“I want to spoil you.”
“You do. Do you need anything while I’m out today?”
“Not that I can think of. You should take my card in case you see anything you want for the house.”
“I have money,” I say yet again, wrapping my arms around his waist in a hug. A horn blares outside, which tells me Sawyer is here. “I’ll be back later. Have fun with Royce and your dad.” After a kiss that could be considered anything but quick, which is interrupted by Sawyer’s honking, I’m out the door for another day of shopping.
A couple of weeks ago, Sawyer asked me to go with her, and of course, I said yes. We had a great time and even met Sam and baby Aria for lunch. I assume we’re doing the same today. Either way, I’m sure it will be a fun time. Girls’ days are new for me. I could never afford it before, and really Linda was my only female companion, and one or both of us was usually working.
“So, are we looking for anything particular?” I ask, putting on my seat belt as she pulls out of the driveway.
“What? Do we need an excuse to go shopping?” She chuckles.
“Not at all, just wasn’t sure if we had an agenda.”
“Nothing certain. I’d like to stop at the wedding store across town and look at dresses. Not trying anything on today, but I want to see what’s out there. Maybe they have a book or something that I can look through.”
“Eep! Yes, I am so excited for you and Royce. A winter wedding at the lake is going to be so romantic.”
“What about you? Are there wedding bells in your future?” she asks.
“We haven’t talked about it specifically. He says things like when we fill up the bedrooms with kids and changing my name and stuff, but that’s about it.”
“So, Owen drops to one knee, what’s your answer?”
“Hell, yes,” I say, and we both laugh.
“That’s what I thought.”
“It’s crazy. It’s so soon, but I’ve never felt like this. I love that man with all that I am.”
“You’re good for him. He’s more open and spends less time working and by himself. They say when you find the right person, you just know. I knew with Royce. Sure, I didn’t know if he was there, but I was certain of my love for him. Look at us now.”
“Getting married.”
“Getting married,” she echoes. “And my man isn’t near as broody now that we’ve set a wedding date.” She chuckles.
The rest of the drive we talk about ideas for the wedding. It’s going to be freezing cold that time of year, and Sawyer wants the service to be short and sweet, considering it’s outside. “Let’s go to the dress shop first,” I suggest. “All this talk about dresses and wraps has me itching to see what you pick.”
“I’m just looking,” she reminds me.
“You say that but what if you find the dress? We have to buy it.”
“Most brides look for months before they find their dream dress for their weddings.”
“Maybe, but I’m feeling lucky.” She throws her head back in laughter as she parks her SUV outside the dress shop. “Let’s do this,” I say, reaching for the door handle.
“Layla,” Sawyer breathes my name. Reaching out, she grabs my arm and stops me. “There are so many.”
She’s right. This bridal shop is huge, and there are rows and rows of dresses. “I’m thinking we’re going to need some help.”
“What can I help you find today?” an older lady asks as she approaches us.
Sawyer just stands there in awe of our surroundings. “Hi, I’m Layla, and this is Sawyer, the bride. She’s having a winter wedding, so we would need something long-sleeved, and thicker, I’m guessing.”
“Of course, it’s nice to meet both of you. My name is Mary. Sawyer, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Sawyer says, finding her voice.
“Now, are we having an indoor or outdoor wedding?”
“Outdoor. Just for a quick ceremony. Then I’m hoping we can rent tents and heaters for the reception.”
“Perfect. Right this way.” She leads us to the back of the building where we see a sign indicating Winter/Outdoor.
“Wow, you’re really organized,” Sawyer says.
“We have to be,” Mary replies. “With a building this size and over five thousand dresses to choose from, we need all the organization we can get. Now, tell me what you’re thinking.”
We spend the next ten minutes or so telling Mary all of the elements that Sawyer and I discussed on the way here. Mary leads us to a private dressing room and excuses herself to bring us a few options.
“I should FaceTime Hadley. She’s going to be pissed that she missed this.”
“Hey, it’s not your fault she’s on vacation.”
“Right? We’ll have to remind her of that.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and initiates a video call with her best friend. “Hey, Had.” She turns the phone so that I can wave. “This is Layla, Owen’s girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you. What are the two of you getting into?” Hadley asks.
“Well, I’m at a bridal store, dress shopping.”
“No way! Layla, how did you get her to do that?” Hadley asks.
“It was her idea. I’m just moral support,” I manage to answer, still reeling by being referred to as Owen’s girlfriend. I love the sound of it.
Hadley’s laughter fills the air. “Sawyer, give Layla your phone. I’m settling in for this.”
“I know you’re on vacation. I just wanted you to know.”
“We’re lying on the beach. Derek is sleeping next to me.” She pans the phone so we can see a tanned Derek sleeping on a towel under the umbrella next to her. “I was too engrossed in this book to fall asleep,” she says, closing her Kindle and tossing it into her bag. “This… the two of you have my full attention.”
“Here you are,” Mary says as she enters the room, pushing a rolling cart with several dresses hanging. “Sawyer, have a look and let me know what you’re thinking.”
Grabbing her phone, I point it so Hadley can see what’s going on. Sawyer walks up to the cart and begins to sift through the dresses. When her eyes light up, Hadley squeals, and I know she’s found the one. You don’t get that look for just any dress.
“Try it on,” Hadley and I say at the same time.
Sawyer looks over at me, and I nod. I watch as she carefully takes the dress from the cart and disappears behind the changing curtain.
“Layla?” I turn the phone so I’m now facing the screen. “You can’t let her back out. She’s going to look gorgeous, and she’s going to try and talk herself out of it. Don’t let her. I’m not there to kick her in the ass.”
“I’m all over it.” I chuckle.
“She’s going to say it’s too much, but we both know Royce will have other ideas about that.”
“For sure. If she balks, I’ll call him.”
“Perfect,” Hadley says just as Sawyer calls out that she’s ready.
I turn the phone back around, and when she appears, Hadley and I both gasp and tell her that she looks beautiful. She does. The dress has a fitting bodice that flares at the hips, long-sleeved, and a white faux fur shawl wrapped around her shoulders. It’s perfect, and she looks like a winter angel.