Page 19 of Sunset

“Would it have mattered?” She shrugs.

That means, he saw me, and he cut the date short. “Why would he do that?”

“He’s a guy, and nothing they do makes sense. You need to decide what you want. If you want another chance with him, then grab on to it. If not, make it clear and set him free. We know better than anyone life can change at the drop of a hat. Stop playing games.” She says in her no-nonsense voice.

“Fine, let’s go get strangled by silks and choked by chiffons and turn you into a princess,” I say, hugging her, while making a silent vow to make the rest of the day all about her.

“Oh, you must be Lin!” The blonde with a way too bubbly personality bounces over to us the moment we walk in the door. “I’m Gigi, and I’ll be your wedding dress concierge.”

Lin smiles then looks at me, and her eyes say, ‘Is she for real?’

“Yes, this is Brynn, my best friend and Maid of Honor.” She says, while grabbing my arm tightly, like she feels they’re about to suck her into a wedding dress cult.

“Hi, Brynn! Oh, I love that name! Will your mom or the groom’s mom be joining you?” She asks.

Just like that, Lin’s face crumbles.

“Lin’s parents passed away a few years back, and her fiancé’s mom won’t be joining us this time, but we plan to bring her back, when she comes to town in a few weeks.” I take charge of the situation.

Bubbly Barbie’s face falls, and I see the hint of an actual person in there.

“I’m so sorry. My parents have passed too, and I’m dreading my wedding without them.” She says softly and places a hand on Lin’s arm.

A few other salesgirls are standing towards the back of the room, whispering and pointing our way. My guess is they recognize Lin, as Kade Markson’s fiancé. We booked the whole store for our appointment to get some privacy, but we used my last name. While Gigi doesn’t seem to recognize her, I’m sure her coworkers will fill her in.

It’s hard to believe my best friend is marrying a super famous Hollywood movie star. He has the skills and accomplishments of Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, but the looks of Chris Helmsworth and Channing Tatum all rolled into one. The lucky bitch.

“Okay, so dresses. Any idea what you like or don’t like?” Gigi slips back into her bubbly personality, and I find myself grateful for it.

“Nothing too poofy, and I don’t like the mermaid style. We’re doing a small beach wedding, so nothing with a long train. I want to do something with lace, because my mother’s dress was lace.” Lin says.

“Something with a little glitter that will catch in the sunlight on the beach, so all eyes are on her,” I add.

“Perfect! I have a few ideas, but why don’t you both go look around and pull dresses you like. Let Brynn pull a few dresses she thinks you would like, since she knows you best.” Gigi says. “I’m going to get some snacks and champagne ready, so we can celebrate!”

We start walking around the shop, looking at dresses, some with flowers, and some with different color sashes. Some look like they should have stayed in the 80’s.

We split off at one point and walk around the aisle. I pull a dress, and a salesgirl is right there to take it from me, whisking it to the fitting room for Lin. I’m looking at a dress that might work, when I hear Lin gasp.

“Brynn!” She yells, and I take off running towards the sound of her voice. Millions of thoughts flashing through my mind. Maybe, Kade showed up, or his mom, or all the salesgirls attacked her for autographs. I don’t expect to find her with tears falling down her face, staring at a dress.

I take a look at it, and my eyes fill with tears too, as Gigi walks around the corner.

“Is this the dress?” She asks, a bit confused.

“This… This…” Lin is too choked up to talk.

“This looks just like her mom’s dress, which isn’t wearable. It’s white and not ivory, but the cut is the same, and the lace is really close to the original. And the belt is different.” I whisper.

It has the flowy bell sleeves, the high neckline with a v-cut, and an A-line waist. From the waist, it flows naturally with minimal poof. It used to be called a hippie style dress, but now, it’s called boho. Her mom was very much a free spirit, and it fit her personality perfectly.

“Okay, you have to try it on. Right now.” Gigi grabs the dress, as I grab Lin, and we head to the fitting room. Gigi and Lin disappear into a room, and I sit on a couch sounded by mirrors.

On the coffee table in front of me, are champagne and little sandwiches. When I take a bite of one, I’m so thankful no one is around to see my face. I don’t know if Jasper’s food has spoiled me, or if these are truly just horrible, but I barely swallow the bite I took. I turn to the cookies hesitantly, but a small bite confirms they’re store bought. Thank God for small favors.

When Lin steps out, she’s already crying, and I can’t help but cry with her.

“You look just like your mom did in her wedding photos,” I tell her.

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