The wedding dress attendant came up next to her and flipped through a few of the hanging dresses. “These are the newest dresses in the shop.” She located the one Brooke had studied.“This one was a special order from a designer in Paris. You have very good taste.”
“Paris?” Brooke stepped back. Her skin itched. She knew she’d never have a need for a dress from Paris. She had been so foolish in looking at them in the first place. “Paris. I’d love to go someday,” she added for no particular reason.
Brooke hadn’t been anywhere. While many of her classmates in college enjoyed study-abroad financed by their parents, she could barely scrape together enough to save for a weekend in Florida with friends over spring break. Paris, who was she kidding?
“They don’t call it,” the attendant shuffled through the dresses and pulled one from the rack, “the city of love for nothing.” She held it in front of Brooke’s body. “I think the dress is perfect for you.”
“I’m not in the market to buy a wedding dress.” Brooke stiffened in place. Her neck tightened. “I don’t even have a boyfriend.” She stepped further from the dress until her back hit the hanging clothes.
“Have you ever heard of manifesting?” The attendant placed the dress back on the rack then rifled through a few more. Eventually, she removed another dress and held it up in front of Brooke’s body. “I’m a big believer in it.”
“I think you’re only trying to sell wedding dresses,” Brooke muttered.
The wedding dress attendant laughed. “I think you need to manifest getting married.” She tilted her head as she examined the dress she placed in front of Brooke’s body. “Visualize it in your mind, then boom, someday it’ll come true. Buy a dress today and trust me someday your prince will come.”
“How many women have you told this to?” Brooke sidestepped around the dress and moved back to the middle of the shop.
“Not many,” the attendant traipsed behind her with the dress still in her arms. “But it worked for them.”
“How would you know? You only sold them a dress. You don’t know if they actually are married now.” Brooke crossed her arms and peered in the direction Aubrey disappeared to earlier. She wanted her to make an appearance, fast. The sooner they left this land of sunshine and rainbows the better.
“The cost of wedding dresses will only continue to rise. Buy a dress today and lock in the price.”
This lady needed to learn to read the room.
Brooke put a finger under her collar and tugged. “I’m not buying a dress, even if that is your hard sell. It isn’t happening. I’m having to bring a fake boyfriend to my friend’s wedding, so I don’t have to feel like a complete loser in front of my ex-boyfriend and his new arm candy. I’m miles away from purchasing anything. I’ll take my chances with price fluctuation.”
“Okay—” She awkwardly placed the dress back on the rack then straightened some of the dresses next to it. “Have it your way.”
Then to her great relief, Aubrey appeared in her wedding dress.
Brooke sidestepped around the wedding dress attendant. “Aubrey!” She squeaked a tad too loud as her gaze roamed Aubrey’s form. “You look incredible. I forgot how much that dress highlights your best features.” She walked the rest of the way to where Aubrey stood in front of a wall of mirrors, angled in every direction for a perfect view of the entire dress.
“Thanks.” Aubrey beamed as her hand ran down the front of her dress. “I love it as much as I remember, and luckily the adjustments they made are perfect.” She made an okay sign at herself in the mirror.
Brooke lowered herself into one of the white cushy armchairs in a semicircle facing the wall of mirrors. “Can you take the dress home today?” She dropped her purse by her feet. “Or do you have to come back?”
The wedding attendant from before appeared with a veil in her hands. “Here, let me place this on your hair.” She came up from behind and attached the veil into Aubrey’s hair.
“Ahh,” Brooke gushed. “You look gorgeous. Ian is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”
“You think so?” Aubrey twisted this way then the other, getting a full look at herself. “I do love this dress.”
“Absolutely, and I can see why.” Brooke watched as Aubrey admired her reflection in the mirror.
“If you’re happy with everything,” the attendant stepped up and removed the veil, “I’ll help you out of this dress. Then we’ll steam it before you take it home today, and you’ll be ready for your wedding day.”
“Only two more weeks until my big day.” Aubrey took hold of the large bottom half of her dress, lifting it up enough to walk. “It feels surreal.”
“It’ll be here in a snap.” The attendant motioned toward the dressing room. “Let’s get you out of this dress and on your way.”
Aubrey walked back to the dressing room with the attendant traipsing behind her.
Brooke leaned back in her cushy chair and waited. Her phone dinged, and she retrieved it from her purse. A message from Logan flashed across the screen.
What time should I swing by for the concert? I checked out the route there and we can take the L train.
Since meeting his parents, Logan hadn’t really touched base with her, not like before. Their nightly text messaging and calls had stopped. They had run into each other a few times at the hospital. She guessed the ruse was up, and she reminded herself this would just be until the wedding. Then Logan would drop from her life completely. Brooke figured by now Logan might be reacquainted with Shelby.
