"We'll figure it out together!" The woman—-name tag readSimone—-pulled Dixie deeper into the store. "I'm thinking jewel tones for you. Emerald would be stunning with your coloring."
I followed them through racks of dresses, keeping my distance while Simone pulled options.
"Try these." Simone thrust an armful of dresses at her. "Let's see what works!"
Dixie disappeared into a fitting room, and I settled into a chair facing the three-way mirror.
A few minutes later, she stepped out in a deep emerald dress that hit mid-thigh. Simple, elegant, with thin straps and a neckline that made my brain stop working. Her hair fell over bare shoulders.
She checked herself in the mirror. "Well? Too much?"
"No." My voice came out rougher than intended. "Perfect for the rehearsal dinner."
She blushed.
"Wonderful!" Simone clapped her hands. "Now let's find your dress for the main event."
She returned with several garment bags. "I have options. Let's see what works."
Dixie disappeared back into the fitting room. For the next twenty minutes, I sat there while Simone brought dress after dress. I couldn't see anything, but I could hear their conversation through the curtain.
"Oh, this one's lovely, but the fit isn't quite right..."
"Too much beading for your frame, I think..."
"Beautiful, but not THE one..."
Then silence. Longer this time. Fabric rustled. A soft intake of breath.
"Oh honey," Simone said quietly. "Oh, that's the one."
"You think?" Dixie's voice sounded different.
"I know."
"Can I see?" I started to stand.
"No!" Simone appeared instantly, blocking my view. "Absolutely not! You cannot see this dress until Saturday!"
"Why not?"
"It's a Valentine's Day wedding! It's bad luck if you see it before!" She called back toward the fitting room. "Dixie, promise me he doesn't see this until the ceremony."
I heard Dixie laugh, a genuine one. "I promise."
"This is ridiculous," I said.
"Those are the rules."
Simone came over, voice low. "You're a lucky man. She's lovely."
"Yeah," I said. "She is."
Ten minutes later, Dixie emerged in her regular clothes, cheeks still flushed. Simone had already bagged everything—-two dresses, shoes, a clutch, and accessories I hadn't even known we were getting.
At the register, I handed over my credit card without glancing at the total. Dixie stood next to me, uncomfortable.
"Hunter, this is too much," she whispered.
