Page 39 of Don’t Fall for the Billionaire

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Charlotte

I made a new best friend during our wedding journey—Carlos, our wedding planner.

He didn’t take anyone’s shit, and he was brutally honest about everything.

But he was the best, and the only reason he was available on such short notice was because Ashton tripled his rate to back out of another couple’s wedding.

I felt bad, but Carlos assured me that the couple probably wouldn’t make it to the altar anyway.

I tugged at the bodice of the third gown I’d tried on and stepped out of the dressing room. Carlos sat next to Eloise on a velvet bench, legs crossed, sipping the complimentary champagne as if he were the star of a reality show. He spat out his champagne when he saw me.

“Oh no. Absolutely not. You look like you’re auditioning to be in one of Lady Gaga’s videos, honey.” He dramatically waved his hand. “Sequins and puff have their place, but not on your wedding day. No. No. No.” He shook his head.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Melissa said.

“Do you need glasses, darling?” Carlos asked her.

“I agree with Melissa. I think it’s pretty,” I said, staring into the mirror.

With a heavy sigh, Carlos stood up, walked over, and scrutinized me like a jeweler inspecting a fake diamond.

“Pretty? Darling, this dress is shiny. You deserve elegant and timeless. Not Vegas showgirl meets cupcake wrapper. Next!” He shouted.

I went back into the fitting room and looked at Cornelia, the kind woman who had been helping me pick out the gowns. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m used to dealing with wedding planners who think they know everything.” She smirked.

I tried on the fourth dress and stepped out. Carlos clutched his chest.

“No. No. No. You look like a Victorian ghost who haunts bridesmaids—way too much lace. I’m having nightmares already, and so will your guests. If you decide on that gaudy dress, I’ll need to bring sage and a priest to your wedding.”

Eloise laughed, and I rolled my eyes.

“Carlos—”

“Turn your cute little ass around and get back in there.” He waved his hand.

By the time I stepped into the fifth dress, I was dreading his reaction. I wasn’t a fan of this dress, but somehow, I thought he’d love it.

Carlos stood from the bench, walked over, and circled me.

“Hmm. Better. But that neckline? No. It looks like it’s trying to strangle you. Clavicle. We need to show some clavicle!” He turned to Cornelia. “Can we get something with a sweetheart neckline, please? Something that says sexy sophistication instead of Pilgrim chic?”

Eloise and Melissa started laughing, which made me cover my face to mask the laughter that wanted to escape.

“You’re—”

“I know, darling. I’m impossible. But trust me. When we find the one, we’ll both know, and I’ll cry harder than your sexy fiancé. Listen, doll.” He turned to Cornelia again. “You aren’t doing it. I’m sure you’re very good, but you’re missing our vision. Lead me to the dresses and let me look.”

I could tell poor Cornelia was irritated as she huffed and led him to the racks of dresses.

“He is right about that dress. You do look like a pilgrim.” Melissa laughed.

“Try this one, darling.” He pointed to the dress Cornelia was holding. “I’m getting good vibes just looking at it. And I swear I heard it call out your name.” He grinned.

Cornelia helped me into the dress, and instantly, tears filled my eyes when I saw myself in the mirror. A stunning off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved gown with elegant beading. This was it. The dress. The one. It was perfect, and I was too scared to step out of the dressing room.

“What is taking you so long?” Carlos shouted.

I slowly stepped out of the room and onto the platform. Carlos immediately cupped his hand over his mouth while tears filled his eyes.

“That’s it. That’s the one.” He walked over and ran his hand over the fabric. “Charlotte, you look like a timeless, sophisticated princess.”

“I love it so much, Charlotte,” Eloise said.

“So do I,” Melissa said.

Carlos yanked on the sleeves.

“With just a few modifications, this dress will be more perfect than it already is.”

“What modifications?” I furrowed my brows.

“The sleeves. I want hidden snaps or buttons so after the ceremony, we can take them off and make it look like you changed dresses. It’ll be fabulous, darling. Cornelia, can you do that for us?”

“Let me go get our seamstress,” she said.

A few moments later, Cornelia and the seamstress returned. I had no choice but to buy this dress because there wasn’t enough time to order one.

“Yes, I can remove the sleeves, sew on a couple of buttons, and then reattach them. Not a problem.”

“Perfect. I’m saying yes to the dress!” I grinned.

After we tucked Eloise into bed, I grabbed my laptop and curled up on the couch, going over the guest list one last time before sending out the invitations. Ashton walked into the living room with the smug look he always had when he knew he was in trouble.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Going over the guest list one last time.”

“About that. We need to add John and Kitty Corners to the guest list.”

I shifted, and my laptop nearly fell off my lap. “Excuse me? Are you crazy? The woman who struts around Manhattan acting like she owns the damn city? Absolutely not.”

Ashton’s brow arched. “Charlotte?—”

“No. End of discussion.” I shut my laptop forcefully so he knew I was serious.

“She’s insufferable. She told me my pumpkin pies looked ‘quaint.’ Quaint, Ashton.

Like it belonged in a gas station bakery.

That woman enters the fall bake-off, passing off a cheesecake from Holland as if she made it, and you want her at our wedding? She’s a fraud!”

“Not want. Have to.” He sat down on the couch and reclined it back.

“I’m currently working on a business deal with John. If we leave them off the list, it’ll look intentional.”

“It would be intentional.” I reached over and smacked his arm.

“Come on, babe. We can seat them at the far end of the venue. Maybe near the bathrooms.” He grinned.

I narrowed my eyes. “You’re enjoying this. Aren’t you?”

“Only a little,” he said, leaning over and kissing my cheek. “Think of it this way. Every woman needs a Kitty Corners at their wedding to balance things.”

“You literally have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said. “But fine. If she tries to outshine me or makes one remark about our wedding in a negative way, I’m cutting her with the knife we’re using to cut our wedding cake.”

“Deal.” Ashton grinned. He grabbed my laptop and typed in “John & Kitty Corners” onto the list, as if he had just closed the best business deal of his life. With any luck, they’ll already have plans that night and won’t be able to attend. I needed to start praying really hard.