“In six days,” I squeak, wincing as her eyes widen. When Noah and I decided to throw this thing together in six days, I knew it might be difficult but I never realized how long it took to order a wedding dress until I told Hannah and she started freaking out.
“Oh, I see. In a rush, are we?”
Ali laughs as she steps up next to me and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Well, he’s only been waiting to marry her for sixteen years so yeah, you could say that.”
“Sixteen years… wow.”
I nod. “We met when we were eleven.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet. All right, then.” She claps her hands together as she turns to the shop. “We’re going to have to focus on something you can leave with today but we might be able to squeeze you in for alterations so that does open up our options a little bit. What’s your style?”
I look around the shop and stop on a dress on one of the mannequins - a gorgeous ivory lace appliqué dress with an illusion halter, an open back, and a natural tulle skirt.
“What about that one?”
Megan follows my gaze before turning back to me with a grin. “It is your lucky day. That dress was being retired to the back today to make room for next season so if you love it, you’ll get it for a steal.”
“Try it on,” Hannah urges. “I’m dying to see how it looks on you.”
I purse my lips as I stare at it, wondering how much it costs. Noah told me not to worry about money but I can’t help it. I’ve been pretty damn frugal for the past six years and it feels weird to splurge.
“Let me go take it off the mannequin,” Megan says, pointing off to a set of couches in front of floor-to-ceiling mirrors. “Y’all can have a seat over there and I’ll come get you when I’m ready.”
I nod and follow the girls as they lead me over to the couches. Carly, Ali, and Tate sit on one couch while Hannah, Quinn, and I sit down on the other. I sigh as I look around the room, a little overwhelmed by all the white tulle.
“So…” Carly prompts and I turn to her as she studies me. “Excited? Nervous?”
“Um, yes?” I answer and she smiles. “Actually, I’m excited to be married but I can’t say I’m looking forward to the actual wedding. I don’t really like being the center of attention.”
Tate shakes her head. “Well, who could blame you after the shit you’ve been through? But the club won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.” I remember how eager they all were to help me plan my proposal to Noah and smile.
“So, how did all of you meet your guys?” Hannah asks, leaning back into the couch and Ali laughs.
“Well, Logan was my neighbor and his dog got out of his yard and tackled me.”
I wince. “Ouch.”
“Worked out okay for me,” she answers with a shrug before turning to Carly. “She also met Chance because of it.”
“Yep,” Carly says, smiling at Ali. “Kind of the best thing that ever happened to me. Just don’t tell him that.”
“Well, Lincoln was stalking me… just a little bit,” Tate replies, pinching her fingers together as I laugh.
“All’s fair in love and war, right?”
She grins. “Exactly.”
“What she means by exactly is that she shot him in the leg and tased him,” Ali cuts in and Tate shrugs, not the least bit bothered.
“He deserved it. Besides, the make-up sex was…fire.” She winks and I giggle as Hannah joins me, shaking her head.
“I think I’m going to like this group,” Hannah whispers to me and I nod. From what I’ve seen so far, the boys and their ladies are all the kind of people you want to have in your life - loyal, kind, fun.
“Me, too.”
“Ma’am,” Megan says, stopping by our group with my dress in her hand. “I’m ready for you.” She turns to the rest of the group. “My associate, Riley, is bringing y’all some champagne.”
I stand up and follow her as they all shout out their thanks. She laughs and leads me back down a long hallway into the dressing room before hanging my dress on the hook. I run my hands over the fabric, admiring it and secretly looking for the price tag, and Megan laughs.
“Looking for a price tag?” she asks and I blush as I nod.
“Yeah.”
“It’s two thousand dollars.”
I nearly choke on my own tongue and blood rushes to my cheeks as I turn back to her. “Uh, maybe we should look at something a little cheaper.”
“No, you will not!” Hannah yells from the hallway and I yank the dressing room door open. She barges in and crosses her arms over her chest. “Noah told me you might try this and he ordered me to make sure you get the dress you love and nothing less - no matter how much it costs.”
“Hannah,” I protest but she holds her hand up as she unlocks her phone with the other.
“Don’t make me call him. I know he gave you at least five grand, and he instructed you to call if you needed more. Now, are you gonna put the damn dress on or not?”
I narrow my eyes as I see Megan’s eyes widen out of the corner of my eye and I nod. “Fine.”
“Excellent.” She grins. “I’ll be back out with the girls then and hurry up, ‘cause I’m dying to see it on you.”
Megan watches us with a raised brow as Hannah leaves the room and I sigh. Damn, now that she knows how much money I have with me, she’s probably seeing dollar signs.
“Been friends for long?” she quips and I roll my eyes, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
“Only our entire lives.”
She nods. “It shows. Okay, so go ahead and get undressed. When you’re ready, I’ll step back in and help you into the dress.”
Stepping out of the room, she closes the door behind her and I quickly get undressed before knocking on the door to let her know I’m ready. She walks back in and grabs the dress off the rack before holding it over my head and helping me slip into it. As she adjusts it, I turn to look in the mirror and suck in a breath.
“Oh my god.”
“You just fell in love with it, didn’t you?” she asks and I nod, laying my hands on the fabric covering my belly. It’s everything I never even knew I wanted and in the blink of an eye, I can’t imagine walking down the aisle in anything else. Plus, Noah will love it.
“It’s perfect.”
She stands back and inspects it before shaking her head. “Well, it fits you like a glove so I think it’s a match made in heaven. Shall we show the others?”
“Yes, please.”
There isn’t much of a train on the dress so she opens the door for me and basically guides me out of the dressing room to where the girls are waiting.
“All right, ladies. Close your eyes,” Megan instructs. They all whisper excitedly as they close their eyes and I walk out onto the platform in front of the mirrors and turn to face them. Megan looks to me and I nod.
“Go ahead,” she calls.
“Kady,” Hannah whispers, tears welling up in her eyes as she stares up at me and I look away from her to fight off my own tears. I’ve cried enough in the past month. I don’t need to be doing it here.