Page 106 of Blind Date
“Welcome to Kleinfeld’s.” A perky blonde consultant walked over. “Who’s the bride?”
“She is.” Greta pointed at me.
“She’s marrying a billionaire, so expectations are high. Just letting you know up front,” Zoey said.
“How wonderful. And who is the billionaire you’re marrying?”
“Weston Castile.”
“Ah, Mr. Castile. Very good.”
“You know him?” Zoey narrowed her eye.
“Just from the news. Oh, wait. You’re the high school teacher he won a date with.”
“I am.” I smiled.
“I love it when things like that work out. So, tell me. What kind of dress are you envisioning?”
Before I could answer, Greta spoke. “Elegant.”
“Timeless,” Zoey said. “She’s an English Lit teacher. If the dress is too trendy, she’ll judge herself in ten years.”
“Nothing too flashy,” I said.
“Follow me.” The consultant led us to an area where full-length mirrors surrounded us, a platform, two elegant couches, and matching chairs.
“Sit tight while I go pull some dresses,” the consultant said.
After she filled the fitting room with gowns, I tried on the first four.
Dress 1: According to Zoey, I looked like a cupcake.
Dress 2: According to Greta, I looked like I was wearing a tablecloth.
Dress 3: According to both Greta and Zoey, I looked like a Vegas stripper.
Dress 4: Absolutely not.
The consultant brought another dress into the fitting room and hung it on the hook. “Let’s get you out of thisone so you can try on the one I brought in. It’s very classy and timeless. We just got it in today. I had to pull it from the back.”
I slipped into the dress and stared at myself in the mirror. The dress was a timeless satin gown with clean lines, delicate buttons down the back, and a subtle train with tiny pearls around the bottom.
I stepped out of the fitting room and onto the pedestal. Greta immediately placed her hand over her heart, and Zoey stared at me.
“Well?”
“You look like a woman Mr. Darcy would spend the whole book chasing,” Zoey said. She walked over and gripped my hand. “Dad is going to lose his mind when he sees you in that dress.”
I could feel the tears starting to sting. The consultant walked over and placed a beautiful veil on my head.
“Now the look is complete.” She smiled.
“This is it. This is the one.” I grinned. “I’ll take it.”
“Excellent. Now, it will take about eight months for the dress to come in. When is the wedding?”
My face fell flat, and all the joy I experienced disappeared.
