Chapter Thirty: Whitley
I stood in front of my wedding dress, just staring at it. My heart had been racing ever since Layton’s little visit a few minutes ago.
“Okay. Hair, check! Makeup, check, check! Sexy-ass lingerie, check, check, check! The last thing is the wedding dress, my dear,” Courtney said as she walked up next to me.
I looked around at Courtney, Stacey, and Jen. They were all dressed in silver column strapless knee-length dresses. There was just enough of a ruffle on them to make them look elegant, but they were super comfortable. The way the dress fit Courtney and her hourglass figure was sure to drive both Mitch and Reed crazy.
I turned back and watched as my mother walked up to me and smiled. “Can I help you put it on?”
I smiled and nodded.
I had flown back up to New York to go dress shopping with my mother. I closed my eyes and thought about the moment we found this dress.
New York
Four Months Earlier
When my mother held up the Sophia Tolli dress, I scrunched up my nose.
“Mom, the top is silver. I know I said white and silver, but I didn’t mean my dress. ”
“Just try it on for me. Please. Humor your mother. ”
I put it on, and when I turned around and looked in the mirror, I instantly started crying. It was beautiful. The Paris satin and Italian silk were a perfect combination. The sweetheart neckline highlighted the stunning silver bodice, and the crystal and pearl brooches were stunning and added just the right touch. They would shimmer beautifully in all of the candlelight. The draped Paris satin skirt had side pick-ups. The chapel-length train was breathtaking and would look perfect pinned up. I turned and looked at the detachable back silver bodice. It looked so old-fashioned.
It was so me that it was unreal. I glanced over toward my mother, who was crying.
I wiped my tears away and nodded. “Oh, Mom…” I began sobbing again. “It’s breathtaking. Do you think Layton will like it?” I turned back and looked at mysel
f in the mirror.
She let out a laugh and walked up to me. She put her chin on my shoulder. “You look like a princess. I just can’t believe it. ”
“I know, Mom. It’s the most beautiful dress ever. ”
My mother shook her head. “No, that’s not it. ” The tears rolled down her face. “I can’t wait to tell everyone I picked it out, and you loved it! Score one for mom. ”
My mouth dropped open, and I just looked at her in the mirror. We both busted out laughing, and then I told the saleslady I would take the dress.
“Where are you, Whitley?” my mother asked as she held my dress up in front of me.
I smiled. “Thinking about the day we found this dress. ”
My mother raised her eyebrows and chuckled. “Come on, honey, we’re running out of time. ”
By the time everyone got done fussing over my hair and makeup after the dress was on, I was ready to push all of them away from me.
“It’s fine! Let’s just go. ” I slipped on my Louboutin shoes.
I turned and looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I was wearing my grandmother’s pin in my hair, my something old and borrowed. I had on diamond drop earrings that were a gift from my parents, and a simple silver diamond bracelet that Layton had given to me after the rehearsal dinner last night.
My mother tucked a blue hankie inside my corset and smiled. “Your father loved finding this little surprise,” she said as she winked.
I felt my face blush as I quickly looked away.
I couldn’t wait for Layton to see the lingerie I had on under the dress. Courtney had given it to me at the bridal shower, and I’d actually blushed when I opened it up in front of everyone. The fact that the lace was see-through was going to drive Layton mad.
I took one last deep breath and turned toward everyone. I smiled. “Let’s do this shit!”