The attendant circled me with measuring tape, stretching it across my shoulders and my breasts, briefly holding it around my hips.
“What type of dress do you love to wear on a regular day?” she asked. “A day when you’re only going to be running a few errands?”
“It’s usually something simple: solid color, basic shape, and a V-neckline.”
“I see...And how about when you go out on a date?”
“It depends...”
“Well, how about your last date? What type of dress did you wear? And where was it if you don’t mind me asking.”
I blushed just thinking about me and Jonathan’s last date. “It was at a vineyard. Nude colored lace dress with a low cut in the front.”
“Right. And you previously mentioned that you prefer the toned down organza skirt, sweetheart neckline, and corset bodice so...” She thumbed through a few hangers and pulled out a dress. “This is your wedding gown. Guarantee it.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“I’m the best.” She smiled and led me back to my fitting room. “Let me know how it works for you.”
I honestly didn’t want to try it on, but I slipped back into my suite and walked right between Helen and my mother. “Could you two help me into this last one please? Then we can all get drinks before we head back.”
“What about the shopping spree?” My mother frowned. “Jonathan promised me I could get whatever I wanted. Don’t you have his credit card with you?”
“Yes...” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll just have Greg pick you up tomorrow and bring you back.”
I stood still as she and Helen took their time helping me into the long, silk dress. I didn’t bother looking in the mirror as they tugged and smoothed every inch of it. I just wanted to get this over with and go home.
I expected them to start arguing over whether they liked it or not, but they were both staring at me in stunned silence.
“Is it that bad or that good?” I asked.
“It’s absolutely perfect.” Helen’s eyes lit up. “You look beyond beautiful, Claire...”
“Would you like to put on the matching veil?” My mother’s eyes were filled with tears.
I nodded and stooped down so they could pull my hair into a knot and guide the veil’s comb onto my head.
“Don’t look yet.” Helen smiled. “Let me ask the attendants for some jewelry.”
I waited until she returned and tried to be as still as possible as she fastened a Harry Winston wreath around my neck. I tried to sneak a peek of myself, but my mother held my head still and secured a pair of diamond earrings onto my ears.
They led me into the main room, where the largest mirror was, and helped me onto another platform. As they stepped back, I could see tears falling down their faces.
Out the corner of my eye, I spotted the shop’s attendants whispering and nodding their heads in approval.
I couldn’t take the anticipation anymore. “Can I turn around and look in the mirror now?”
“Yes.” They said in unison.
I slowly spun around and sucked in a breath once I saw my reflection.
Oh my god...
The dress was flawless. Utter perfection.
It was a strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline, a neckline that was embellished with a thin line of sparkling white and silver crystals. The top of the dress fit like a vintage corset and gave way to a long skirt of beautiful organza waves that flowed from my hips to my toes—into a long train that draped off the platform.
The veil was simple, but stunning. It had light, lace accents around its edges and its’ ends grazed my lower back.
I twirled around and looked over my shoulder, noticing that the jewelry I was wearing perfectly complemented the shimmering beads in the veil’s comb.
I didn’t want to cry, but the tears had already begun to fall down my face. Everything suddenly felt more real now; I was actually getting married.
“This is it.” There was a lump in my throat. “This is the dress I want.”
All of the attendants clapped, and the manager walked over and handed each of us a glass of chilled champagne.
“Congratulations, Miss Gracen,” she said. “I’ll bring out our seamstress to check for any necessary alterations.”
“Just to be clear, these aren’t really tears in my eyes.” Helen stepped onto the platform and hugged me. “This moment never happened.”
I held back a laugh and nodded.
“I can’t get over how beautiful you look, Claire. You’re gorgeous...” My mother dabbed her eyes with a Kleenex. “He’s not going to be able to look away from you once you walk down that aisle.” She put her hand over her chest and cried. “Please don’t fuck this up!”
I smiled as Jonathan’s newest set of flowers were rolled into my office the next day. They were a collection of white, pink, and yellow tulips, with wild orchids evenly placed in between them.
I took the envelope that was on top and sliced it open:
Five Places Where I’d Love to Fuck You
5. At a crowded concert
4. In a packed movie theater
3. In our bathroom’s sauna
2. On the hood of my Bugatti
1. On my boardroom table...
Call me as soon as your last meeting is over.
Love,
Your Future Husband
I laughed and slipped the note into my pocket. “You can send my ten o’ clock back now, Rita.” I buzzed the intercom.
I walked over to my door and opened it, expecting to see an elderly man and his wife but instead—Ryan?!
“You never struck me as the domestic type, Claire.” He took off his hat and walked right past me. “But I guess when you’re engaged to a billionaire your priorities change. Interior design? Really?” He scoffed. “I bet I can guess what the other “C” in C & C’s Charming Designs means.”
“Do you not understand ‘get the fuck out’ and ‘I don’t want you here’? Or did putting your dick in Amanda over the years cause you to lose some of your hearing?”
“You always were a smartass. I loved that about you.”
“Clearly not enough. Get the fuck out.”
He sighed. “Do you know how hard it is to adjust to a new city? How much harder it is when you’re being watched and followed by security guards everywhere you go?” He shook his head. “Are you that threatened by me?”
“Get. The. Fuck. Out.”
“I’ll leave.” He walked towards me. “But we need to talk first. Sit down.”
“I’ll sit down after you leave.”
“You can’t give me five seconds?”
“I’ve given you more than that already.” I walked over to my door and opened it. “Besides, I don’t speak asshole. I never could master that language.”
“You owe me this, Claire. Just please, listen. Out of respect for how you used to feel about me...Out respect for one of our old promises: You never forget your first.”
“Unless he knocks up your best friend. People never read the fine print on that one.”
“Claire...”
“Mr. Hayes.” Greg was suddenly standing next to me. “It would be best if you didn’t utter another word to Miss Gracen. You are not welcome on this property.”
Ryan’s eyes dimmed and he shook his head, looking at me as if he was hurt.
What the hell is wrong with him?!
“You have five seconds to walk out of this door, Mr. Hayes.” Greg narrowed his eyes and Ryan walked out of the office, looking back at me as two other security guards escorted him out.
“I’ve notified Mr. Statham about the intrusion.” He sounded disappointed. “Mr. Hayes slipped by our watch today and managed to take a cab here. My sincerest apologies, Miss Gracen. It won’t happen again. Are you alright?”