Page 176 of Hyde and Seek
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When the women left the hotel, we headed to a boutique.
I’d have happily married Jake in the jeans and t-shirt I wore. That didn’t mean that once I saw the gorgeous dresses, I wasn’t thrilled we were there.
Nat’s eyes lit gleefully as she handed me a glass of champagne. “Have a seat.”
Taking the glass, I narrowed my eyes as I studied her face. “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something?”
She shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but her valley girl lilt was strong from her excitement. “Because I am. We’ve been planning this for weeks.”
Her use of ‘we’ve’ wasn’t lost on me, and I grinned at her. It couldn’t have been easy on her or my mom, but it meant a lot to me. When I caught her eyes, I knew she felt the same way.
Sitting down, I watched as Ray and Harlow disappeared into what I’d correctly assumed were changing rooms.
Within minutes, they came out in matching shimmery, dove gray, one shouldered dresses that ended above the knee. The one strap was black ruched. Even with the black, back seam tights and gray three-inch pumps, I was surprised at how low-key the outfit was.
They totally rocked the look, but I got the feeling the moms played a heavy role in picking the attire.
This should be interesting.
“Oh my God, you both look gorgeous! Harlow, I had no clue your legs were so long.”
Though she was only an inch or so taller than me, her legs seemed miles longer.
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” she said, looking off to the side.
The moms and seamstress went to work on Ray, adding pins and walking around her as they discussed alterations.
I caught her gaze in the reflection of the mirror. After giving me her best model face, she rolled her eyes and blew me a kiss.
Standing, I moved closer to an unusually quiet Harlow. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just… I’m so happy for you, Piper. I love you, and you’re, like, the most kickass friend. I’m just so touched you wanted me here,” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes.
“Honey—”
“Don’t say another word. If I cry, my eyes are gonna get puffy and my skin will get splotchy.”
“I get Alice Cooper face.”
“Then we both better get a handle on this.”
Looking away as I tried to do just that, I saw the moms go into the dressing rooms.
I sat back to watch a relieved Ray get out of the hot spot as Harlow took her place, looking even more uncomfortable.
Her legs are seriously never-ending!
Within minutes, Nat, Sarah, and my mom came out of the rooms in similar gray, A-line, fifties style dresses.
“Those dresses are perfect!” I squealed.
“I’m thinking I’ll make this my new look,” Sarah joked, her lips twitching like her son’s did.
When it was my turn, I went into a changing room. My knees gave out and I sank down onto a bench. Trying to stop the tears from sliding down my cheeks, I lifted my head to see my mom crouched next to me.
The others wiped at their eyes as they watched through the open curtain.
