“Now.”
“Now?” I sat up straighter, taking a large gulp of coffee. “Why now?”
“There’s a shop on the next block. I might not try on anything, but I’d like to look. Get an idea, you know?” She gave me an uncertain look and bit her lip nervously.
I stood and slung my purse on my shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“Are you sure?” She appeared hesitant, like she thought she’d made me mad. Rowan had nothing to do with my current pissed off state. That was all thanks to the man I occasionally called dad when he bothered to come home.
“Absolutely,” I told her, walking away to toss my now empty coffee cup in the trash.
As if she was afraid I’d change my mind she hurried after me.
It was a warmer day and I reveled in the feel of the sun on my skin. I’d always loved the outdoors and being stuck inside all winter had really taken a toll on me.
We stepped into the shop and it looked like tulle had exploded in there. I batted my way through, hoping I didn’t get scolded for touching the dresses.
A woman came out of the backroom, smiling warmly. “Hello, ladies, what can I help you with today?” She asked, clasping her hands together in front of her black pencil skirt. Her dark hair was perfectly coifed back. I’d never be able to get my hair slicked back that tight unless I used superglue. I tended to let my hair do its own thing.
“She’s looking for a wedding dress,” I told the saleslady when Rowan didn’t speak up. I looked over my shoulder to see her standing there, her face as white as the dresses. I guessed it was hitting her that this was real.
The lady began asking Rowan a thousand and one questions that made my head hurt. Another saleslady came to help me with bridesmaids dresses. She pulled a few for Rowan to look over that could be ordered in the color she’d decided on.
I sat in an uncomfortable white chair, waiting for Rowan to come out of the dressing room. The space was decorated in white and pale pink. The furniture was a bit too frilly for my taste. In fact, I found the whole space to be very prissy. I was tempted to throw some gum wrappers I had wadded up in my purse on the ground, just to mess it up a bit.
When Rowan stepped out of the dressing room and onto the platform, my mouth hung open. She twirled around, letting me see the dress from all angles. It was a mermaid style lace gown with a sweetheart neckline, capped sleeves, and an opening in the back. It was absolutely stunning on her.
“Rowan, I think this is your dress,” I breathed in awe, itching to reach out and touch the fabric. “It’s gorgeous.”
“You think so? I mean, it’s the first one I tried on, so…”
“No, don’t second guess it. Sometimes you get things right on the first try, and this…this is your dress. It’s like it was made for you.” I almost felt jealous as she smiled at her reflection. My best friend was marrying her dream guy, having her dream wedding, and going to live happily ever after. I didn’t see a future for myself past graduation and that was really scary.
“You’re right,” Rowan agreed. “This is my dress.”
The saleslady helped her off the platform and into the other room. The lady that had helped me find the bridesmaid dresses ushered me into a room and helped me changed into one of the dresses.
I’d already told her it was an outdoor wedding, so all of the dresses she’d pulled were on the more casual side.
The first one she put me in was really shiny and itchy. I prayed Rowan hated it. If I had to wear this thing through her whole wedding I’d end up having a special burning of the hideous dress ceremony afterwards.
I was already standing on the platform when Rowan came out of the dressing room from changing back into her clothes. Her face screwed up with complete and utter distaste. “That’s awful.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad we agree.”
After two more, I was about to give up. But then the saleslady put me in a floor length flowy dress. It was strapless but had a sweetheart neckline to match the one on Row’s. The one I wore was in a peachy color. It draped beautifully on my body and I wasn’t worried about my boobs popping out, so that was a plus.
Rowan gasped when she saw me. “It’s beautiful!” She clapped her hands. “Perfect! The color too!”
“What about the blue?” I asked, turning around so she could see the back.
“Forget blue, this is so much better and more elegant.”
Well, for someone that had been so stressed earlier she’d made these decisions relatively easy.
She ordered the dresses, as well as one for Olivia, and we left.
Since we hadn’t gotten anything to eat when we met for coffee, we decided to get lunch. It was nice to spend some time with her. We hadn’t had much girl time in months. Life had a tendency to get in the way.