life without his guidance would be nearly impossible, but he cared for me in such a way that my own father should have cared, or even my mother.
“No crying allowed,” Paisley said, reaching out to squeeze my upper arm. “This is going to be the best time of your life. Embrace it.”
I looked between Candace and Paisley, realizing right then just how lucky I was to have not only two good friends, but sisters; sisters who looked out for me when I needed it the most. Sisters who got excited for me about the things that I should be happy about, too. Sisters. Family.
We settled on a stunning pair of lacy silver heels that glimmered under the light. I picked out a pair of teardrop diamond earrings and a beautiful necklace and we purchased what we needed before heading out of the little boutique, bags in hands, and my mood rising, just a little bit.
“Thank you, guys,” I said, putting the bags in the trunk of Candace’s car before sliding into the backseat so we could head home. “I needed this today.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” said Candace, pulling through a coffee shop drive-through so we could all order a drink before the drive home. “I love having a new friend. Honestly, most of the guys on Dalton’s team don’t keep a girlfriend long-term, so every time I get to know a girl it’s only a matter of time before she’s broken up with and never seen again. It kind of sucks.”
“I can’t guarantee how long I’ll be around,” I said with a chuckle, sipping my iced chai. “But you can enjoy me while I’m here. I’m happy to have you both in my life. Sincerely.”
