Page 17 of The Forever Rule

“Yes, Blakely, I’ll talk to you soon. It was lovely to meet you in person. Especially for a wrong number.” And then he walked away, and I did my best not to watch him do so.

Oh, I was in so much trouble.

Chapter Three

BLAKELY

“I cannot believeI’m back here at your house helping you choose what to wear. I don’t think we’ve ever done that and yet here I am. Again.”

I rolled my eyes at Isabella before taking a long look in the mirror. I wore a coral pink dress that had pockets and flared a bit. I was comfortable and it was one of my favorites, but it went to my knees, and looked a little too casual.

Isabella studied me in the mirror and tilted her head. “This is more of a sundress, right?”

“Not quite a sundress, but maybe like a day dress in the spring?”

She smiled. “And on a quiet first date in high school.”

“Okay, so this dress is a no.”

I quickly stripped out of my dress, and without even offering, Isabella took it from me. She immediately hung it up, and I picked up the next one.

“Okay, this one should work.” It was a light blue chiffon sort of dress that went to my ankles, with a high slit. It had this lacy overlay that looked a little bit like tulle but really wasn’t. The one strap was thin around my neck, and the other one was thick and made a bow at the neck.

“Is that a bridesmaid’s dress?” Isabella asked.

I flushed, realizing I looked like Cinderella on a bender in this outfit.

“Yes. They make you buy these things and then say you can wear them again. But when can I wear this again? Do you see how much tulle-like fabric this has?” I asked, fluffing at the bow.

“I bet you my sister could fix it.”

“She could?” I asked, eager.

“Of course. She’s had to sew her costumes all the time. However, your gala is tonight. I don’t think she’s going to be able to rescue this in a few hours. Maybe for another event. Lord knows you go to enough of them.”

I sighed and then stripped off the dress, getting tangled in the extra bow, and was grateful when Isabella turned her face from me so I couldn’t see her laugh. “This isn’t funny. I’m panicking.”

“Don’t panic. You have plenty of time.”

I raised a brow and then looked at the clock on my bedside table. “I have three hours. Three hours to shower, figure out what I’m supposed to do with my hair, do my makeup, and make sure that I have the right shoes and bag for this. I don’t think three hours is enough.”

“Yes, because you’re such an old hag it’s going to take you forever.”

“Thank you for understanding my pleas.”

“Blakely, my best friend. You’re going to be fine. You have so many dresses in here. We’ll find you something. And I brought you a few as well.”

“And I’m grateful. But I don’t think my boobs are going to fit in it.”

“Are you calling me small-chested?” Isabella asked, in her most prim of ice queen voices.

To most people Isabella was standoffish, a little rude, and very much protective of her family. She was literally called the ice queen by people at her job, and straight to her face. They didn’t even bother to whisper the nicknames behind her back. However, my best friend reveled in it. Because it kept people at a safe distance, and they treated her with respect at work. Maybe a little fear, maybe a little reverence, but respect.

I didn’t mind that about her and found it more real and endearing than anything.

“Okay, what about this one?” I asked, picking up an A-line sage green dress.

“No. The slit’s too high and I think there’s a stain on it.”

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