But then he is a criminal, isn’t he? He has eyes everywhere. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d had me investigated.
Fuck, I’m about to marry a monster.
We pull up to a luxury wedding boutique ten minuteslater, the streets surrounding the shop quiet, and Dennis climbs out to come around and open the door. I would say he was a gentleman, but I’d tried the handle and found the doors were locked.
Willow links her arm with mine as Dennis guides us to the door. Once inside, I’m suddenly hit with just how quiet it is.
This particular store is popular for wedding gowns, it’s always busy and I only know that thanks to the number of weddings we’ve held at my father’s hotel – sorry, late father’s hotel, now mine.
“Why is it so quiet?” I whisper, afraid to disturb the silence.
“Mr. Farrow paid to have the shop closed today to the public. It is yours exclusively.”
My eyes snap to Dennis as Willow’s widen, my lips parted as words fail me. It’s then that one of the store attendants joins us in the front, her smile wide and eyes twinkling.
“Miss Lauder,” She says kindly, “Pleasure to meet you.”
Before I can question Dennis, I’m being guided toward the back, Willow on my heels.
I haven’t said a word in minutes, but the woman continues anyway, “We took the liberty of picking out some dresses we think would suit your body type.”
Okay, weird.
“However, you can try on any dress you like. Champagne?”
Still, I haven’t said a word. A flute is pressed into mypalm before the woman floats away, leaving me and Willow standing in the center of the fitting rooms.
“Breathe, Oli,” Willow hisses, “Breathe.”
Her eyes are lit up with amusement as she sips on the champagne.
I suck in a breath, “Fuck me.” Is all I manage to stutter out.
“It’s very last minute,” Willow comments, walking towards the row of stunning dresses that are hanging there, “I can’t imagine having to pick my dress for a wedding which is happening literally the next day. We have to find you something perfect.”
“Where did the, ‘you don’t have to do this’,feelings go?”
“I know you, Oli, you’ll do it regardless.”
I didn’t have a choice.
“Okay, Miss Lauder,” The lady returns, “If you’d follow me, we have you set up in room three. It’s the biggest. Annabelle is in there ready to help you into the dresses and we can guide you out here for your friend to see.”
My flute is plucked from my hand as I am ushered into the large fitting room, a young blonde woman smiling at me as the curtains are pulled behind me.
“Hi!” She chirps but that’s all she says as time whirls around me, my clothes are stripped, and I’m bundled into a dress that weighs more than I do! There’s layers and frills and lace, the top half a corset style that’s pulled so tight it restricts my lungs and pushes up my breasts until they’re touching my chin. It’s a ballgownstyle, but bigger, heavier, and covered in glitter. I hate it.
I can barely walk in the thing as I make my way to Willow.
“Don’t!” I warn her when I see she is two seconds away from bursting out into laughter.
“Not this one,” I grumble to the attendant who nods and helps me back.
Getting it off is much harder than getting it on and I break out in a sweat as the dress is tugged and pulled until I’m finally free and can breathe.
“No ballgowns,” I tell them.
She glances to the rack and winces, “I’ll be right back!” She says as she grabs four of the dresses and drags them from the room, leaving only two behind.
