“It’s our favorite bride.” A woman with a tight white bun and tailored blue suit appeared from behind a curtain. She kissed Marin on the cheek.
“Hi, Miss Maria.” She turned to us. “This is my friend, Eden, and her friend, Taylor.”
I shook the woman’s hand. I couldn’t help but notice how regal she looked.
“Are you ready to try on your dress? I have it for you in the first dressing room.” She ushered Marin toward the row of cubicles. “You girls are welcome to browse or have a seat. We’ll be right back.”
Taylor darted to the cocktail side of the store. “Eden, look at this one.” She picked up a bright pink dress and held it against her body.
“You should try it on. It looks like you.”
“No, I don’t have an occasion to wear it.” She shoved it on the rack. “I think it will be awhile before I have anything fancy enough for a dress like that.”
“Are you missing Jesse?” I held up a light blue strapless gown. I loved the color.
“Jesse?” She laughed. “No way. He never would have taken me to a nice place any way, or invite me to a wedding. We were headed nowhere.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t miss him.” I wanted to try on the dress in my hand. I held onto it. When Miss Maria came back, I would ask her.
“Did you miss Brett when you two broke up?”
I stopped admiring the dress and turned toward her. “No, I guess not. I thought I would miss the relationship part with him, but I didn’t.” I never looked back once Brett and I broke up.
“Plus, you had Grey.” Taylor checked the tag on a black cocktail number.
I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that right away.” I thought about the days leading up to Grey and me sleeping together. Granted, it was fast and furious, but I never felt like my relationship with Brett was a part of it. We were over long before I set foot in South Padre.
“He seemed much happier at lunch than he was last night. Did you two have a talk or something?”
“Actually, we did.” I smiled. I felt like we were starting to fuse together the electricity that had always lingered between us.
“Good, because I like him.” She tucked the black dress on the rack. “Where is this bride?”
Marin appeared from behind the curtain and stepped onto a pedestal.
“Marin, you look amazing.” I walked toward her. Miss Maria was holding a veil to the side, ready to plant on her head.
“Thank you. You like it?” She faced her reflection in the bi-fold mirror.
“I love it. Pick is going to go nuts when he sees you in this.” I admired her silhouette and the lines of the dress. It was made for her.
She twirled a few times. “I think I’m ready.” She looked down from her perch. “What’s that dress? Are you going to try it on?”
I forgot I was holding the blue gown. “I was thinking about it.”
Miss Maria reached for the garment. “Right this way, dear. You can change in here.” She pulled back a curtain, revealing a full-length mirror and a chair. “Let me know if you need any help.” She hustled back to the bride.
With the wedding only a few weeks away, I needed a dress to wear. I hadn’t planned on trying any on today, but when the dress speaks to you, you have to listen. I walked to the main area of the shop to see if I had bride approval. Taylor and Marin were laughing about something. It was good to see them getting along. Taylor hadn’t been subtle about her jealousy. It was hard to watch old friends make new ones.
“Look at you.” Taylor whistled. “You have to get it.”
Marin smiled. “Is it for the wedding?”
I nodded. “I think it would be perfect.”
She agreed. “Get it. Grey will love it.”
After our talk this morning, I had butterflies again whenever I thought about him. “All right. This is the one.”
Marin stepped down from the stage in front of the mirrors. “Taylor and I were talking, and we have come up with an idea for tonight.”
“What’s that?” I just noticed the tag on the dress. It was two hundred and fifty dollars. Definitely more than my fashion budget for the rest of fall.
Taylor squealed. “We’re going to have a bonfire. Marin said she would invite all of Pick’s friends. I might meet a cowboy after all.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Do you think Grey will be up for it?” Marin asked.
“I don’t know. His leg is still bothering him, but I’m sure we can go for a little while.” I hated to think about him getting sand in the brace or trying to navigate the beach on crutches. We’d have to think of something. I laughed at the idea of trying to haul him around in a beach buggy.
“Ok. It’s settled. I have a wedding dress. You have a dress to wear to the wedding, and tonight we are having a big party.” She giggled and walked to the curtain. “The bride has spoken.”