Page 5 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
Ofthe five siblings, Bridget and I look the most alike with the washed-out coloring we inherited from dad. She is shorter than me, but just as curvy, and the dress pulls in the same place on her as it does on me. We share a look that says neither of us like the dress before we turn our attention to a gushing Ines, who only has eyes for her best friend, a willowy figure with skin a few shades darker than ours and chestnut-colored hair. The sage green looks spectacular on her.
Mom sits next to Ines with a curled lip as she examines Bridget and me. “That style doesn’t suit your sisters’ figures, Ines, dear.”
Ines finally looks at us and her face falls. “No, it doesn’t.”
The attendant reminds everyone that the dresses will be made to fit like a glove, and I snort as I turn back to my dressing room. “I think she’s saying we have big hips, Bridge.”
“You think?” Bridget and I grin at each other.
Kyla hands us our next dress, and I disappear into the room again to slip it on. This one is very low cut, exposing the strapless bra I’m wearing. The back is low too. I feel naked and hate it immediately. The hip area has a more generous cut, so the material doesn’t pull, but it has a mermaid hem that is not flattering on a hippy girl. The blush color is a couple shades darker, so doesn’t wash out, but still isn’t flattering.
Bridget calls, “Ready?”
Gayle and I agree, and we step out. Again, Gayle’s tall, thin figure looks spectacular in the dress, and Ines is immediately captivated by her while Mom arches an eyebrow at Bridget and me. Ines sighs when she sees us, and we disappear into the room to try on the third option.
As I dress, I hear Kyla assuring Ines that they have many more dresses she can bring for us to try if this one doesn’t work. As soon as the dress falls into place, I know it’s the one. The blush color is a shade pinker than the other dresses and compliments my super white skin. It’s a strapless dress with asweetheart bodice wrapped in organza, and the skirt flows to the ground from just under the breasts. It reminds me of something a Greek Goddess would wear. I spin and turn and look at the dress from all angles. It’s lovely.
Gayle calls, “Ready?” I think I hear excitement in her voice.
We step out and Ines and Mom exclaim at the same time. Mom is grinning and nodding. Ines has a hand clapped over her mouth and her eyes are shimmering with tears as she tries to take us all in at once.
“Turn around,” Mom commands.
The three of us spin, sharing excited smiles with one another.
“That’s the dress!” Ines calls. “That is perfect on all of you.”
Mom is still grinning. “Do you girls like it?”
The three of us chorus our acceptance at once and Kyla calls over two more employees to get our measurements. We must put a rush on the order because Ines and Lincoln decided to get married so fast. I wonder if that’s why we have so many people helping us, or if that’s normal in a bridal shop. Mom is going to be spending a lot of money, so my guess is that has something to do with the excellent service.
When we are finally done, I change back into my street clothes and take a seat on the other side of Mom from Ines. As Bridget and Gayle finish, Kyla and another attendant walk up with two wedding gowns. Kyla puts the gown she’s carrying directly into the dressing room and the other girl hangs the second one outside the room.
Ines leaps from her seat and disappears into the dressing room. It’s the most excited I think I’ve ever seen her. Her face glows with anticipation. Happiness transforms her, making her look her age instead of like an uptight thirty-something. Ittakes her a while to get dressed, but when she comes out, my breath hitches.
My sister is a bride!
It’s a simple dress with spaghetti straps and a v-neckline. The white satin skims her curves—not as pronounced as Bridget’s and mine—and the hem floats just over the floor. Now I see why Ines took extra care with her hair and makeup today. She’s stunning.
“I don’t like it,” she says. “Too simple.”
“Agreed.” Mom sips her champagne.
I slam my mouth shut. But Bridget leans over and whispers, “I think it’s lovely.”
I nod and shrug. We both know there is no changing Ines’s mind, so why bother sharing our opinion?
The next dress is the exact opposite of simple. It’s an hourglass figure with a lot of lace and cutouts and it’s far too busy for Ines to carry off. Thank goodness she agrees. The attendants bring more dresses while Ines changes. The third is a beautiful ball gown with a wide bell skirt. It has long lace sleeves and a crew neck, that doesn’t suit Ines.
Mom considers Ines and says to Kayla, “Let’s try a ball gown with the same strapless, sweetheart neckline as the bridesmaid dresses.”
The attendant nods and scurries away.
Luckily, Ines didn’t hear Mom giving instructions, or she might hate the dress on principle. The attendant is back in a flash with the dress and puts it into the room immediately, by-passing the four hanging outside the room. Ines shrugs at her reflection. “I like it, but something isn’t right.”
Mom smiles and nods. “Yes, something is off.”
When Ines disappears into the room to try the next dress, I wrap my hand around Mom’s and lean my head on her shoulder. I’m so proud of her for not being the know-it-all, even though she is, totally, a know-it-all. She kisses the top of myhead, and we sit like that until Ines comes out of the room with a huge grin on her face and tears in her eyes.
