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“Hey Dani-girl. What are you up to?”

“I’m here getting fitted for a dress for this weekend. Miles’s mom is throwing a big party we’re attending.” My heart is cracking all over again as I realize how many lies have gone into this relationship.

“That sounds so fun. I’m sure you’ll look beautiful. What color is the dress?”

I try to remember from the fitting we had several weeks ago. “I think it’s like a magenta, or a teal color.”

“Dani, I hate to tell you, but those are two completely different colors.” She’s chuckling and I can’t help but join in.

“I know, Mom. It’s been a while since I saw it.”

“Well, I don’t want to keep you too long, I just thought I’d call and see if you’re free at the end of August. I think it’s the twenty-eighth.”

I frown, confused since my mom usually just invites me to things instead of seeing if I’m available.

“I don’t think I have anything. Why?”

“Your sisters and I thought we’d throw you a bridal shower. Sami’s already designed the invitations, we just wanted to see if you had any other fancy events before we start sending them out.”

I swallow hard, fighting back the tears that surge. It’s all too real in my life, all except for the pretense of being Miles’s future wife.

I swipe at the tears and nod. “Um, I’ll have to check and get back to you. Hold off on sending anything out just yet.”

“Sounds good. Let me know after this weekend so we can get the ball rolling.”

We say our goodbyes and right now I wish I wasn’t sitting in the main part of the mall. Things had seemed so easy at the beginning and now every thing is a complicated mess.

“Okay, Dani,” Sonia says, carrying a garment bag. “Let’s get you ready for the ball.”

I laugh, the sound coming out more like the hee-haw of a donkey after all the silent heartache flooding through me. It doesn’t take long for the dress to go on and for me to step out for inspection.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” Sonia says, walking in a circle around me. I stare into the mirror, taking in the teal color of the dress. It’s got gems and sequins throughout, the neckline rising to my throat and the fabric reaching the edge of my shoulders. The dress goes to the floor, the heavier fabric draping the rest of my body. I’m amazed at how this one piece can fit so well.

I take in shallow breaths, trying to make my head and my heart stop fighting over all that’s going on in my life. I just need to make it through this weekend. Then I can dissolve into a puddle of tears and hopefully, eventually laugh at what my life has come to.

“Thank you, Sonia.”

She walks over and takes my hands in hers. “Miles is a lucky man to have someone like you at his side.”

I shake my head, the tears threatening to flow again. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for all this.”

Sonia frowns. “You’ll be fine. You’re so strong and Miles can’t stop talking about how great you are.”

“He can’t?” I step down from the small platform where I’ve been modeling the dress and Sonia helps me undo the back before I walk into the dressing room again.

“He was just in here this morning getting his tux ready. Apparently he took out your ex-boyfriend?” She smiles, her eyes practically dancing.

I laugh, feeling a small release from everything that’s happened over the past several days. “That he did. He talked to you about all this?”

“Of course. He likes to chat while we get him ready for events. I think it’s hard when his mom doesn’t listen like he wants her to.”

Her words echo in my brain a few times as I change back into my jeans and blouse.

“Thank you, for everything, Sonia.” It feels almost like a forever goodbye and my heart squeezes.

“Of course. Let me know when you’re in need of some more clothes. We start going through the fall wardrobes in a couple weeks and I can get you all set up.”

I walk out with the dress bag on my arm and tears streaming down my cheeks. As amazing as this experience has been, even with the few bumps along the way, I’m going to miss it.