Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
When I feel everyone staring at me, I look around and say, “Oh! Yes, I’d love to. Sorry, I started daydreaming.”
I flash Evan a grin and then fall into step with Angie on the way to the back room where her mom is unzipping the dress bag. Her sister, Charlotte, sits on the bed with Mrs. Brooks. Everyone is so excited. I glance at Angie, and she gives me a nervous look. I reach out, cupping her wrist. “It’s okay,” I mouth, and she swallows hard.
“Thanks,” she whispers, and I really don’t understand how she doesn’t look in the mirror and see how beautiful she is. Her body is killer. Thick in all the right places. I love her figure, and I’m sure when I’m not in the gym anymore, I’ll look a lot like her. Strong arms, thick biceps, and a tummy, with big legs and ass. I know she is nervous about trying on this dress with her skinny momma and sister, but how can she not see how much they love her?
My phone rings just as I sit down. It’s Aviva, my sister.
“Excuse me,” I say, and Angie waves me off as I answer the FaceTime. “Hey!”
Aviva’s face is not happy. “You did not text, nor call, when you got there.”
“Oh! My bad. Evan started playing hockey on this pond here, and I got distracted.”
“I almost called Mrs. Adler.”
Everyone starts to tease me with “Ooh, you’re in trouble,” but I keep my focus on my sister. “I’m sorry. Like I said, we got here, and things have been busy. I am sorry.”
“I’ll forgive you,” she decides. “What are you doing?”
“Angie is about to try on her dress!” I say excitedly, and Aviva grins.
“Awesome. Send me pictures if you can. Oh, and someone wants to tell you goodnight,” she says, and then I see my squishy nephew.
“Merry Christmas!” he exclaims. “Santa is coming!”
“He is! I can’t wait to see what you get! What do you think it is?”
He taps his little chin. His beautiful eyes are bright and full of magic. “A dog.”
I snort. “Buddy, remember, Santa can’t bring a dog. He doesn’t want to squish him in his bag.”
My sweet baby pouts. “Fine, a bike.”
“Ohh, I bet that might be what Santa brings. Will you call me in the morning?”
He nods quickly and then blows me a kiss. I do the same as Aviva comes back on the phone. “Where is Evan?”
I shrug. “Out with his family. We’re in the back room so Angie can try on the dress.”
“Nice. Okay. Um… Okay. I guess, just call me tomorrow?”
I make a face at the way she’s acting. “Yeah, I will, weirdo.”
She laughs. “Love ya, kid.”
“Love you.”
I hang up, thinking that was strange, but Aviva can be odd. I look up just as Angie comes out of the bathroom with the dress held up with her hands. I can tell why she wanted to move her wedding to the summertime. This dress is pure lace. It hugs her curves in a mermaid style that fans out around her. I’m in awe as Fallon and Lucy start to tie up the back.
“I don’t know why you were worried it wouldn’t fit, love. It’s a corset back,” her mom says, tying it up. The dress has a deep V front, and it sparkles as she moves.
When we hear a knock at the door, we all look back as Mrs. Adler comes in. Her jaw drops as she clasps her hands in front of her chest. “Oh, Angela. You’re stunning.”
“Isn’t she!” Lucy says, wiping her cheeks. “Gorgeous.”
I watch as Angie slowly looks up into the mirror, her expression so unsure. She runs her hands along her body, pulling at the fabric and then making a face. I know for a fact she’s picking herself apart.
“You look awesome, Angie,” I say, but I don’t think she hears me.
“Do you not like it?” Charlotte asks, and Angie shrugs.
“Maybe if I lose twenty more pounds? You think?” she asks her mom, but before Lucy can answer, Mrs. Adler holds up her hand.
“Angela, look at yourself. You are perfect the way you are. You wear that dress, just as you are, and Owen will probably pass out at the altar.”
Angie looks back over her shoulder at Mrs. Adler. “I could be thinner.”
Mrs. Adler snorts. “So could I, and you don’t see me waiting to be a specific size to live my life.”
Angie presses her lips together.
“Do you love the dress?”
Angie slowly looks back at herself, nodding. “It’s a beautiful dress, my dream dress.”
Elli nods. “Do you love my son?”
Angie turns then. “Yes, of course I do.”
“Do you want to marry him?”
“Yes.”
“The dress fits?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then, what’s the issue?”
Lucy slips her hand in her daughter’s. “She’s right. You’re perfectly made, my love.”
“You are,” I say softly. “Truly.”
Angie glides her hands back down the dress and turns to look at herself in the mirror. I can see the doubt creeping back in, and playfully, I say, “I can go get Owen. He’ll tell ya.”