Page 28 of Along Came Amor
“Yes, but not for my wedding!”
Ignoring Jasmine’s stormy expression, Michelle snapped a photo on her phone. When she saw Ava looking, she winked. “I told Ashton I’d pick out the sexiest dress I could find and send him a picture.”
Ava shook her head as Jasmine sailed away with Titi Lisa hot on her heels. “Why do you tease that man?”
“Because it’s so easy.” Then Michelle got a speculative look in her eye. “Maybe I should try that one on and send a picture to Gabe. We’re never getting married, so this is my only chance.”
“With your boobs, it’s going to look obscene,” Ava warned.
Michelle smirked. “That’s the point. Be right back.”
After Michelle disappeared into the dressing room, Jillian glanced over at Ava and said, “Thanks again for taking on maid of honor duties.”
“Don’t mention it,” Ava said. “I’m happy to help.”
“I mean it. You’re saving me a lot of hassle.”
Ava shrugged it off. “Between your workload and Michelle’s travel schedule, it just makes sense.”
Jillian grabbed the half-full bottle of champagne and handed it over.
“Here,” she said. “Don’t bother with a glass. I won’t tell anyone.”
Ava huffed out a laugh. “Thanks. But Jas hasn’t gone full Bridezilla yet.”
“Give it time,” Jillian muttered darkly and returned to her work.
If Jillian had noticed Ava’s tension, it meant Ava had to be more careful.
Fixing her features into what she thought of as her Resting Pleasant Face—serene smile, smooth brow, eyes slightly unfocused to mask the internal screaming—Ava returned to the racks to find the perfect dress for Jasmine.
Jillian surprised them all by selecting a whimsical off-the-shoulder gown with sheer puffy sleeves, a sparkling corset top, and a long flowing skirt.
When Jasmine came out in it, Jillian looked up and shrugged. “Pretty, but not your style,” she said, and went back to her laptop.
Jasmine posed for a few pictures, then returned to the fitting room, this time forbidding her mother from coming with her.
Michelle distracted Titi Lisa with trying on headpieces whileAva kept looking through the racks. She searched and searched, debating between a lacy mermaid dress and a sequined one-shoulder design. They both screamed “Jasmine,” but in different ways.
“It’s almost harder because she looks amazing in everything,” Ava muttered to herself, not at all bitterly.
Then she saw it. The perfect dress.
She gathered it up and rushed over to the dressing room.
“This one,” she told Debbie. “I have a good feeling.”
As Ava went back to the seating area, memories of her own wedding dress filled her thoughts. It had featured an asymmetrically draped sweetheart bodice with cap sleeves and a flowing A-line tulle skirt. It hadn’t been her first choice, but it had been flattering on her body and she’d managed to find it used for less than half the retail price. She’d splurged on a tiny tiara to attach the simple veil. Her cousin Ronnie had done her hair and Titi Val had done her makeup. Ava had felt beautiful.
A year later, she’d sold the dress to Hector’s cousin, who’d added lace sleeves and a rhinestone belt to give it a different look. As much as Ava had wanted to keep it, she was nothing if not practical. The dress took up too much space in her tiny closet, and she’d needed the money for student loans.
Now she was just glad the damn thing was out of her life.
Same with Hector.
She thought of how tightly Roman had held her in the pool, the strength and warmth of his body surrounding her own. It had been so long since she’d been skin to skin with another person, she hadn’t even realized how much she’d needed it.
Just then, Jasmine came out wearing Ava’s selection, and Titi Lisa burst into tears.
