Page 23 of Accidentally Hitched (Unintentionally Yours #1)

“Something like that.”

Roses and Rhinestones is a tiny little parlor just up the street in the heart of Southend. As soon as we walk in we are greeted by an eccentric man dressed in all black with a measuring tape draped around his neck.

“Ladies! Welcome to Roses and Rhinestones, or R&R as I like to call it,” his laugh is a high-pitched flutter that is about two octaves too high for all the energy I don’t have right now.

While I want to support my sister on her big day, it’s hard to focus on wedding gown cuts when all I can think about is the moving boxes in my house.

Speaking of that…when did he say they were coming back? Fuck. I should text Callum.

“Miss?” the man asks, and I look up, realizing he is talking to me.

“Oh, sorry. I was just…”

“On the phone with her boss, I am sure,” Kate smiles but there is irritation in her tone. “Don’t mind my sister who is obviously too busy to be my maid of honor.”

I shove my phone in my purse with a tight smile and give my attention to the guy, avoiding eye contact with Kate. “I’m sorry. What did you need from me?”

“I was asking if you want a mimosa.”

“Oh! Hell yes. I mean yes please.”

I can literally feel the disapproval radiating off of my sister in hot waves, but I choose to ignore it. We spend the next hours trying on bridesmaid dresses, parading back and forth for Kate who is on her third mimosa and honestly getting very hangry.

“I just can’t decide if I like the ruffles,” she waves her hand around.

“I mean they’re cute. But–” She trails off and what she really means is, they looks cute on the other two girls who are smaller than I was in the 8th grade and then back at me, her mouth scrunching as if to say, ‘God, Amanda, why do you have to be so difficult on MY day?’.

“I mean, a lot of the time the maid of honor wears something slightly different than the rest of the bridesmaids,” the guy chimes in and honestly, I could kiss him right now. I don’t think he’d be into it though.

“That’s true,” I agree with him.

Kate nods her head side to side as she thinks about what to do with the problem that is me. “I suppose we could try another more flattering cut for Amanda.”

I force a smile paired with her famous nose crinkle, though if I had to guess it looks more hostile than cute. “Great!”

I storm towards the fitting rooms and the guy, Reggie I think his name is, follows me with a pale-yellow dress in hand. “This should be much better,” he reassures me, hanging it on the wall and helping me unzip the monstrosity that is the dress she wanted me to wear.

“If I am being honest,” he whispered with over exaggerated mouthing, “This dress is difficult on most people. The ruffle on the bust only looks good if you’re flat chested. And you, my dear, are quite blessed with the opposite. Cheers, honey.”

“I look like an accent lamp,” I say flatly and Reggie spits out a laugh.

I smile and grab my phone. My heart dips in my chest. There’s a text from Callum.

Callum- Did the boxes arrive? I hope it wasn’t an inconvenience.

Amanda- I got them. But I’m not really sure where to start…

Callum- Don’t worry. I’ll send someone over later to help you decide what to pack. He’s my go to and he knows how to organize when you’re split between two homes. I’ve done it before. A lot…

I’m sure he has, what with his multiple properties peppered throughout the city.

I move accordingly while Reggie helps me into the other dress, which by the way, is far more flattering.

It’s a halter instead of a strapless and the waistline pulls everything together, higher in front, lower in the back, making my ass look great.

“Now this dress was made for you.” Reggie waves an arm in the air with a finger snap. I have to admit, I don’t hate it. “Give me one minute while I snag the heels.”

Callum- Hope you’re enjoying your day off. Because soon we’ll be headed to Nashville which is a ballpark of its own for music.

Amanda- Sounds great. I’m currently stuck at a bridal shop trying on maid of honor dresses. The way my sister is parading me, you’d think I was in the auction this time.

Callum- Any bidders?

Amanda- Not yet.

Callum- Maybe you need a different judge.

“Got the shoes!” Reggie comes back inside the curtain and sets the box down, pulling out all the tissue paper. Meanwhile, I snap a photo of the dress in the mirror and send it to him.

“Here you go Cinderella,” Reggie helps me slip into the shoes and I make a mental note to come back here if I ever decide to get married. Again. For real. On purpose.

Whatever.

I walk out to the platform. Kate and her girls are all slouching in their chairs, obviously bored out of their minds waiting for me. But Kate sits up straight when she sees me. “Oh. Okay. I mean that’s not what I had in mind, but I guess it works. Let’s go get something to eat. I’m exhausted.”

I sigh and make my way back to the fitting room. Once inside, I look at my reflection. Honestly, Reggie hit the nail on the head. I wouldn’t typically choose this color but it’s a very beautiful dress. Maybe too beautiful.

I’m about to undo the back when my phone buzzes again.

Callum- You’re fucking stunning.

I smile and save the message in my phone.