Page 55 of Always a Bridesmaid
Why did it sting that Ford approved of the dress Violet would’ve picked for herself?
Being in the bridal shop was messing with her head, fuzzying up her thoughts, and she hated that she couldn’t just be happy for Addie.
And she truly was. Byjust be happy, Violet more meant why did complicated emotions like agony and mourning come along for the ride?
It prompted thoughts of what else she’d lost. A future involving vows and babies and the knowledge that, in spite of her faults, someone loved her for her.
Someonechoseher.
A fissure formed in her heart, as if proving there’d always be a piece missing, and she had to blink triple time to stick to her no-crying decree.
“I do think it’s beautiful,” Addie said. “But I look in the mirror and see…not me. It’s like peering at a stranger with my face, and I’m not sure what that means.”
Lexi circled her, cell phone out and snapping pictures. “You don’t have to decide right now. Keep it in mind as you try on the rest, and I’ll have these photos to help us compare.”
The following two gowns were a no go, and then Addie came out in a halter-top dress that made Ford say, “Whoa, Sarah Connor. That one shows how ripped your arms are.”
“Does it give off the impression that I’m going to be the one carrying Tucker down the aisle, though?”
They all swore it didn’t, and after debating over how lacy the bodice was, she added it to the maybe pile.
Finally, Addie came out with Violet’s number-one pick.
The tiniest bit of vertical ruching made up the pure white top. The dress flared around the upper thigh and ended in a puffed skirt that landed at calf height.
Violet wrung her hands, awaiting Ford and Addie’s jokes about grabbing the iron again.
Instead, Lexi sucked in a breath and Ford sat forward.
Addie stepped onto the pedestal and grinned at her reflection. Then she turned to face them and ran her hands down the skirt. “Well?”
During the many times Violet had been involved in this part of the process, there was just something different that happened when a bride-to-be put on the right dress. The air changed, as if it and everyone involved had been enchanted, and most of the commentary went silent, when you’d think it’d be the opposite.
“I’m gonna have to kick my own ass later for saying this, butthat’s the one.You look…” Ford’s forehead creased as if he were searching the contents of his brain for the right word. “Like you, but pretty.”
Violet pinched his arm and widened her eyes at him. His statement about it being the one had caused a fluttery, tingly rush, but then he’d added that last part.
“Not that you’re not normally pretty. I just mean… Hell, I said it was the one. What more do you want?”
Addie laughed. “I get you. That’s how I feel. It’s like an upgraded, fancier version of me.”
“And I had this idea that you can take or leave…” Violet kicked off her scuffed purple Vans and placed them at Addie’s feet. “You could order yellow Chucks to match your colors. It’d also be super cute if your fiancé and the rest of the wedding party wore them, too. I’ve shot photos where people did that, and it’s insanely cute.”
Addie stepped into the Vans, remarking they were the same shoe size. Her grin stretched to a whole new level of joy as she studied her reflection. A euphoric haze filled the room and swelled inside of Violet, and she reached for her camera out of habit before remembering yet again that she no longer carried it everywhere.
Lexi already had her phone out, taking pictures, which would suffice.
After Addie returned to the fitting room to change into her regular clothes, Ford stood. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta take a leak.”
Violet began tidying up the dresses that’d been set aside. She paused on the mermaid-style one. Her heart knotted as she traced the intricate design on the bodice, the longing she’d claimed to be rid of rushing forward to out her.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help,” Lexi said to Violet once the consultant left to ring up Addie’s dress.
“Even though I told her she can wear Converse sneakers?”
“I forced her into heels for my wedding and still haven’t heard the end of it, so that’s a spot of genius. It fits her. You managed to pinpoint her style in a handful of minutes, which made me realize I’ve been asking all the wrong questions, thus the nonanswers.”
“I’ve done this seven times. I’m kinda an expert.”
