“Olive,” she says, her voice softening. She sits beside me and gently pries my hands away from my face. “You slept withAsh Ryder. A rockstar. Yourfake fiancé. I know I joked earlier that you should get with him, but this is going to get messy, fast. He doesn’t exactly scream ‘monogamous and emotionally available.’”
I groan. “I know. Hetoldme he’s not looking for anything real.”
“I’m your best friend. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” Her expression turns worried. “You’ve been playing with fire since the second he walked into your life. He’s your brother’s best friend. A literal rockstar. And you’re… well, you.”
“Thanks?” I say flatly.
“You know what I mean.” She squeezes my hand. “Just… protect yourself, okay? Don’t fall for him. That’s a heartbreak waiting to happen.”
My heart twists. She’s right—but I can’t seem to stop.
With a sigh, I reach for the next dress on the hanger. Nina zips me up without a word.
Then I turn to the mirror.
My breath catches.
The world stutters.
It’s simple. Elegant. Soft. The kind of dress that whispers instead of screams. Ivory, with fluttery cap sleeves and a deep V that somehow feels daring and romantic all at once. The bodice hugs me like it was made for my body, and the fabric skims down to the floor in a way that makes me look taller, softer… braver.
I step closer to the mirror, my fingers brushing the silk at my waist.
For the first time tonight, I don’t feel like a kid playing dress-up. I feel like a woman. A bride.
I feel… beautiful.
“Ash is going to fall over when he sees you in that,” Nina whispers from behind me.
And that’s when the emotion hits.
I blink fast, but it’s no use. Tears pool anyway.
Because I want to be beautiful for him.
Because I wanthimto look at me in this and see forever.
Because the person I want most to show this dress to—my grandma—never will.
She would’ve cried too, probably more than me. She would’ve taken one look and declared itperfect, then started fussing with my hair and calling me her little “marzipan bride.” She would’ve made me twirl. Would’ve kissed my cheek and told me this was the moment she’d been waiting for since I was born.
Nina sees the tears and steps forward instantly, wrapping her arms around me.
“Oh, O,” she murmurs into my shoulder. “I know.”
I nod, swallowing around the lump in my throat. “This is the one.”
She pulls back, hands on my shoulders. “Then that’s that.”
I glance at my reflection again.
And I believe it.
This is the dress I’ll walk down the aisle in.
14
ASH
