Save the Date (Modern Arrangements, #1)

"Lilli, I never realized how phenomenal your legs are." Viola was pulling back the slit and getting a very up close and personal view of my leg. I laughed and tried to pull the dress back down.

"I would prefer not to show my underwear off to everyone." I laughed.

"You mean your lack of underwear," Viola smirked and then laughed. I blushed until I turned tomato red.

"Lilli!" Maggie snorted out loudly in hysterics.

"It's good that you aren't," Phoebe informed the room "This dress will show panty lines. That means that we are going to have to go lingerie shopping." Phoebe's eyes sparkled.

"Not today!" I warned her.

"But the ball is next weekend," she pouted.

"Oooh, can I go?" Viola chimed in excitedly. "You know what, after the fittings, let's all go." She turned to me before I could object. "The guys are going to be at the tux shop for hours this afternoon, we can get it all taken care of today and then have dinner." Viola smiled proudly.

"Fine," I growled.

"Yeah!" Phoebe sang. I huffed. "Here, try this mask" Phoebe handed me the mask and I put it on.

The mask was pretty elaborate.

"It's perfect, Lilli" Phoebe smiled and motioned for me to look in the mirror. It was all white, except for around the eyes where it was black with silver swirls. The outside of the mask was lined with silver threading and crystals that reflected green and red. A lone black gem encased in a silver triangle rested at the center. On the right side was a large, black, lace flower with black netting.

"Everyone get together," I motioned to everyone.

We all stood together in the mirror. It was a sea of curves wrapped in black and white. A group of beautiful gowns, masks and women.

"Superb!" Madeline chimed in and smiled at us all.

"Okay...time to shop!" Phoebe ran to the changing area.

After everyone was changed, we headed to the lingerie shop. Viola had called ahead, making arrangements, while we ate. Once we entered, curtains were pulled over the windows and the ‘closed’ sign was flipped.

"Juliette, thank you so much for doing this on such short notice." Viola leaned in and kissed a very tall, slender woman on each cheek.

"Anything for you, my dear." She smiled warmly at Viola while holding onto her shoulders. Then she looked over at Maggie. "Ahh...Maggie, you are getting more and more beautiful every time I see you!" She moved quickly to Maggie and hugged her tightly.

"Thanks, Juliette." Maggie blushed slightly.

"And, Anne, it is always a pleasure to see you," Juliette briefly hugged her and moved back.

"As it is to see you," Anne smiled back politely. "You know, Elora" Anne motioned to Lor who was standing just on my left.

"Of course I remember Elora. Congratulations on your marriage." Juliette briefly hugged her.

"This is Lilli," Viola moved next to me and pulled me forward toward Juliette, "Aidan's wife."

Juliette's face lit up.

"Mrs. Iverson," she squeezed me tightly "It is a pleasure to meet you." She wrapped her arm in mine and pulled us towards full length mirrors and a large rack of lingerie. "We have some great things selected for you." I smiled, a little unsure. I was just starting to realize the full reaction people had to me being 'Aidan's wife'.

Phoebe moved quickly to the rack of lingerie.

"We need something sexy, seamless, and definitely a thong."

"Ah...I do believe that you will find some matching sets in this portion of the rack." Juliette motioned to the section and Phoebe went to work.

"Lilli, this is perfect" Phoebe pulled out a smooth, nude strapless bra with matching seamless thong.

I shrugged.

"Works for me." I turned around to everyone. "I'm done." Smiling, I sat down in a chair.

"Oh, come on," Viola pulled me out of the chair. "Let's try on some 'fun' stuff."

As she pulled me toward the changing rooms I looked over my shoulder to Phoebe and Celia.

"Help me."

They both laughed as Viola pushed me into a room.

"Here, try these first." She shoved a couple of different risqué and lacy get-ups. "Does Aidan have a color preference?" Viola shouted through the store.

Even though I was alone in the dressing room, I covered my face and blushed.

“I'm sure he prefers nothing at all," Celia giggled.

"Nah, I bet Aidan likes black," Phoebe giggled. "He strikes me as a guy who likes the bad girl look."

"Oh God," I groaned, hearing their laughter pick up.

"Maybe he likes costumes like his Uncle Liam," Viola tossed out there.

"Eww...Mom! No!" I heard Maggie shout and now I was the one laughing. Maggie barged into the changing room. "Save me from having to listen to that," she pleaded.

I shook my head.

"Sorry, you can still hear them from here." I held my stomach and laughed.

"Viola," Anne was stifling her laughter. "Costumes? Really?"

"Oh, come on, Anne," Viola sounded astounded. "Do I need to remind you of last New Year when you told me about a certain Henry who has a thing for 1940's lingerie."

"Viola!" Anne shouted, horrified. The rest of us were in hysterics, I even heard Maggie snort loudly.

Sadie Grubor's books