“Sometimes a four.” I don’t tell her that when it’s my time of the month I can push an eight. Thankfully we’re not there yet.
“Have a look and let me know what you want to try on. Is it just you?”
I look around, wondering if people followed me in. I nod. “Like I said, this is a spur of the moment browsing session.”
The clerk seems to buy my excuse and lets me look through the gowns without being bothered. The first set that I come to are so intricate and heavy I can’t imagine that they’re at all comfortable. I think that’s what I’d want; something that’s comfortable yet drastically different from what I had before.
“Cinderella,” I mutter to myself.
“Oh, her dress is over here,” the sales clerk speaks up, causing me to jump. She takes my hand, as if we’re suddenly best friends, and pulls me toward the back of the store. Before my eyes a dress is pulled from the rack and set out before me.
“This is an off white version which I find a bit classier.”
I run my fingers over the beadwork and my hand down over the layers and layers of tulle. I can picture myself being spun around on the dance floor in this dress.
“May I try it on?”
“Of course.” She leads me to the dressing room, which is larger than most, and gives me privacy. Once I’ve stepped into the dress it’s like my world has shifted on its axis. “Let me fix the back for you.” She appears again, out of thin air, to clamp me into the dress before guiding me out to the pedestal so I can see myself in the wall of mirrors.
I gasp at the vision in front of me. My hair is already up with a few tendrils hanging down, framing my face. The make-up I’m wearing is natural and in soft hues, and my already tanned skin is the perfect tone to make the dress stand out.
“Your fiancé won’t be able to take his eyes off of you all night long.”
“He’s my husband, actually. We sort of eloped and now we’re planning a wedding.”
The clerk stands behind me, tugging the dress in places, making sure everything is lined up. “Wait, I know you.”
As my heart speeds up, I do the only thing I can think and continue to focus on the dress instead of meeting her gaze through the mirror. If I act like it’s no big deal, maybe she won’t make it one.
“You guys haven’t been in the news since you said yes during the Helen show. My friends and I thought maybe you changed your mind backstage.”
I shake my head and tell her that’s not the case.
“What brings you to Daphne?”
“We like the laid back life,” I tell her. I imagine people know that movies are filmed here, but maybe not. Either way, I’m not telling her that Josh is here working. The last thing I want is for him to be stalked.
“So you guys are getting married?”
“Again,” I tell her, afraid I’ve already said too much. I can’t take it back now, though. If she had recognized me earlier, maybe I’d have been a bit tighter lipped.
“Well I’m happy for you. I watched the show and was rooting for you guys the whole time. Between you and me, I’m so happy he dumped that harlot, Jules Maxwell. She’s never been anything but trouble for him.”
You and me both, I think, but I can’t say it. Even I know when it’s best not to comment on Jules. What I say about her in my suite is another story. So I smile softly and pretend to examine the dress a bit more by turning to see the side views.
“You’re very beautiful.”
“Thanks. I’ll take the dress.”
“You’ll be stunning. Let me get your measurements and we’ll have it back to you in six weeks.”
“Actually,” I say, grabbing her arm before she leaves, “can I just buy it today, as is? I don’t know when I’ll need it or where I’ll be.”
Her face falls. I’m sure she was thinking that her store would get some media attention. For all I know she would’ve had the media here when I came back to pick it up.
“Yes, of course. Go ahead and change and I’ll have it packaged up for you.”
Once she helps me out of the dress, I give it back to her. Her earlier cheeriness is gone, making me wonder if I’m right about her wanting some attention or whether it’s just my paranoia. After I’m out of the dressing room I head to the counter, lingering around because she’s with another client.