Page 95 of Staying Selfless

“What is wrong with me, Logan? I see the relationship you and Maddison have, but for some reason, I’m fucked up and don’t want to be in one again.”

Her words hit me as Ali answers the question she’s been asking herself. “You don’t want to be in one,” I state, repeating her answer. “Again?”

Ali drops in her head, ignoring my question. “I don’t know what I want. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just let myself be happy?”

I scoot over on the couch, still wearing this lavender dress, wrapping my arms around my little New Yorker.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you, Al.” I hold her in my hug. “You’re just confused, and that’s okay. You should give yourself some grace.” She pulls away to look at me, exhaustion on her face. “But please just try not to lead Marc on until you decide what you want to do.”

She nods her head, giving me a half-smile.

“Let’s make some less important decisions today. Show me your dress,” I request, motioning towards Ali’s little black number.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What we’re wearing this weekend is the most important decision we could make today,” she adds, wiping away the serious tone of our conversation.

Ali stands in front of three mirrors, giving herself an almost 360-degree view of the sexy black dress she’s sporting.

“What do you think?” She tilts her head, checking herself out.

“I think you look super hot in that.”

“But you don’t think I should wear black to a wedding.”

“I mean, I would save black for a funeral, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear it to a wedding. If you feel good in it, you should rock it.”

“Well, there might be a funeral this weekend.” Ali turns around to face me. “Death to my single life,” she adds, causing me to laugh per usual. “Regardless of the color, I think this is too sexy for a family wedding.”

Ali takes a seat on the couch, indicating my turn in front of the mirror.

“What do you think?” she asks as she watches me check myself out through the reflection.

“I think it’s pretty.” I smooth my hands over the lavender lace. “It’s sweet.”

“Exactly. You’re already the sweetest human I know—no need to wear it. And you clearly don’t love it. So next.” Ali stands from the couch and heads back to the fitting room to try on her next pick.

Once again, when I walk into the fitting room, my eyes fall on the emerald number, but I reach for the sky-blue one instead. This dress has the same sweet and innocent vibe as the last. I slip it on and run my hands over the airy chiffon. It hits just under the bust, but besides that, it flows away from my body, not showing any of my shape.

I open my fitting room door at the exact time Ali comes out, wearing the stunning blush dress.

“Absolutely not,” Ali says, eyeing the blue option I’m wearing.

I can’t help but laugh at her honestly, knowing I already came to that conclusion.

“Put the green dress on, Logan.”

“Ali, you look so pretty.” My eyes soften as I look at my friend.

“Really?” I follow her to the mirrors in the main waiting room.

Ali stands in front of her reflection, examining herself. Even though she won’t let it fully come out, I can see the smile tugging on her lips from here.

She runs her hands over the structured blush fabric as she turns in different directions. This dress has long sleeves, but the hem is short enough she’s still showing a little skin. It’s soft and feminine, vastly contradictory to Ali’s typical attire, but she looks absolutely stunning.

“I think that’s the one,” I tell her as I watch her admire herself.

“I do too.” Ali’s cheeks turn the same color as her dress.

She pulls her attention away from herself, looking back at me through the reflection in the mirror. “Seriously, Logan, go take that blue thing off. It’s doing nothing for your body.”

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