A Broken Forever(108)

We walked uneasily side-by-side into the shop. We were immediately greeted by an overly bubbly sales woman.

"Hello! How can I help you two today?" The cartoonish expression on her face made me cringe. In no way would I be able to match her enthusiastic mood.

"I'm just here to pick up my wedding dress."

"Wonderful! What is the name for the pick up?"

"Greyson Desmond or it could be under my mother, Leeann Desmond."

"Excellent, I'll go check on that. Feel free to look around, I'll come find you." She practically bounced as she headed toward the back of the store.

We stood, unmoving and unspeaking as we waited for Bubbles to return. Minutes rolled by and finally she was back with a dress bag hung gracefully across her arms. A heavy exhale deflated my chest as I saw the bag was not see-through. Being here was challenging enough, having Stefan see the gown would be even worse.

"It looks like this is the final fitting! We will just slip this on and be sure it is perfect and you will be all set."

My heart froze. "Um, no … no that's okay. I'll just take it now and trust that it is right."

Her face sunk. "You don't want to try it on?"

"No, I think it will be just fine."

"We insist! If you leave without trying it on and there is just a little issue we could fix it. If not, you could put it on the day of your wedding and be out of luck."

"I'm sure it'll be alright." I smiled as forcefully as I could to get my point across, but the woman didn't understand. Her eyes darted from me to Stefan as she tried to fathom the reason for rejecting store traditions.

"Is this the groom?" She asked.

"No, this is … " I looked back to Stefan, suddenly unsure of what title to give. "This is my best friend."

The sunken expression of her face instantly perked up. "Perfect! He'll be able to give you an honest opinion. We very much recommend putting the gown on before we finalize sales."

I was about to disappoint her once more but Stefan stepped in.



       
         
       
        

"You should try it on, Grey. You don't want to risk something being wrong. Your wedding day you should only be happy, not stressed out over your dress."

Bubbles nodded her head vigorously. "Precisely! Now come this way you two!" She walked off toward the dressing rooms before I had a chance to argue anymore.

Stefan placed a hand against my lower back and urged me forward. "Come on, Grey. Don't be silly. You have to try it on."

Whether his words were true or not, they gave me the strength to get into the changing room. Stefan took a seat in the same chair my family had been in weeks prior.

Bubbles slipped the dress into place and even though the first time it was almost perfectly fitted-this time it was. The gown hugged my curves, complimented my olive complexion, and when I looked into the mirror, I saw the radiance in my reflection. The deep chocolate color of my hair curled down my back and when I examined every bit of my appearance-I had no doubt this was right.

"Come on out, darling. Show your friend how incredibly stunning you look."

My heart beat rapidly as I debated what to do. This was stunning, and I so greatly wanted to show him, but I never wanted to hurt him. As if sensing the reason for my hesitation, Stefan spoke up.

"Please come out, Grey. I want to see." A slight wariness laced within his voice, but I knew he was trying to hide it. Releasing all pent up concerns I had, I gave in and walked out to the platform to show Stefan.

It wasn't until I was standing, and the train of the dress had been properly fanned out that I looked at him. The awe in his expression made my pulse quicken as he stood to his feet and pressed a hand over his heart.

"Hold on, one final touch." Bubbles pinned a veil at the crown of my head and let the back fall down, while the see-through front piece covered my face.

I watched Stefan's expressions with each passing moment. The way his eyes searched every piece of the image in front of him. Over the detail in the dress, across the curls of my hair, along my bare arms and collarbone. Bubbles moved to take the front of my veil over my head but Stefan stood, and placed a hand against her shoulder.

"Let me do it."

She smiled at him and backed away. "Of course, I need to grab something from the back. Take your time." The secret grin on her face said she felt the same change in the air that I had.

Stefan stepped closer, put either hand on the bottom of the fabric and slowly moved it over my head. Our eyes held on almost afraid to look away and break the moment between us. Tenderly his fingers brushed the side of my cheek, gliding leisurely down the length of my arm until he was holding onto my left hand.