Page 81 of The Story of Us
But this time, there was a softness that he hadn’t been able to share before. A confidence that stemmed from no longer seeing being vulnerable as a terrible thing. And the more he wrote, the easier it was.
“What about the revisions for the last SMK book?”
This he could answer. A grin stretched across his face. He’d finished his final edit yesterday.
“I’m just about to send them to Garrett and my editor.”
He loved how Eloise automatically edged closer, wanting to be a part of such an important moment for him. She perched on the edge of the old woodworking desk his laptop was sitting on, crossing one long, slender leg over the top of the other. Nate kept one eye on where the skirt of her jumper dress had ridden up while he quickly attached the file his agent was waiting for. A few clicks later, he was done. There was more work to be done, of course, but for now? One chapter of his life was ending. Wrapping his arms around Eloise’s waist, Nate buried his head in her side. Closed his eyes. There hadn’t been a lot of sleeping going on lately, and it wasn’t because of the reason the Old Girls would’ve assumed.
“Fancy going to a dance lesson later to celebrate?” Eloise dragged her fingers through his hair, and he groaned for several reasons. One: he wanted to pull her into his bedroom and spend the day wringing every ounce of pleasure out of her body and two: fuck, he hated the dance classes.
“Last one before the wedding,” she murmured.
It was hard to believe Charlie and Sera were finally, finally getting married at the end of the week. A bitter taste lingered in Nate’s mouth remembering the way Charlie had teased him at the party last night. Ryan’s behaviour had been worse, but it was like the closer Charlie got to the world Nate had left behind, the chasm between them grew.
“What have you got on today?” he asked without moving, wanting to stay right here in this moment forever.
“I’m going into Melbourne to pick up the bridesmaid dresses and grab a few things for my exchange. Depending on timings, I’ll probably head straight to the dance lesson after that.”
It was like having a bucket of cold water thrown all over him. Nate closed his eyes, pushing away the wave of feelings that came with knowing every day was a step closer to her departure.
“Want some company?” he mumbled.
“Yeah?” Eloise tilted his head so their eyes locked together. It was foolish to pretend he wasn’t going to spend all his time with her before she left. “I’d love some.”
* * *
If there was evera tulle shortage in the world, Nate knew which shop was to blame.
Even if he’d only just found out what tulle was. Rows of wedding dresses lined the edges of the room, two plush couches in the middle, with candles—some of Alice’s brand, actually, he’d have to tell her—flickering atop a marble coffee table in between them.
He walked around the room slowly, hands tucked in his pockets, while Eloise explained which dresses she needed to collect. On the drive in, her phone had vibrated constantly. Something about Sera changing her mind about which shoes the bridesmaids would be wearing at the last minute.
His ears pricked up at the panic in her voice. “Oh no. I don’t need to do that.”
She looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes wide. Several long white garment bags were lying across the counter with a pile of shoe boxes next to them. It was a good thing they’d brought his car. All of this wouldn’t have fit in Eloise’s.
“It’s best to check the length with the new shoes,” the shop assistant said. The lady lifted the bag and gestured for Eloise to follow her. With a heavy sigh and a twist to the end of her plait, Eloise did.
“I won’t be long,” she said to Nate.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, needing to check his emails anyway. Garrett should’ve sent a confirmation through for the manuscript. A group of women entered the store, chatting excitedly and making a beeline for the two couches. Tossing a cursory glance around the boutique again, Nate located a leather armchair in the back corner near the fitting rooms. Perfect.
He was scrolling through his phone when he heard Eloise’s voice. “I really think it’s fine,” she was saying.
“Up, please,” another woman said. Nate leant forward, his chair positioned so he could see the raised platform in front of several mirrors. Eloise shuffled into view, a figure-hugging dress clinging to all her curves. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head, highlighting the slender line of her neck, her collarbone. Places Nate had traced with his lips, his hands.
As she twisted, the colour of the dress changed. In some lights it was cream, but then Eloise would turn, and Nate would swear it was a pale pink. Regardless of whatever light trickery was going on, add a veil and a bouquet, and she was a bride.
Fuck, she was gorgeous.
Nate forgot to breathe when the sales assistant crouched in front of Eloise, helping her into a pair of satiny high heels.
“Take a step for me,” the lady said, and Eloise did. “Now spin.”
The back view was even better than the front. Eloise’s ass looked incredible. High and tight, a perfect curve that Nate longed to sink his teeth into, hold on to while he thrust inside her … on their wedding night. Shit. Where had that come from? He’d known from the start that this was a limited-time thing. Seeing her like this was bittersweet. It was a perfect glimpse into the future she deserved, even if he thought she’d choose a different gown. One that wasn’t so structured and formal but more whimsical, with ethereal touches and textures.
“Gorgeous, isn’t she?” A different sales lady asked him, appearing out of nowhere.
