Page 49 of The Secrets We Keep

“Miss me?” Jessy asks as she struts in interrupting our moment. She’s holding my gown in her arms. She went and had the dress steamed one more time to ensure no wrinkles would be visible.

“Sarah let’s get our dresses on and then help Evie,” Jessy calls as she sets my gown neatly across the bed. The girls grab their dresses and head into the bathroom. I take this quiet time to send Landon a text.

I love you. Can’t wait to marry you.

He replies back right away.

I love you too. Meet you at the altar.

I smile as I put my phone away. How did I get so lucky? The girls reappear in their dresses and I can’t help but admire how lovely they look.

“You guys! They are perfect!” I gush looking between Jessy and Sarah.

I chose lavender, off the shoulder, tea length gowns for them. They’re made of tulle, simple and elegant.

“We look hot don’t we?” Jessy says as she spins in front of the mirror before going on, “Zander is going to go nuts when he sees you Sarah.”

Sarah and I laugh. Her and Zander became a thing sometime after my birthday party. They have been dating for a short while. He knows all about Chet and has been a complete gentleman to my sister. I may or may not have warned him to behave, but Sarah doesn’t need to know all that.

“My turn!” I clap.

I’ll be wearing a white strapless mermaid style gown. There’s beaded flower work throughout the gown. I paired it with a simple choker that has one pear-shaped rhinestone. It came with matching studs.

Stepping into the dress I feel like a princess.

“My God Evie, you look exquisite,” Jessy whispers.

“Absolutely breathtaking,” Sarah replies.

I stand there stunned into silence. I have no words. I mean trying on the dress at the bridal shop was one thing, but having my hair and makeup done is an entirely different view point.

There’s a knock at the door. Jessy runs to see who it is while Sarah captures a photo of me looking in the mirror.

“It’s Mary, can she come in?” Jessy calls out. She’s been on crazy bridesmaid patrol. Making sure no one comes in that I do not want to see. She wants my day to be perfect.

“Yes, of course, please let her in.”

Mary has become like a mom to Sarah and I over the last year. She’s helped with planning the wedding too. That’s more than I can say about our mother, but I’ll save that for another day. Sam, my boss and Mary’s husband will be walking me down the aisle.

“Oh dear, you look beautiful,” Mary says while grabbing my hands.

“Thank you.” I go to pull her in for a hug but she shoos me away.

“No, no… we don’t want any wrinkles on the dress.”

I continue to pull her in and embrace her. When we finally part I see nothing but love in her eyes.

“Everything is ready to go. Sam should be here shortly. He wanted to talk to Landon first.”

Mary gives me a look that tells me Sam’s giving Landon the talk. It’s probably more like a lecture. She gives me a little smile before going over to the girls. She starts giving them last minute instructions. Grabbing my nude color lipstick I reapply it to my already painted lips just to touch up. My makeup is natural and light. My eyeshadow has a hint of shimmer. I really do feel like a princess. As I put the cap back on the lipstick, my sister calls me over to take a few more pictures before Sam arrives.

Sam arrives and I take him in. He’s dressed in khakis and a lavender and white pinstripe dress shirt. He smiles as soon as his eyes find me.

“You look lovely, very angelic.”

“Thank you Sam.”

“Are you ready for this?” he asks, taking my hand as he leads me to the door.

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