Page 22 of The Engagement
“Very classic!”
“That’s lovely.”
I stare at myself in the trio of mirrors, feeling very much like an imposter. I certainly don’t look likeme.
I return to the dressing room and try on dress number three.
“Oh, wow,” Beth says as she gazes at me in awe once I have it on. “Erin, it’s perfect. It’s soyou, don’t you think?”
My eyes widen as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I love the dress. The texture is delicate. The shape is flattering. It’s awow.
“You like this one, don’t you?” she asks.
I nod. Yes, I can see myself walking down the aisle wearing this dress. “How much is it?” I look for a price tag, but I can’t find one.
Beth locates it behind my right arm pit. “It’s your lucky day. It’s on clearance. Only $589.”
That seems like an awful lot of money to spend on a dress, but I guess it will have to do. “I’ll take it.”
I show the girls this third dress, and their reactions are unanimous.
“This one, Erin!”
“Oh, my God, you look stunning!”
“Mack will flip!”
I nod. “Yes, this is the one.”
And they all cheer for me.
I glance at the back of the room at Sam and Jason, who are leaning against the wall, trying to remain inconspicuous. They both give me a grin and a thumbs up.
“That wasn’t so hard,” Jasmine says as she stands. “Now what color do you want the rest of us to wear? Chartreuse? Hot pink? Lime green? Polka dots? Personally, I vote for lime green polka dots.”
I laugh. “Actually, I was thinking maybe lavender, if they have anything like that.”
Haley comes up behind me and tugs on my arm. “I think someone’s here to see you,” she whispers as she nods toward the curtained doorway.
When I spot Mack standing there, my stomach does a little somersault.
He’s here!
Sam claps Mack on the shoulder. “You just couldn’t stay away, could you?”
“Hey, I’m just here to pay for the dresses.”
“Dad!” Haley steps in front of me. “You’re not supposed to see Erin in her wedding dress until the day of the ceremony. It’s bad luck!”
“Bullshit,” Mack says. “Besides, it’s not fair that Sam and Jason get to be here, and I don’t—and I’m the groom.” He defiantly crosses his arms over his chest. “I get why Sam is here.” He nods toward Beth. “But why does Jason get to come, and I don’t?”
Jason crosses his arms. “Because I’m Layla’s medical service boyfriend,” he says.
I step around Haley and turn in a slow circle so Mack can see the dress. “Do you like it?”
Mack comes right to me, and before a rapt audience, he pulls me into his arms and kisses the life out of me. “I love it. You take my breath away, Erin.”
After they all have fun teasing Mack for crashing the bridal outing, he joins Sam and Jason. While the guys hang out, the rest of us scour the racks of bridesmaid dresses looking for anything lavender. The dresses don’t have to exactly match—they just have to be a similar shade of lavender.
