Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“This table is my dream! What do you think? It’s simple but still has that fall vibe.”
A rush of happiness flooded through me as I turned and headed out of the room.
Adelaide
Boston, Massachusetts
I stared in the mirror at myself and tried not to cry. After trying on at least forty dresses, I had told Bess, the young girl who’d been helping me, that maybe white wasn’t my thing. I wanted to shake things up, so I asked her—without anyone else hearing—if she could find me something that wasn’t white. Maybe something blue as a nod to the ocean. After all, we were getting married right on the water, and it was such a huge part of Gannon’s world. Both of our worlds, since we’d grown up so close to it.
And boy, did Bess come through.
“This is the one,” I whispered as I looked up and met her gaze in the mirror. “This is it.”
Bess nodded. “The blue makes your eyes stand out more. The fit is stunning. It’s classic, yet modern.”
The dress was a short-sleeve Boho beach dress, no doubt about it. The sweetheart neckline, ivory lace top, and dusty-blue tulle skirt were exactly what I was looking for. The skirt had beautiful swirls of hand-sewn lace, and the back consisted of a row of buttons that finished in a lace bow.
“Adelaide, it looks beautiful on you.”
I wiped a tear and turned to hug Bess. “Thank you for finding this dress.”
She hugged me back, and I heard her sniffle. “Should we show the others?” she asked, drawing back.
“Give me just a second to savor this moment before all hell breaks loose.”
She giggled. “I’ll go get some champagne so we can toast.”
Lifting the dress, I walked over and took my phone out of my purse before returning to the mirror. I opened up my texts and smiled while I typed out a message.
Me: I found the dress!
I got an almost instant reply.
Gannon: Do you love it?
Me: Yes, I love it so much.
Gannon: What does everyone else think of it?
Me: I haven’t gone out yet. I told Bess, the girl helping me, that I wanted a minute. I wanted to tell you I found it before anyone else saw it.
The little dots bounced around as Gannon typed out his reply.
Gannon: I love that you wanted to share it with me first. Can I see you in it, or is that bad luck? I can honestly say you look beautiful in anything you put on, sweetheart.
My heart melted. I took a picture of the bottom of the dress so he could see the blue with the white lace and sent it to him.
Me: This is the only peek you get. I want to see your face when you see me in it.
Gannon: Fair enough. I love that you aren’t going with traditional white. That blue reminds me of the ocean.
Me: I’m glad, because that’s what it reminds me of too. I love you.
Gannon: I love you more. Are you having fun? Your father and my father are already drunk off their asses. They asked Brody when the strippers were showing up.
Me: What!?!?
Gannon: LOL. I’m pretty sure they were kidding…
Me: LOL! We’re having fun. Now that I found the dress, we can just enjoy the rest of the weekend in Boston. Better go. Love you.
Gannon: Love you back!
Putting my phone back into my purse, I drew in a deep breath, took one last look at myself, and then stepped off the pedestal and headed out to where my mother, Janet, Sutton, Palmer, and Harlee were all waiting.
As I peeked around the corner, I saw Bess filling up their flutes. “She found the dress,” Bess said.
My mother gasped. “She did? Which one is it?”
“Tell her to get her ass out here!” Sutton said while Harlee giggled.
Bess laughed. “She wanted a moment to herself. She should be out any second now.”
That was my cue. As I entered, all five of them turned—and gasped. My mother and Janet both put their hands over their mouths, and Sutton instantly burst into tears. Harlee and Palmer started snapping pictures of me—as well as everyone else—to document the moment.
Bess helped me up the short steps until I stood in front of another wall of mirrors. My back was toward everyone, but I could see them in the reflection. I slowly turned and looked at my mother first.
“Do you like it?” I asked, my voice cracking slightly.
She walked up and stood in front of me, taking my hands in hers. “It’s stunning. You’re stunning. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride.”
“I love the blue so much!” Palmer said.
“Me too,” I replied. “It reminds me of the ocean. A little nod to Gannon and Seaside.”
At that, Janet let a little sob slip out. I glanced over at her, and we both smiled. I wiped a tear away and looked down at the dress. “I think it’s perfect.”