Page 22 of Treasured By 3

“Trying on dresses is a workout,” I complain.

He chuckles. “We can always wear pajamas instead.”

“Absolutely not!” Hunter yells from the background.

I roll my eyes and smile. “Maybe just a silk robe for me, then?”

“Don’t tease,” Chase groans.

“I don’t know if I’ll come back with a dress. I know I’ll figure it out before the wedding and it’s nice to get time with everyone,” I murmur. “Are all of you okay? Good ... uninjured.”

“Yes, baby doll. It’s just been meetings. One man is close to taking over in the south.”

“The Lev guy I met?” I ask.

“That’s the one,” Chase pauses. “When did you meet him?”

“It was the world’s shortest conversation. I hear the attendant coming back. Love you three,” I bid before hanging up.

She comes back with three more dresses. One has gold filigree on the bottom and I think I’ll like it until I put it on and see the way the fabric changes for the mermaid part of the skirt at the end. I shake my head.

Just as I’m about to say a real ‘fuck no’ to the third one, there’s a knock on the door. I slump back and Josefine peeks in with a dress. “Try this one.”

“Really?” the attendant asks.

“I saw it when we walked in and I think she’ll love it. Sophie already agreed and so did Elaine,” Josefine says to me.

I perk up. Sophie and Elaine have opposite tastes. I wiggle into the gown and stare at myself in the mirror. I turn around to look at the lace detailing on the back and beam.

“There we go. A smile,” the attendant puts a hand to her chest. “I didn’t think it was possible.”

I walk out and look at myself in all three mirrors. I don’t like the sleeves draping over my arms, but I like the cut, the hint at cleavage without showing any, the way it fits to my body until the knees where the white fabric spreads like a trumpet. Not to mention the lace trail that acts like a halo along the bottom of the dress, even if longer in the back. The little side cuts that reveal lace and my skin, stopping just at my hips as if it’s tracing my body is perfect.

“The back is amazing. The way the lace covers until your butt,” Sophia hums.

“Plus, it shows so much of your back!” Elaine claps. “Valerie, you’re gorgeous.”

“Can I take off these sleeves?” I ask.

The attendant removes them. The dress looks even better. I feel confident, powerful, but beautiful and regal at the same time. My eyes water as I imagine my men seeing me. Turning around, I face my audience.

Danny smiles, then bites her lip. “That dress was made for you, Valerie.”

“It’s a perfect fit for you and your personality,” Vanya whispers, dabbing at her eyes.

I laugh once and cover my mouth. I thought getting emotional over a dress was just a T.V. thing. I sniff and then the attendant brings over a veil with the same lace details. She puts it on and shows it to me.

“This is the one,” I whisper. “It is.”

I can’t believe I found it. After looking online and being disappointed, not wanting to try a single thing on, to going through a mountain of dresses, I have the one I want. I’m stuck in a group hug, then freed as we look at shorter dresses for the reception. I find a nice high-low dress I can hide a knife under since that’s mandatory for our reception, and can dance in. It even looks like it’s meant to pair with my gown.

“Okay, now you guys get to try on bridesmaids’ dresses while I drink and eat. Let’s go,” I order.

Danny, Elaine, and Sophia all groan, but obey. I pop little cookies into my mouth while drinking water and watch them try on plenty of gowns until we select a color and style that works for all three of them.

Nick comes in a few minutes later, his eyes covered. “Am I allowed to look?”

“Hi, Nick,” I say. “Your wife is changing back into her normal clothes. Join us.”

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