Page 81 of Crazy for You

“Thanks for coming with me.”

“I’m so glad you invited me.” She and Gabby hadn’t known each other very long, not even a year, but they’d become really close.

“This is everything,” Eliana said as she hung up the last of the dresses they’d picked out for Gabby to try on. “I’ll be just outside if you need any assistance. The sample sizes will be too big for you, but I can pin them to give you a better idea of how the dress would look in your size.”

“Thanks,” Gabby said with a smile.

Eliana left, closing the door behind her.

Gabby gestured to the rack of dresses. “Where do I start?”

“Let’s start big.” Emma reached for the Cinderella-style ball gown she’d insisted Gabby try—just for the fun of it since they both knew it wasn’t Gabby’s style. “Try this one on for fun, and then we’ll get down to business.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Gabby stripped to her underwear, and Emma held the poufy gown open so that she could step into it. It was strapless, white satin with intricate beading across the bust and a ridiculously full skirt. She zipped it, then grabbed one of the pins Eliana had left behind to clamp the extra fabric so it didn’t fall down.

“Wow.” Emma grinned widely as she caught Gabby’s reflection in the mirror. “You look like a princess.”

“Like I’ve just stepped out of a Disney movie,” Gabby agreed, her eyes glossy. She ran her hands over the front of the skirt, then twirled in front of the mirror. “I never would have picked it, and I’m not going to walk down the aisle in it, but just seeing it on me is like something out of a fantasy.”

“Let me get a picture.” Emma grabbed her cell phone and snapped a few shots of Gabby showing off her best princess pose.

After that, Gabby tried on dress after dress. If they deemed it a contender, they’d leave the dressing room and let Eliana pin it properly so that Gabby could preen in front of the big mirrors outside. Emma got teary several times watching her friend try on dresses.

They made it through the first rack with a handful of contenders but none either of them felt sure was “the one.” Emma couldn’t stop admiring one of the dresses she’d picked out for Gabby. It had little pink flowers made of rhinestones sewn together with beads across the bodice and a simple, flowing white chiffon skirt.

“It’s beautiful,” Gabby commented as she stepped out of the dress she’d just tried on. “But it’s not me. It’s you.”

“What?” Emma yanked her hand back from the dress.

“You should try it on.”

“But I’m not getting married.” Emma reached instead for the next dress on the rack, an off-white gown with a delicate lace bodice, cap sleeves, and a long, flowing skirt edged in lace.

“Yet.” Gabby winked as she slipped into the dress. “Because you and Ryan…oh.” Gabby looked in the mirror, and her eyes welled with tears.

“This is it,” Emma said breathlessly, pressing a hand to her chest. “This is the one.”

“Yes.” Gabby stared at her reflection as Emma zipped her up. The sample gown was a few sizes too big, but the lace added a classic yet feminine touch that was so Gabby, and the long, flowing skirt was reminiscent of the bohemian skirts she wore almost daily.

“Let’s go show Eliana,” Emma said, lifting the lacy train to follow Gabby out of the fitting room.

Emma and Eliana helped Gabby up onto the little pedestal in front of the bank of mirrors so that she could see herself from every angle. The dress looked even more perfect out here. The creamy color complemented Gabby’s pale complexion and caramel brown hair, and the cap sleeves and lace accents suited her style perfectly.

“This one,” Gabby said, twirling in front of the mirrors. “It’s perfect.”

“Oh, I agree,” Eliana said, bustling behind Gabby to spread her train out and show the dress in its best form. “It’s absolutely stunning on you.”

“It’s you, Gabby. I don’t think you’ll find anything more perfect if you tried on a hundred more dresses,” Emma said, feeling a lump in her throat to see her friend in her wedding dress.

Gabby preened in front of the mirrors for a few more minutes before making her decision final. Eliana moved in to take measurements and then there was a ton of paperwork to make it all official. Gabby’s dress would arrive in four months, just in time to get it ready for her October wedding.

When everything had been taken care of, Emma and Gabby retreated to the fitting room.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m glad I booked us at the spa this afternoon. This was exhausting,” Gabby said.

“Yes.” Emma stepped behind her to unzip the dress. “But worth it. I’m so happy for you. This dress is perfect.”

“It really is.” Gabby ran a hand over the lace bodice. She stepped out of the dress, and Emma hung it back up while Gabby got dressed. “There’s one more dress to be tried on before we leave, though.”

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