“What? Oh, no,” I tell her, stepping away. “I’m not a bride, I’m just here to pick something up. The manager went to get it for me.”
“Come on, try it on. It feels so good. Sometimes, I wear one through my entire lunch break.”
“Really?” I ask, inadvertently stepping back towards her and the veil.
“Unless my manager is here, like today. Then I can’t. And I swear, on those days, I always feel significantly less alive. Okay, here we go.”
Before I can stop her—not that I’m actually trying to stop her—my veil fairy godmother slips the bridal comb into the top of my hair and pulls the front tulle down to cover my face.
“There,” she says, stepping back to appreciate her work. “I knew the antique lace would suit you. You have a bit of that old-fashioned glamour about you.”
“Do I?” I’m set on believing her whether she’s lying or not. Full disclosure, there’s a solid chance I’m walking out of here with a veil to wear while sitting at home. This girl is a good saleswoman.
I have the distinct suspicion she’s on the verge of selling me a festive tiara when the salon’s phone rings.
“One sec, I’ll be right back,” she says.
I turn to the mirror as she skips back behind the counter.
“Okay,” I say to my reflection, “I need to find a valid excuse to justify the purchase of this veil. I’m thinking I either use it for character research or I become an elegant beekeeper.”
Ryan chuckles as he steps into view behind me in the mirror.
“What do you think?” I ask, quickly realizing just how important his answer is going to be.
“I think,” he says, stepping closer, “you look incredible.”
“Thanks.” A smile crosses my face and I bite my lip to try to contain it. “Honestly, fashion designers need to figure out a way for people to wear these in everyday life. I feel like my entire gait has changed. Something about the comb going into your hair activates the spine to correct your posture to make you inherently graceful.”
“Look at you, changing the future of fashion and making major medical breakthroughs. And here I thought our sexy-time was going to be the most memorable part of your week.”
“I’m a gifted multitasker.”
“It would seem so.”
I fluff the veil a bit in the front as I continue to watch Ryan’s reflection behind me in the mirror.
“So, as a guy who’s said he’s trying to get married and have kids in the very near future, how does it feel to be in the presence of a veil-wielding lady? Are your hands clammy? Are you on the verge of buying a one-way ticket to Indiana?”
“I’m fine,” Ryan says calmly. “Cool as a carrot.”
“You mean a cucumber.”
“No, I hate cucumbers. Carrots are delicious and they do great things for your vision.”
I laugh and turn around as Ryan approaches. Despite claiming to be cool as a carrot, I catch a nervous flash in his eyes as he reaches out and grabs the bottom of the veil. I have to remind myself to breathe as he slowly lifts it up to uncover my face, pushing it behind my head to fall across my shoulders.
“I know this is sudden,” he says, “but I have to ask you something. Kara Sullivan...do you want to take Duke for a walk with me when we get back to the apartment?”
I give my smile free rein as I take his hands. “I do. I do want to take Duke for a walk when we get back to the apartment. Do you?”
“I do,” Ryan answers with a grin.
A second later, we jump apart when the store manager walks back in carrying Cristina’s veil in a white garment bag.
“Here it is,” she says, handing it to me while pulling off a note that’s attached to the hanger. “Please apologize to Cristina for us and wish her a very happy wedding day.”
“I will, thank you so much.”
