Page 75 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

She frowns. “You leave me again and I’m not taking you back.”

I raise both arms to help emphasize my words. “I promise I will be there. The people inside will help you.”

She gets out of the car and I watch her all the way until the road turns. In less than two hours, I’ll be marrying the woman of my dreams. I just need to get rid of the nerves until I can see her again. This is my last shot and I’m not going to mess it up again.

CHAPTER34

Rachelle

I’m standing on a remote island in front of a building that looks like all the other buildings surrounding it.

Whatever this is, Landon went to a lot of work to prepare it. The idea of not having to wait to re-plan the wedding is definitely a perk, though.

I walk inside to find a bridal shop. The sound of a blow-dryer has me turning to see a salon on the other side of the building.

“Rachelle,” Isabella says, walking forward and embracing me. “It’s so good to see you again. How are you?”

I smile. “Really good. A little confused as to the whole plan, but if I’m married by the end of the day, I won’t care.”

Isabella laughs and waves for me to follow her. “Okay, so I can at least give you a few details. These ladies over here are going to do your hair and makeup, but why don’t we try on one of these gowns over here first?”

My heart beats in my chest as I look at the beautiful fabrics all lined up on the rack. With the changes in my body, will I be able to find one that will work right off the rack?

“Do you have the right size? I mean, if Landon planned this from our last wedding, then I doubt any of those will fit.” Stress floods my body, and there’s a moment of regret that I didn’t stick to a diet. I never had to worry before about having something altered. But then I remember all the good things about this shape, and hope for the best.

Isabella takes my hand. “Don’t worry, Rachelle. We’ve put a lot of planning into this. Why don’t you try on this first one?” She pulls a dress off the rack and hands it to a woman. I almost have to jog to keep up with her as she heads toward the dressing room.

I pause a moment, feeling a pang of regret that none of my family and friends will be here. But maybe that’s a good thing. Landon and I can get married and move on with life. I hope he’s booked a photographer though, because this wedding is something we’re going to celebrate for years to come. As long as the dress fits, that is.

I slip the dress on and my jaw feels like those cartoons when their jaw hits the ground. It fits me like every curve has been measured. The top bodice is covered in small white gems, the sweetheart neckline holding in all the important bits.

The bodice meets the tulle skirt, which flows to the ground and I have to bend a bit to see the small rosebuds sewn into the fabric.

“Come out when you’ve got it on,” Isabella says through the curtain. “There’s a full-length mirror so you can look at every inch.”

Taking one more breath, I walk out, nearly bursting into tears when I see Tiffany standing there. She’s got a tissue out and it looks like she’s already been crying, which makes me tear up.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, walking over to hug her.

“You look beautiful. I’m so happy for you.” She gives me a quick hug and then sniffles. “I should probably step back so I don’t ruin the dress.”

“Landon didn’t tell me you were coming.” At least I haven’t gotten my makeup done, because the mascara would be running right now.

Tiffany grins. “He wanted it to be a surprise. So, what do you think?” She gestures to the length of the dress.

I walk over to the mirror, standing up on the pedestal, and see the length of the train as it spreads out behind me. Now I get why they named that one bridal showSay Yes to the Dress. Because I want to scream it from the rooftops.

The dress is perfect and I’m finally getting married.

“I love it. Everything about it. But how did they know?” I lower my voice to make sure not everyone can hear me, but it’s too late.

“We have ways of working our magic,” Isabella says. “I want to introduce you to Sadie Gibson-Pearson. Her husband and mine are really good friends from university. And Sadie is the wedding planner to the stars. When I told her your story, she was dying to help plan it.”

“It’s so nice to meet you, Rachelle. Congratulations.” Sadie shakes my hand and grins into the mirror. “Will this dress work?”

I nod, climbing down the couple stairs carefully, my cheeks already hurting from smiling so much. “We have a dress. What’s next?”

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