Page 178 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“If it's hard getting into it, don’t you think it’s gonna be even more difficult to take off?” I ask with a cheeky grin as we step in and notice she’s frazzled, trying to reach the beautiful buttons that go up the back.

“Mason will find a way, trust me.” Sophie drops her arms, giving them a rest. “It’s almost worse than putting on a sports bra after taking a shower and being damp.”

“Let me help,” Lennon gently tells her, using her calming mom voice.

“The only thing worse than putting on a sports bra is taking it off after dancing for three hours. It literally rolls up my back and?—”

“Almost done,” Lennon interrupts, changing the subject as she clasps each button.

Sophie looks at us with tears in her eyes. “I just noticed your dresses. They’re beautiful. You both look so good.”

“Because we take after you.”

“The red is perfect,” Lennon states.

“It’s gonna be a Hallmark wedding, for sure!” I clap my hands, excited to celebrate Christmas soon.

It brings back so many good memories from last year after I first moved into the house. Sophie and I would bake cookies and have all night watch-a-thons together. Eventually, after she and Mason get married, they’ll move, and I’m going to miss that special bonding time we had together.

“What?” Sophie notices my change in mood.

I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m just gonna miss you at home.”

“Don’t you dare start that. I’m already getting emotional.” Sophie fans her face as if that’s ever helped stop the tears.

“You two better stop,” Lennon chimes in. “Look at you, Soph. You’re gorgeous.”

We stare in awe. The cream-colored dress has a crystal beaded waistband, illusion sleeves, and a plunging neckline showing just enough skin to be sexy but not scandalous. “You look like a Disney princess,” I whisper.

“Because I am.” Sophie snickers, then looks back and forth between Lennon and me. “I wish Mom were here.”

“She would’ve come.” Lennon moves Sophie’s long brown hair off her shoulder, showing off the sheer sleeves.

“I know, it just seemed ridiculous to have her travel here for a wedding dress try-on and all that. Plus, I have you two.”

“You’ll always have us, Soph. Always. Now, let’s FaceTime Mom so she can see us all.” We move out of the dressing room where there are more space and mirrors, and I grab Sophie’s phone to call our parents. There are too many pictures to be taken with mine. After we say our hellos and I flip the camera around so they can see Sophie in her beautiful wedding gown, I hand the phone to Lennon and pull out mine. It’s such an important memory to capture, and I make sure to snag all the best angles. I swear any time my sisters have big life events,I become the family photographer, but I don’t mind. If for some reason dancing doesn’t work out, I may have found an alternative career.

“I want to see all three of you together,” Mom says and Mel comes over and takes the phone and holds it so all of us are in the frame.

“Wow, my girls. I’m so proud,” she says, and I can tell she’s choking up.

“You’re gonna make the most beautiful bride, Soph. We can’t wait,” Dad adds with a big toothy grin. My heart is so warm as I look at my sisters laughing and chatting. Moving to Sacramento to be with them is still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. It sits right next to being relentless with Liam.

After final checks are made on measurements and everything seems to fit perfectly, we’re all given the talk to maintain our weight before the wedding. “Last minute alterations cause unnecessary stress,” Mel reminds us as we sign our paperwork and the gowns are released to us.

“So that means no getting knocked up, Lennon,” I tease.

“Me?” she screeches. “You’re one to talk. Are you on even birth control?”

“Oh my God,” Sophie groans, shaking her head. “Can we just agree everyone waits until after the wedding to get pregnant?”

“I’m waiting like ten years, so fine by me,” I say. I love my niece and nephew, but I’m way too young to be thinking about having kids. Though I really want the marriage and babies life with Liam, we have plenty of time and don’t need to rush for that.

On the way out, the three of us are nothing but smiles.

“Mimosas and massage time?” Lennon asks, looping one arm in mine and the other in Sophie’s.

“Aren’t you still breastfeeding?” I ask incredulously.