With a grin, she leans into my hand and says, “Yeah, I gotta meet Reese in five. I’m running late,” she says with a guilty grin. “I’ll call you when I’m done. Thanks for last night.”

Leaning over the rail, I kiss her lips and smile as she pulls away. “Anytime. Have fun.”

“I will,” she says with a little wave and then she’s gone. I thought it would be hard for me to go back to sleep but soon I knock back out. When the dinging of my phone wakes me up not even an hour later, I want to be mad, but when I open the text to find my girl in a floor-length, backless blue dress, I couldn’t be mad if I tried. She’s gorgeous, and I love the way the blue looks on her skin. The dress hugs every inch of her, and it’s a mouthwatering sight.

Then I see the text underneath, and as I read, there is no wiping the grin off my face.

Claire: Will you be my date to my uncle and aunt’s wedding if I wear this? And it’s in two weeks so you’ll more than likely get laid afterward.

As I quickly type back, I can’t help but wonder how does she not know that I’d do basically anything for her?

I know I look dumb sitting in a floor-length gown with my phone glued to my hands waiting for a text from Jude, but I have to know if he will go. While I know it’s superearly to ask him to go to a wedding for my overprotective, crazy uncle and my beautiful aunt, he invited me to meet his mom, and also we basically declared that we’re falling in love with each other. And then I fingered myself in front of him. And he came in his boxers. So, I figure asking him to go to a wedding isn’t that weird. Right? Ah! I don’t know; he isn’t answering me!

Letting my arms fall on my legs against the silky fabric of the royal blue bridesmaid dress, I let out a frustrated breath. I do love this dress, though. I wasn’t sure when Reese pulled it out, but now that it’s on me, I love it. It’s very formfitting all the way to my knees then it goes out in beautiful layers of fabric in a mermaid style. The back goes down to right above my butt, but then the top has this beautiful lace that comes along my shoulders and chest, giving a peekaboo of my chest, but in a very classy and beautiful way. I thought when I came here today that I was going to be wearing some crap dress, but Reese had other plans. It’s a gorgeous dress and I know I should be admiring it, but I can’t help but wonder what the hell is taking so long to answer my text! He can’t be asleep! Or crap, maybe he is?

Ugh! I’m about to toss my damn phone and figure this is his way of saying no when a text comes through.

Hey Jude: I would go with u if all that wasn’t in play. All u have to do is ask. But btw, u look crazy hot in that dress.

Smiling like a complete dork, I type:

Me: Fine, will u, Jude Sinclair, be my date to my crazy uncle and aunt’s impromptu wedding? And btw, thanks. I thought u might like it.

Hey Jude: Yes. I would love to. Crazy uncle and all.

Before I can type back, another text comes through.

Hey Jude: And btw, I can’t wait to peel that dress off ur sexy body.

Feeling all hot, I type back:

Thank u. We’ll talk details later.

Then I send another one.

And btw, I can’t wait for u to do just that.

Hey Jude: btw…I miss u.

Me: btw… I miss u more.

A dreamy grin comes across my face as I lean on my hand, staring at his words. I’ve never been one to daydream, but staring at the simple words, I find myself imagining our life together in the future. Him playing in the NHL while I cheer him on after getting done at the studio that I’ll have, maybe being pregnant and being a big, happy family…

“What are you doing?”

I look up to find Reese coming toward me, and my mouth promptly drops to the ground.

“Oh, Reese,” I gasp, holding back the tears as she walks up on the little platform. She’s gorgeous. That’s all I can say. Simply stunning. When she told me her dress was amazing, she wasn’t lying. With a bright, happy grin on her face, she stands tall in a sheer lace dress with a silk underlay. It’s long-sleeved with the lace coming along her arms to her fingers in a royal, classy way. The front dips all the way down to the middle of her chest, showing a beautiful but elegant view of her breasts. I know that will be Phillip’s favorite part, but then I see the back. Breathtaking. Unlike my plain back, her gorgeous black tree tattoo covers her whole back and is on display since the dress is completely backless. The lace molds to her skin like it was meant to be there and then splays along the floor, making her look like a beautiful princess.

A lady walks behind her, laying the back of the dress out, and I take in every single, beautiful detail. The diamond studded belt, the birdcage veil, the sheer elegance of the dress. It’s stunning. She’s stunning.

“God, Reese, you’re gorgeous,” I breathe as tears well up in my eyes. “So gorgeous.”

Standing, I let my hand fall to my side and she grins at me, holding in her own tears. “Thank you, Claire. I was hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”

“I do.”

“Good, I love your dress too. We’re getting it.”

“Okay,” I say, knowing that she’s right, but I can’t take my eyes off her. I’ve seen her every way, from dolled up to the nines to looking like bear crap with the flu, and she’s always been gorgeous. But seeing her like this, a bride, is mind-blowing. She never wanted this. She never wanted to be tied down to a guy, but she is, and she loves him. And she loves me, the troubled teen who was hell-bent on ruining them all. She never stopped loving me too. I think it was always love at first sight for the both of us. She was my person and I am hers. I may tease her about this wedding, but I’m so excited I can’t contain it.

My two favorite people are becoming one. It gives me hope, really, that not all people are shit. They show me the meaning of love, that people stick things out even when they don’t want to, and I’m so grateful to be there every step of the way. I’m scared shitless of doing this with Jude. Completely trusting him… But I don’t think there is another way. If he breaks my heart, cheats on me, and leaves me, then at least I’ll know I tried. Phillip and Reese tried, and look, now she’s in a wedding dress. You just have to try.

I look back at Reese and her hands come up to her stomach as she takes in a deep breath, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “Do you think Phillip will love it?”