Page 12 of All Dressed Up

“Fine.” Her friend was so bossy tonight. Rachel moved over to the bed and plopped down on the fluffy white comforter, resting a palm on the bed. “I’ll just finish my drink. If that’s okay with you.” She lifted her glass to her lips with her other hand.

“Good girl.” Bethany turned to Amber. “All you have to do is open it.”

Rachel sat in silence. From experience, she knew the trunk would producesomething.

Amber didn’t hesitate to pull up the hope chest’s brass handle and peer in. “Oh my God!” She glanced over her shoulder at Rachel. “You were right. There’s a dress in here. Is this for real?”

“Pull it out!” Bethany ordered. “Let’s see.”

Heart pounding, Rachel jumped off the bed. She didn’t know this woman, but she couldn’t help but be excited for Amber—and maybe herself, too, if a second dress appeared.

Amber unfolded the gorgeous, satin dress. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“Let’s see it over here.” Bethany motioned for Amber to stand in front of the full-length mirror.

Standing in front of the mirror, Amber held up the pristine white satin dress and let the material fall to the floor. “It’s my perfect length.” She continued to stare at her reflection. “I’ve never seen a back like this.”

“It’s a mermaid dress. Very glamour Hollywood,” Bethany said.

That it was. Rachel came over and bent down, touching the grand bow at the back of the dress. “It’s just gorgeous,” she said. They all admired the material for a few more minutes.

“I can’t believe this is mine,” Amber said, smiling at her reflection, catching Rachel’s eye. “Is it really mine?” she asked, her voice full of hope.

Rachel gave her a warm smile and patted her shoulder. “It’s yours, bow and all. Now all you need to do is meet your date.”

“My date! Oh my God. He’s probably waiting for me at the bar. I should go.” She folded the dress over her arm and moved toward the door.

“Wait! Here, let me have that. You don’t want to scare him off.” Rachel took the dress from Amber. “You can pick it up at Buttermilk Blooms anytime. That’s my flower shop. I’m open Monday thru Saturday.”

“Thank you both.” Amber grinned from ear-to-ear. “I guess it’s time to meet my groom.”

“Have a good time.” Rachel was genuinely excited for Amber. Here she was about to meet the man that, if Mary had anything to say on the matter, could very well be the yoga instructor’s soul mate. “By the way, who is your blind date?” she asked.

Amber smiled widely. “Will Jenkins.”

*

“Are you f’ing kidding me?” Rachel craned her neck out the window she’d opened moments ago in the direction of the tiki bar. As hard as she tried, she was too short to see the dock.

Dammit. She spun around. She’d need her best friend’s assistance for this mission. “Come here and hold on to my legs so I can lean farther out.”

She pressed her stomach into the window ledge. Minutes ago, her life turned upside down. Way upside down. Now she needed to hang out a window and see for herself that Will was on a date with the pretty yoga instructor.

Bethany’s arms around her middle stopped Rachel from leaning out any farther. She yanked Rachel in. “I am not going to let you do this. You could fall out and hurt yourself.”

Rachel sighed out her unbearable frustration and flopped onto the bed, staring up at the white ceiling. Yeah, ending up splattered below probably wasn’t the best way to end the night.

How could this be happening? “I cannot believe Will’s having drinks with that woman,” she said out loud.

“It’s only a first date,” Bethany said. “Nothing is going to happen.”

She continued to stare, lost in her own miserable thoughts. Will was out with a beautiful lady. Of course, something could happen. How did they even know each other? Amber was new to town, and it wasn’t like Will liked wine or practiced yoga. He was more of a cold beer and lifting heavy weights kind of guy.

Placing her hands on each side, she hoisted herself up onto her elbows. “This is your fault,” she cast her accusation over to Bethany.

“My fault,” Bethany repeated. “I didn’t set them up. I don’t even know her.”

“No, but you and your oh-so-brilliant idea for a control group. We just had to have someone else open the trunk.” She reached for the wedding dress she’d tossed onto the bed earlier, holding it up. “I practically gave her Will.”

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