“This could be the one,” she says.
I was optimistic the first time I heard that. The fourth time isn’t quite as exciting. I let asure, sounds greathum answer for me as I keep fondling the soft array of fabrics.
“Did you want to try one on, miss?” Meredith suddenly appears beside me. Her red hair stands out like a drop of blood in snow.
“Oh, no, that’s okay.” I’m quick to answer. “I’m just here for moral support. My…” I hesitate because I’m never sure what to refer to Ellie as.Sisterdoesn’t sound right since we’re more like friendly strangers.Stepsistersounds strange and clunky even if technically correct. It sounds like a distinction, like I want to make it clear that we’re not blood relations or that there’s a degree of separation between us. “Ellie is the one getting married.”
“Well, I’d be honored if you decided to.” Pink stains her cheeks. “I’m a huge fan of your music.”
I’m taken aback by the compliment. My attire for today was more than just laziness—I’m trying not to attract attention. I’m even wearing a baseball cap to disguise my identity. It worked—no one gave me a second glance as I walked from my car to the bridal shop. But not as well as I thought, it appears.
“Thank you,” I reply.
“You’re performing at Wembley tonight, right?”
“Right,” I confirm.
Meredith sighs. “After you announced the tour, I woke up at the crack of dawn to get tickets, but they were already sold out.”
“I can get you tickets,” I offer.
She gasps. “Really?”
“Yeah. Just write down your email address, and I’ll pass it along to my assistant. She’ll send you a couple.”
“Oh my God, I can’t believe it. Seriously, I just about lost it when you walked in here. ‘Heartbreak for Two’ is my absolute favorite song. It’s just…ugh, I’m sorry.” She covers her face with both hands for a minute, then lets them drop, revealing a sheepish expression. “I told myself I wasn’t going to do this. You must be so sick of people never leaving you alone.”
Celebrity can be exhausting. But I’m also well aware fans like Meredith are the main reason I have a career.
“You’re so sweet to say that. Thank you.”
Meredith smiles, then bites her bottom lip. She reaches for a dress on the long rack beside us and pulls it free from the rest. “I was inspired to design this one based on the gown you wore to the American Music Awards last year.”
I figured she just works here, but apparently she designs the dresses as well. I trace the flowing lines of the ivory chiffon with my eyes, tempted to reach out and touch it too. “It’s gorgeous. I can’t believe you designed it.”
“Do you want to try it on?” The question is hopeful.
I glance between the dress and Ellie, who’s standing up on the platform, watching us with an unreadable expression on her face. But if I had to guess, I’d say that her wedding-dress designer fawning over me was not part of the outing she envisioned.
“I won’t need a wedding dress anytime soon.” I hedge. “Maybe ever.” I laugh like I’m kidding, but I’m not. For the most part, I associate marriage with unhappiness.
The way my parents’ relationship ended, and the turmoil that preceded their split, left a lasting impression on me that’s colored the way I see relationships. Pair that with how I’ve chosen to pursue a career path that involves lots of travel and wonky hours, and it’s no wonder that my last relationship started and ended through conversations between public relations teams.
“You never know…” Meredith smiles. I guess you have to be a bit of a hopeless romantic to design and sell wedding dresses for a living.
I’m pretty sure I do, but I capitulate under her warm smile, anyway. “Okay. I’ll try it on.”
Meredith beams as she holds the dress out to me. “This is a sample size, but it should fit you.”
I nod and take the dress from her before ducking into the changing area.
It takes me a solid five minutes to get undressed and put on the wedding dress. The cool, silky fabric glides over my skin like a waterfall.
There’s no mirror in here. I have to go outside to get the full effect.
I pull the curtain back and step outside.
Meredith’s hands fly up to cover her mouth as her eyes widen to a comical size. “Wow.”