Page 58 of Had To Be You

“We want every glorious, dirty detail, Ellie. Don’t leave out a thing,” Kate says, crossing one leg over the other and leaning in with a curious look.

“I’m one hundred percent sure I’m not up for certain dirty details,” Jules groans, rubbing her temples. “A heads-up when the conversation takes a turn into your and my brother’s sex life would be appreciated. I will hide myself in that row of gowns right over there, pretend I’m shopping for the most expensive one that I can find which my handsome husband to be - who lives in Italy and drives race cars, naturally - will adore.”

Kate and I laugh at Jules’ over-active imagination.

Flashing her a sympathetic look, I let her know that won’t be a problem. I’d rather not discuss all the ways her brother pleased me. And there were many. Thankfully, I won’t have to worry about that for now thanks to our conversation being interrupted when the curtain is pulled back, revealing a beaming Olivia.

My face must resemble the heart-eyed emoji when Olivia steps out from behind the curtain because the sight of my best friend in her wedding dress takes my breath away. We all ooh and ahh as she spins around for us, showing off the gown that highlights her decolletage and falls to the ground in a mermaid fit. Her long blonde hair is down, with one side pinned back behind her ear. She beams. Her eyes turn weepy.

Olivia steps up onto a pedestal in the middle of the room, the gown draping to the floor in a waterfall, spilling all around her. She’s twisting her solitaire engagement ring on her left hand. She looks lost in thought for a second, like she’s in the middle of a daydream. She blinks when I say, “He doesn’t stand a chance, Liv.” I mean every word.

“You think?” Olivia asks, a little wistful.

“I know,” I tell her. “He will cry like a baby at the sight of you in this dress.”

“Stunning,” Jules adds.

Olivia smiles as she bends at the knees, allowing the shop owner to pin a jewelled clip to her hair. It sparkles like diamonds under the boutique lights.

“Breathtaking, Liv,” Kate says to her sister with tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe the day is finally almost here. I’ve never met two people who were so meant to be. You are a living, breathing love story.”

“Thanks Katie-cat. The countdown really is on,” Olivia says with a hitch in her voice. “Okay, your turn! I want to see us all side-by-side in our dresses.”

Taking our cue, we each head to a fitting room, where our dresses are waiting for us. As we get changed, the shop owner excuses herself to answer a call and Kate takes her disappearance as a green light to resume her interrogation. She’s persistent. I’ll give her that.

“So, where were we?” she says from the next curtain over, loud enough for Jules and Olivia to hear. “How was it, Ellie? Where did he take you? What did you do? Details, now. I can’t wait another second.”

“It was one of the best nights of my life,” I say, sliding into the satin gown, then slipping into my heels, remembering the night. I replay it in my mind: the jet to New York, the hotel room and the view from the terrace. My hand grasped in Liam’s as we walked through Rockefeller Center. Talking together about the past and new promises while I was tightly wrapped in his arms. A rush of heat warms my chest. For the first time in my life I can see a future with someone, and it doesn’t terrify me.

For years, I’ve been dead set against allowing myself to love someone. I’ve guarded my heart, built walls, shut myself off at anything more than one night. Okay, two nights tops. And it’s worked for me just fine. I’ve never felt like I needed more. I’ve never felt like I deserved more. Until now.

I feel like a different woman. A woman who knows what she wants and is ready to take it. A woman willing to take a chance on love. Everything seems possible.

“He brought you to see Cats,” Olivia says with happiness in her voice. “I’m not sure I’ve heard of anything sweeter than that.”

“I know,” I gush, remembering when Liam kissed me in front of everyone in the theatre.

Glancing at myself in the mirror, I zip the side of my dress, excited for Liam so see me in it. Ice-blue, with a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice, the satin draping to the floor. I imagine my hair tied back into a knot, exposing my back and my collarbones for Liam to brush his fingertips and trail kisses over. My stomach flips at the thought.

With the hem of my bridesmaid dress in my hand, I step out from the curtain, meeting the rest of the girls in front of the wall of mirrors.

“If Liam couldn’t keep his eyes off you before, he’s going to be eye-banging you all night when he sees you in this dress,” Kate teases, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. “I love you two, by the way. Sparks fly when you’re in a room together. The way he looks at you is enough to set the whole room up in flames.”

I may be biased, but I have to agree with Kate. I blush, thinking of the spine-tingling, heated, flirtatious moments Liam and I have shared. “That obvious, huh?”

“That obvious,” Olivia chimes in. “You two have major hot and heavy chemistry.”

If they couldn’t tell I was blushing before, they’ll definitely see it now.

“Are you head over heels in love with him, or what?” Kate asks, with anticipation in her eyes.

The answer is yes but I’m not sure I’m ready to admit that out loud. Especially considering I haven’t told Liam. So, I do my best to skirt the question.

“I like him a lot,” I say, hoping it will be enough.

“You like him enough to want to tear off his clothes every time you’re in the same room with him. That much is clear,” Olivia says.

I laugh. It’s true.

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