Page 16 of Holiday Hitch
It was going to be cold the week of their wedding, and because Jamie had insisted they do it outside, she wanted to make sure she was well prepared. She had always hated the thought of getting married indoors. But when Dani pitched a winter wedding, Jamie feared she might have to give up that dream.
That’s why they’d begged Zoey to come out of wedding-planning retirement to make their perfect day. Because no one else could pull off their elaborate vision.
Clarissa nodded ecstatically, “It looks pretty cozy, but you can always add another layer under the shirt since it’s a dark color.”
Jamie took another look at herself and considered the suggestion just as the tailor walked in and said, “That’sperfect.”
Jamie couldn’t stop the blush on coming to her face as Atlas examined the fit of the suit.
“Could we leave enough room for some sort of undershirt? Something slick and warm?”
Atlas examined the suit and nodded, “I can special order some merino and make one.”
Surprised, Jamie asked, “Really?”
With a nod, Atlas began to fiddle with the legs of the trousers. “I’d like to bring it in at the legs if that’s alright with you. Have you decided on a shoe yet?”
Jamie shook her head. She was definitely behind schedule, but hopefully with her suit taken care of, she could get on track.
“Not yet, but I trust your vision,” Jamie said with a nervous smile.
“That’s what I like to hear,” Atlas joked as they began to measure the fabric around Jamie‘s ankles, shaking their head in disbelief, “I still can’t believe Jamie Lawson from Intro to Photography is getting married to Dani fucking Crawford.”
“Neither can I,” Jamie said with a giddy smile. It was strange to remember that the confident professional fitting her wedding suit was the same kid Jamie would skip class with back in high school.
As much as both Jamie and Dani had changed since then, it wasn’t lost on Jamie how strange it was to have ended up with her high school bully. What were the odds that they were destined to be together the whole time? That every road led Jamie back to her small-town and the one girl she couldn’t ever stop thinking about?
Of course over the last few years of dating, Jamie and Dani would exchange stories about their time in high school, and with each retelling, it was obvious that all of the tension had stemmed from a deep, burning desire to be together.
“Okay if you’re happy with how this looks, I’ll get going on the alterations and call you when they’re finished,” Atlas said.
Jamie nodded and looked to Clarissa for her thoughts.
“I think it’s perfect,” she said, beaming at her glowing daughter.
“Great, then I’ll see you back here in about a week,” Atlas said, writing down a few measurements in their notebook.
“Thank you,” Jamie called as she headed back into the fitting room and slid into her baggy jeans and oversized sweatshirt.
Upon exiting the boutique, she and Clarissa were immediately greeted by warm Christmas lights strewn across the outdoor mall.
It was unusual to see an outdoor mall here, but the few that existed often had the best stores around and catered to a more expensive shopper.
Jamie had found out about Atlas from Zoey, who had been quick to connect with new vendors in New Winford, especially for the occasional high-profile contact like Jamie.
“Do you mind if we make a stop?” Clarissa asked with a goofy smile.
Jamie rolled her eyes, “Did you seriously plan to do your Christmas shopping at the same time as I was getting the suit for my wedding fitted?”
“To be fair, it’s a long drive, and the selection is better here,” Clarissa teased.
Jamie groaned but followed her mother’s lead to one of the outlets, rubbing her hands together to warm them against the chilly air.
Inside, they were immediately greeted by an employee in a Santa hat, “Welcome!”
Clarissa and Jamie smiled back and greeted them, but as the pair walked into the store, Jamie could hear the same employee whispering with a coworker, “Is that LAWSON?” It was still strange to be recognized, but her celebrity had grown even larger after her last release and the benefit concert that it was happening more and more often.
“Have you figured out what you’re getting Dani yet?” Clarissa asked as they browsed. Obnoxiously loud Christmas music blaring behind them forced Clarissa to speak louder than she would have liked.