Page 51 of In Love with Lewis Prescott
“I really didn’t think I’d find the one my first time shopping,” she says as we break apart.
“Finding your dress the first time you shop happens more often than you think,” Mari says before darting off to grab a tape measure to take her measurements.
“Your mom will forgive you when she sees you in it,” I say.
While we’re dabbing at our eyes, the door flies open and in walks Maren, our friend from college, dressed in a pair of light blue scrubs. Her mouth opens as she cups her hands over her face. When she stumbles over, I pull her into a hug.
“You made it!” Naomi squeals.
“I thought you had to work!” I squeeze Maren’s tall and lanky frame in my arms.
She shifts her teary gaze from Naomi to me. “I managed to get someone to cover the second half of my shift at the hospital.” When she lets go of me, she steps over to Naomi and pulls her into a hug.
“You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Maren says, her lips trembling.
“That’s what I said.” I wipe at my eyes, and the three of us share watery laughs.
Naomi grabs my hands in both of hers. “Thank you for coming with me. I’m so happy I got to do this with you. And that we ended up falling in love with the same dress. I was scared for a while there.”
I chuckle while thinking about the first three dresses she tried on. Either she hated one that I loved or the reverse happened. I fill Maren in on how contentious the first half of the appointment was.
Her head falls back as she laughs. She tugs loose her messy bun, and a cascade of wavy black tendrils falls nearly to her waist. “What do you think? Should I get it cut before your wedding or leave it long?”
“Long,” Naomi and I say at the same time.
“You look like a mermaid,” Naomi says. “So pretty.”
Maren makes a scrunch-smile face. “You sound like myapong. She’s says I shouldn’t ever cut my hair because I look more attractive with it long.”
“I feel attacked.” I point to my messy bob that hits just under my chin.
Naomi and Maren burst into giggles. Mari returns and begins taking Naomi’s measurements.
“Simon is gonna pass out when he sees you walk down the aisle,” I say.
Naomi’s expression turns wistful. She scrunches her mouth right as a cheesy grin appears. “I hope so.”
“One thousand percent he will,” Maren says. “How’s the venue hunt going?”
Naomi beams. “Oh, I forgot to tell you! We’re doing it at the San Francisco Mint.”
Maren gasps. “That’s so romantic!”
I nod my head, still impressed by how Simon pulled off one hell of a romantic gesture there. One of his clients held their vow renewal at the Mint over a year ago. That was when Naomi was filming Simon for an online series she was working on for her job...and they were harboring hard-core feelings for each other while engaging in a friends-with-benefits relationship. Naomi’s commitmentphobic tendencies at the time after years of failed relationships were the reason why she was so hesitant to pursue anything serious with Simon. But after he gave an impromptu speech following the renewal ceremony, during which he confessed his love for Naomi, she realized just how badly she wanted to be with him. They confessed their feelings and exchangedI love yous. It was the official kickoff to their relationship.
While Mari takes Naomi’s hip measurement, Maren’s phone rings. When she steps away to answer it, Naomi pivots toward me. “So how are things going with your living situation?” she whispers.
The memory of what went down between Lewis and me just hours ago floats to the front of my mind, causing every inch of my skin to tingle.
“It’s going fine,” I mumble.
“Just fine?”
I fumble with my crumpled tissue, trying to memorize each crinkle. If I make eye contact with my cousin, she’ll know right away that something’s up. It’s a miracle she didn’t notice when I first arrived to meet her at the boutique. I’ve been sporting a permanent flush across my cheeks and chest in the aftermath of what Lewis and I did last night. I’ve never, ever acted so bold as when I touched myself in full view of Lewis, then rode him to climax immediately after. That thought on top of the vivid sex dream I had when I fell asleep is likely why I feel so dazed and flushed...but Naomi was so focused on trying on wedding dresses that she didn’t notice. And for that I was grateful. As soon as we shifted into dress-hunting mode, I was fixated on helping her find the gown of her dreams.
But now that the focus is back on me, I know it’s only a matter of time before I break.
“Why are you so red?”
