Page 40 of Priceless
I shook my head. Usually, I could resist those kinds of self-deprecating thoughts. But with trying on clothes, the pain in my sides from the boning, and Laura’s attitude, I was worn down.
Ashley pushed open the door with a new bundle of fabric in her arms. “So there’s two pieces to this dress, but I don’t want you to see the second piece yet.”
“Okay,” I laughed. “Ashley, my best friends are on the phone right there, just so you know.”
“Hello, ladies. Let’s get you into this.” She rubbed her hands together with glee.
I laughed again. “You really think it’s the one?”
“I do. I feel it in my bones. That doesn’t mean you should tell me you like it if you don’t. But I’ve got a good feeling.”
“Then let’s give it a go.”
She helped me into the dress, and it was a different silhouette than the others I’d tried on. Almost a mermaid style, with the white skirt flaring from my knees. The top was entirely lace, with a structured, corseted top, an off the shoulder neckline, and lace sleeves that went down to my wrists, only interrupted by a puff at the elbow.
It wasn’t a dress I would have ever picked for myself. But I couldn’t stop staring at my own reflection. Even though I was fat, I still had a waist, and the structured corset hit me exactly where it was, emphasizing the curves in my shape to nearly an hourglass. The bottom, flaring skirt balanced out the shape so I didn’t look stuffed into the dress, and the neckline didn’t feel scandalous, it felt… pretty.
“Holy shit, Ocean,” Trinity whispered. “You look…”
Ashley was right. This was the one. Because nothing had ever made me feel like I did wearing this dress. All the other thoughts in my brain fell away, and all I could focus on was how lovely it was. How good it felt. What they would think when they saw me.
“Now, close your eyes,” Ashley said. “I think this will make it even better.”
I obeyed, and I heard my friends gasp when she revealed whatever it was. Fabric brushed my shoulders, and Ashley pulled my arms through holes, before arranging something on top of my hair.
“Okay. Open.”
My reflection looked like a fairytale. Ashley had added a cloak entirely made of lace over the dress. It fanned out behind me in a train, the hood balancing on my hair in place of the veil. It was perfect.
Tears blurred my eyes, and I had to blink them away. “Wow.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.”
Ashley jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “I knew it. I knew it. Do you want to go and show?”
I shook my head. “No. She won’t like it, and I don’t care. This is what I want.”
“Fuck yes.” Trinity nodded her approval. “Don’t give that bitch the satisfaction.”
“She’ll give me hell either way.”
“At least this way you’ll be happy.”
Grinning at my friends, I picked up the phone. “Fine. You’re right. I surrender. Now I’m hanging up so I can get measured and get the hell out of here.”
Isolde stuck out her tongue. “BYE.”
After taking a couple of pictures, Ashley helped me out of the dress and took my measurements. “Thursday we’ll do a final fitting. I’ll make sure Geneva knows where and when.”
“That’s perfect, thank you.”
Laura was staring at her phone when I came out, and she frowned when I looked up. “Took you long enough. Why aren’t you dressed?”
“Oh, we found the right one, and I didn’t need extra opinions on it. Ashley’s taking care of the order.”
Her frown grew deeper. “I want to see it.”
