Page 54 of Always a Bridesmaid
“Is that a walk of shame wedding dress?” Ford asked. “Looks like you took off with Tucker’s sheets but added a sparkly”—he gestured to the side, where a beaded floral applique held up the skirt—“thingamabob old ladies wear to church.”
“Ford,” Lexi scolded, which saved Violet from doing so. Perhaps she should provide guidance on helpful feedback versus not-helpful comments.
Addie kicked aside the heels that’d been on the pedestal and took their place. “Broach is the word you’re looking for. And you’re not wrong. It’s basically a fancy toga.”
A gasp escaped the poor consultant, along with the designer’s name. While Violet never would’ve made the toga comparison, now she couldn’t unsee it.
The next gown consisted of a tight, strapless bodice covered in floral lace and flared to a gauzy skirt. Even if Lexi’s face hadn’t lit up, Violet would’ve guessed she picked it out. It would’ve been a nice fit for the blonde, but Violet didn’t think it was Addie’s style, regardless of not having a dressy style in general.
“It’s beautiful,” Lexi said.
Addie hooked her thumbs in the top and hiked it up, but then the waist didn’t sit right. “It’s too fancy for me. All the flowers, and I”—she repeated the bodice-lifting move—“feel like it’s gonna fall. And since I can read your mind, Lex, no, your bridesmaid dress didn’t fall off me and had a similar top, but this one is lower-cut and squeezes the girls harder than Tucker does.”
Snickers went around the room, save for the consultant, who seemed to be experiencing a bit of shock.
“I want to be comfortable sitting there in front of the town and most of the Auburn coaching staff.” Addie twisted the end of her ponytail around her finger. “Is a comfortable wedding dress even a thing?”
Violet stood and circled Addie, studying the dress from every angle. “Would you settle for semi-comfortable? We might even be able to hit mostly comfortable, although you’ll still need help to pee.”
“Lexi, I’ll let you handle those duties,” Ford said, and even the consultant smiled at that joke.
The next gown fit Addie like a glove. Also strapless; however, it landed snuggly at her arm pits and covered more cleavage. It nipped in at the waist, showing off Addie’s figure.
Ford cocked his head. “Did they forget to iron it? Why’s it so wrinkly?”
“It’s ruched.” Lexi fluffed the billowing silk skirt and let it drop, demonstrating how wide it flared.
Addie lifted the fabric to study it closer, displaying the fact that she still had on her yoga pants. “So, it’s the shar-pei of the dress world?”
Lexi sighed. “Seriously, you guys?”
Ford and Addie exchanged a glance, and then Ford said, “Next.”
They had that silent conversation thing down pat, and while it caused a pinch of jealousy, Violet’s admiration for their friendship overpowered it. She also appreciated that Ford would hop in and be the so-called bad guy when Addie didn’t want to hurt Lexi’s feelings.
To a certain extent, she had that kind of relationship with the Bridesmaid Crew—especially Leah and Amanda.
Even better, she and Maisy were getting there as well. They’d spent several evenings talking and laughing, and this afternoon, as Violet had been finishing up at the bakery, Maisy had asked, “Would you like me to wish you luck on resisting Ford? Or do you want me to encourage you to go for it?”
Violet had laughed and picked the first one.
With Ford’s thigh resting against hers, her resolve cried for help. She considered ignoring it and surrendering to the urge to rest her head on his shoulder.
Then Addie stepped out in a mermaid gown.
While Violet was happy to lend her expertise, she had her limits, so she’d steered clear of that particular style. Addie hadn’t mentioned liking them, anyway.
But that dress… Violet was tempted to slap a hand over Ford’s mouth before he said anything stupid, because Addie looked stunning. The fabric might be busier than the bride-to-be would’ve chosen herself, but the gown highlighted every one of her assets.
If you don’t stop holding your breath, you’re going to pass out.
Addie stepped onto the pedestal and spun, showing off the ruffles that began mid-thigh and cascaded into a court train.
Lexi once again beamed, and Violet couldn’t fault her for picking the dress. It was so close to the triple-starred dresses in her binder. In fact, she suspected it was from the same designer she’d followed for the past five years. She’d almost put a similar dress on hold last year, back when she still believed Benjamin’s someday promises.
“Damn, Murph. Who knew you had an ass like that? From a guy’s perspective, I approve. Shows off your figure, and I’ve always been an ass man.”
A light blush pinkened Addie’s cheeks before she pivoted to face the mirror.
