Page 67 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

She hugged me tightly, then went to grab Ainslee. Her worried gaze met mine, and I smiled reassuringly.

“Ok, let’s get your dress on,” Ainslee exclaimed and brought the dress over.

“Ainslee,” I started as I saw her lift it up. “Is that red on it?”

She gave me an apologetic look.

“Yes, scarlet red is the color of the McLaren’s clan,” she mumbled, visibly uncomfortable. “I would have had it removed but couldn’t have done it on the same day. Now that I know you don’t like scarlet red.”

I felt like the room stood still, both Elise and Ainslee eyeing me warily. I walked over slowly to Ainslee, only wearing my white bra and panties with white stiletto wedding shoes, and brushed my fingers over the dress. It was a beautiful dress, fit for a queen or a princess.

“Wedding bouquets are scarlet red roses too?” I asked.

Ainslee looked miserable. “Yes, but you don’t have to carry the bouquet. Or I can switch it to artificial white roses?”

My finger felt the soft material of the scarlet red plaid. I could barely hear their breathing, as if they were holding their breath.

“No, that’s ok,” I told her. “I’m ready.”

I’m ready to move on,I thought to myself.Lachlan is my future.

It sounded like a total cliche but there was something that happened when I saw Lachlan for the first time and the future started forming. A future I thought I no longer had.

Ainslee and Elise smiled in relief. It was horrible that I had so many good people walking on eggshells.

I watched their motions in the mirror as I stood still and they put the wedding gown on me. The dress was Victorian white and tied at the waist with a modest decolletage. It was long and the train behind seemed even longer. They weren’t able to stretch it to its full length even in a large bedroom like this. Lastly, the tartan corset with scarlet red colors went over the white wedding gown, attached to the shoulders of the gown with a beautiful sapphire brooch.

“Lachlan's necklace,” I remembered. “It’s in the dresser.”

“Yes,” Ainslee exclaimed and she went to pull it out.

She handed it to me and I put it on. Lachlan's beautiful sapphire necklace complemented the dress perfectly and completed the look.

“No veil?” Elise asked.

Ainslee answered Elise. “Traditional Scottish wedding dresses don’t have veils.”

“I don’t think I need one,” I muttered more to myself than them. “Plus I want to be able to see.”

What I wanted to say is that I wanted to see Lachlan as I walked down the aisle. Just in case I lost my nerve.

“Is it time?” I asked Ainslee.

She glanced over to the clock and nodded.

“Yes, it’s time.” She watched me carefully as if she was worried I might change my mind. “Are you ready?”

I nodded. “Yes,” my voice was unwavering, just like Lachlan's words to me earlier today in the library.

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