Page 87 of Taming the Beasts
“Could you zip me?” she called from the other side of the curtain.
I pushed it aside and zipped the back of her dress. I adjusted the big bow.
“It’s a perfect fit,” she said and turned around.
“Emma.” It was like the dress was made for her body. “You look amazing.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Come look in the mirrors out here.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the changing room.
She stopped in front of the closest mirror. “I didn’t expect to love it this much.”
“It was made for you.”
She shook her head. “I really need something longer though. It’s fall. It’s not practical.”
“Wedding dresses aren’t supposed to be practical. But if you want it longer, luckily the owner said she has some sewing skills.”
“You think she could make it longer?”
“Maybe. But hold that thought.” I hurried over to a shoe display and found a pair of blood red stilettos. “Before you add a bunch of layers. You gotta try these on with it.”
She laughed, but let me help her into the high heels.
I whistled as she stood back up. “You’re the hottest bride I’ve ever seen.”
She was smiling so hard.
The owner came back out with a stack of red dresses in her arms. “Oh, that looks lovely on you.”
“Do you really think so?” Emma asked.
She nodded.
“Do you think you could somehow make it floor-length?”
“Oh. Um.” She stared at it for a while but then slowly shook her head. “I wouldn’t know how without there being an awful seam. Hm.” She tilted her head to the side as she kept studying the dress.
Emma stared at her reflection in the mirror. “Oh.” She cleared her throat. “I should try one of the longer ones then.”
I could hear the disappointment in her voice. I stepped up beside her and grabbed her hand. “Emma, if you like this dress you should get it.”
“It’s too revealing.”
It really wasn’t. “Well, maybe we could do something else to help make it more modest? What about a really long veil?”
“I have an idea,” the owner finally said. “I could add some length to the bottom of the bow. Maybe make it more of a train? Could that work?”
That was such a good idea! “That would be so beautiful as you walk down the aisle.”
Emma’s frown slowly morphed into a smile. “That would look really amazing, right? With it trailing behind me?”
The owner and I both nodded enthusiastically.
“I really didn’t expect to love anything this much,” Emma said. “It feels very...me.”
It was very her. Form fitting but still somehow modest. And so unique. “We need a picture of this. Where is your camera?”
