Page 25 of It's Complicated

“I’ve brought some shoes,” she calls from behind the curtain.

I pull the heavy drapery aside, and her eyes widen. “Wow, you look gorgeous in that,” she says, balancing a stack of shoe boxes in her arms.

“Thank you.”

“I have three options for you.” The shop assistant drops the boxes on the floor and opens the top one. “Beaded pumps?”

I make a nah face and shake my head.

“Next, I have a pair from a few seasons ago. I only have a size eight left; what size are you?”

“Eight.”

“I thought so.” She puts away the beaded monstrosities and shifts their box to the side. Before opening the next box, she gives me a few more selling points. “These are Sergio Rossi originals and come with a hefty price tag, but since they’re the last pair and from a few seasons ago, I can give you a good discount. They’d be gorgeous with your dress. Plus, the quality is stellar, Italian leather soles, laminated hammered leather, metal inserts with the logo…”

The sales pitch is becoming old fast, but when she finally lifts the lid and uncovers the marvels underneath, I’m left speechless, and a squeal erupts from my lips.

She has brought me the most gorgeous pair of metallic silver pumps I never knew I needed. The shoes are classy and elegant, but also have a sassy kick.

“Can I try them on?”

“Sure.” She nods enthusiastically and frees the pumps from the paper padding, turning them toward me.

I slip them on, and, oh my gosh, they’re even comfortable. I wiggle my toes, satisfied.

“How much are they?”

The sales assistant gives me the exorbitant figure, and I groan a little as I say, “I’ll take them.”

Between the dress and now the shoes, I don’t know if this wedding will end up costing me more financially or emotionally.

“Fantastic,” she says. “As soon as the seamstress is finished with your friends, she’ll be right with you.”

As I wait, still admiring myself in the wide mirror, Kendall’s voice filters down from the vent on the side of the wall. “Where has our mother hen gone?”

“Shhh. Lori could be back at any moment,” Kirsten chides her sister.

“Defending her? I thought you hated her.”

Aha-ha, I knew it!

“I never said I hated her. I’ve only always been worried she was after my man.”

Inner groan,she also knew.

“But now that she’s dating Jace, I’ve nothing against Lori. I actually kind of like her.”

“That woman? She seems so uptight.”

“She’s more serious than us, that’s all.”

“I wouldn’t have pinned her down as Jace’s type.”

“And who’d be his type?” Kirsten’s voice comes off a little condescending.

Kendall doesn’t pick up on it and gives a smug reply. “Someone fun, gorgeous, and with a sense of style?”

“Are you describing yourself?”

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