“There’s a bridal store next door. I’m sure they’ll have something,” Ralph offered as he pulled out a tape measure and started taking Asher’s measurements.
“Bridal store?”
“They have more than just wedding gowns.”
“We can go after we’re done here,” Asher offered as he raised his arms so Ralph could measure his wingspan.
Feeling better about the situation, I nodded and made my way over to the chairs. I busied myself on my phone as Ralph escorted Asher to the dressing room, carrying a few suits on hangers with him.
A few minutes later, the dressing room door opened and movement drew my attention. My entire body froze as I stared at Asher. He was adjusting the cuffs of his tuxedo as he walked toward me. He hadn’t lifted his gaze yet to notice that I was watching him.
His blonde hair was tousled, and the white shirt accented his tanned skin. The tux hugged him so perfectly, it was like it had been made for him. My heart picked up speed as he raised his gaze to meet mine. The black jacket made his eyes appear darker as he held my gaze.
Could he hear my heartbeat? It was pounding so hard in my ears that I feared the whole world could hear it. Why was I reacting this way to him? It was almost as if…I closed my eyes.Oh no. No. Not now. Why?
Was I inlovewith Asher?
I shook my head. There had to be another reason why my body was reacting this way. Maybe, I was just coming down with something. That had to be it. I was sick. In a few days I was going to feel better…right?
Wrong.In a few days, Asher was going to be married. He would no longer be my best friend, and that thought made my stomach do flips.
“Oh no,” Asher’s soft voice pulled my gaze to his. “Is it that bad?” He turned to Ralph. “El is closing her eyes. It has to be bad.” He had approached the pedestal now. Once he was standing on it, he turned to look at himself in the mirror.
“I like it,” I said. My voice felt hoarse from all the emotions coursing through me.
He met my gaze through the mirror. “You do?” he asked, his lips tugging up into a smile.
I nodded. “I think you look great.”
He held my gaze, his expression stilling. Silence fell between us, and I feared that he could sense what I was desperately trying to hide from him. That I was the stupid one who had fallen for himafterhe got into a committed relationship.
Why couldn’t I have felt this way sooner?
Ralph clapped his hands, startling the two of us into looking over at him. “I would have told your best man she was crazy if she thought that this tuxedo was not made for you.” Ralph stepped up to Asher and started brushing the jacket with his hands. “I don’t even think we need to tailor this. It’s perfection.”
Asher turned his attention back over to me. He gave me a soft smile before he focused on his reflection.
Needing some way to burn off this nervous energy, I stood and walked up to him. “So, Asher Wolfe, are you saying yes to the tux?” I asked as I stood behind him, meeting his gaze in the mirror.
He studied me before returning his attention to his reflection. “I think I am.”
Ralph cheered and then ushered Asher back to the dressing room. I spent the next few minutes perusing the items around the seating area while I waited. Ralph took the tux as soon as Asher opened the dressing room door and informed him that he’d be waiting at the register for him.
Asher thanked him and then scanned the room. As soon as his gaze fell on me, a smile emerged, and my heart sang. Seeing his smile was like drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night. Or eating chicken noodle soup when you don’t feel well. It was familiar and felt like…home.
There was so much about Asher that I was going to miss once he was married. More so now that I finally realized I might have feelings for him too.
But he was engaged. He was going to marry Coralie. He’d fallen out of love with me and in love with her. I could only imagine how angry he would be if I tried to confess my feelings now. It would tank our already strained relationship, and I would be officially severed from my best friend.
I didn’t want that.
“Are you ready for your dress?” he asked, rubbing his hands together as he approached me.
I nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
I followed behind him as he made his way over to Ralph at the register. I fiddled with my purse strap as he finished paying and then took the garment bag that Ralph had prepped.
We made a stop at his truck so he could unload the tux and not risk ruining it by carrying it around with him. I led the way as we headed over to Grace and Lace. Soft classical music was playing when I pulled open the door and stepped inside.
