Page 202 of By His Vow
“Yes,” Lori says excitedly. “Can we start with the biggest one you have in the store?”
“I don’t need a big dress,” I counter.
“I never said you needed one, but you definitely need to try one on.” She laughs, happiness shining in her eyes.
“We have time to try anything you like,” the assistant says, reminding me that Kingston insisted they closed early and stay until I’ve found “the one.”
As much as I hate to admit it, he’s been the perfect fiancé this week.
I’ve no idea if he’s trying to make up for the leaked photographs or just trying to pacify me so that I don’t set Griz on him again, but he’s been caring and attentive. He’s been involved with Mia regarding the wedding plans instead of leaving it all to me. I mean, sure, he’s got a vested interest in making sure the wedding happens, but I can’t help feeling like he’s even more invested than he needs to be. Almost like he’s excited for it, like he actually wants it. Wants to be married.
I’ve told myself over and over that I’m just kidding myself. That he’s just playing the part everyone is expecting of him.
Pushing to my feet, I begin looking at my options.
White, ivory, silver. Beads, pearls, diamonds. Lace, satin, tulle.
My mind spins with the variety.
I know my style and what suits me, but I’ve got this niggle I can’t ignore that I want something different. I don’t want to choose the style that everyone would expect from me. I want to wow.
This wedding and marriage might be totally out of my hands, but this...this I can control.
“Oh my god, Tate. This one.” Lori gasps from the other side of the store.
Abandoning the dress in front of me, I walk over as she pulls it free.
“Oh my god, that’s?—”
“The one,” Lori gushes.
“I was going to say massive.”
“It’s beautiful, and it’ll look so incredible on you.”
“It’s a bit much,” I say, running my eyes down the ivory dress and the intricate lace that covers it.
It has a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder straps and the skirt…wow. It really is stunning but?—
“Try it on,” Lori urges. “Please.”
The assistant moves closer before she begins explaining all the details about the dress.
Most of it passes me by; I don’t care about the designer or how many diamonds or pearls it has. I’m not the kind of bride who is going to be bragging about the cost of a dress. It could be twenty dollars from a thrift store so long as it makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the room on the day. The cost is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Happiness is way more important.
“Okay,” I concede, making my best friend beam.
The assistant takes the dress from her and carries it toward the back of the store where the dressing rooms are, leaving us to keep looking.
Only ten minutes later, I have three other options lined up.
All three of them are much more…me. Slimmer cut than the first one, straps, less…well, everything. And totally the opposite of the out-of-the-box dress I told myself I was going to look for. I guess old habits die hard.
“Well, I know which one I’m gunning for,” Lori says as we both look at my options.
“Oh yeah,” I deadpan.
“We’ll give you a few minutes,” the assistant says before closing the heavy curtains and leaving me alone with the dresses.