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Chapter twenty-five

Cecilia

One, two, three, four, I declare a nerf gun war!

~ One Month Later / March ~

“Did she tell you if she was on her way?” Em asks while pouring herself a glass of wine. Morgan and I watch her warily since it’s only 10:30 in the morning. Em looks up, holding the bottle. “You guys want some?”

Morgan flicks her gaze my way quickly, then back to Emma. “No, we’re good, thanks. And yes, Aubrey texted me twenty minutes ago saying she was getting in an Uber. She should be here soon,” I tell her, still fixated on the wine glass as she brings it to her lips and takes a huge gulp.

Aubrey is Greyson’s younger sister. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times already, and we seemed to bond. But she’s a bit shy, so it’s hard to get her talking sometimes.

Like me, she’s new around here, moved to New York right after Christmas for the spring semester at New York University. From what I’ve gathered, she’s staying with Ford for the meantime and doesn’t really know anyone here except for some of the players.

I thought asking her to join the bridal party would be a good way to bring her out of her shell and get to know her better. Also, Silas has one best man and two groomsmen, so it made perfect sense to have a second bridesmaid.

“Em… it’s ten in the morning. Why are you drinking?” I ask cautiously.

“Isn’t that why you invited me over? You think they won’t be serving champagne at the bridal salon?” she says, rolling her eyes. Okay, she’s in a mood.

I look over at Morgan, who shrugs, clearly not knowing what’s going on either.

“First of all, no. I had you come over because we’re going dress shopping soon. You know? For my wedding. And second, yes, they will. But it’ll be noon by then! Now tell us what the hell is going on, you’re acting weird,” I tell her, getting worried.

“Ugh! I don’t know what’s going on, that’s the problem!” she whines, folding her arms over the kitchen island and throwing her head down.

We’re currently standing in my kitchen, waiting for Aubrey to arrive so that we can all ride together to the bridal store.

It’s funny, there are so many seating options just a few feet away from us in the living room, yet we always end up standing around the kitchen island.

Although, Morgan is sitting in one of the high barstools while I’m standing at the end of the island, and Emma is in front of it with the stove behind her.

Morgan reaches a hand across the marble and lays it delicately on Emma’s arm. “Talk to us, whatever it is, we can help you sort it out.”

Em lifts her head and takes a deep breath. “Okay, so you know the guy I’ve been seeing since January? He called me his girlfriend...”

“Okay... and what’s the problem?” I ask, furrowing my brows.

“You know me, I don’t do the whole girlfriend/boyfriend thing. But I like him, and it’s freaking me out because I don’t know what to do.” She passes her hands through her hair, then pulls on the ends before letting go and downing the rest of her wine.

“Well, here’s a question. Do you plan on seeing someone else?” Morgan asks tentatively.

“No. Honestly, since we really started seeing each other more regularly, I haven’t thought about or been interested in anyone else,” she says, shaking her head.

“That’s good then, and do you think he has potential?” Morg questions.

“Yeah, I think so. He’s really sweet and kind, which isn’t usually my type.

But he’s so charming it just wore me down.

He’s a lawyer and works with my dad. So I know he’s secure financially and that my parents would love him for me.

” She points to me. “Which you know is a big deal. No one is ever good enough for their precious little girl.” She rolls her eyes.

“That is true.” I chuckle. “Okay, so if you like him and you think there could be more, then see it out. The worst thing that could happen is finding out that you aren’t a good match, breaking it off, and moving on. Having a boyfriend isn’t a bad thing, you know?”

“I know, but what if he gets... needy. You know I hate clingy men.” Emma shudders at the thought, which makes us laugh.

Morgan pipes in, “Lawyers are usually pretty busy and work focused people, so I don’t think he would be. But if he is, let him know it’s not something you like. Communication is key, certainly in new relationships when you’re still getting to know each other. ”

The doorbell rings at that moment, making Milo bark once, announcing someone’s arrival. I leave the girls and walk over to the front door, swinging it open to find Aubrey looking out of her element on the front steps.

She’s a beautiful girl, with ash blonde wavy hair that runs down her back. A splatter of freckles covers her cute little turned-up nose, her pale brown eyes big and innocent.

“Hey, sweetie! You didn’t need to ring. You could have just let yourself in.

Come, come. We’re in the kitchen. One of us is doing a bit of day drinking, or would it be morning drinking?

I don’t know, but that’s what you’ve missed,” I tell her as she walks in, removing her boots and coat and following me to the kitchen.

She giggles quietly. “Thank you for inviting me.” Her voice is so quiet, you have the urge to lean in to hear her better when she talks. That won’t do, we’ll work on loosening her up a little today.

“You’re one of my bridesmaids, of course, I needed you here today. We’re gonna have so much fun!”

“Hey, Aubrey. It’s lovely to see you again,” Morg says as she comes in to hug her.

“Hey, girl! Want one?” Emma asks, lifting her second glass of wine in the air. “Wait, how old are you? Are you even allowed?”

“I’m twenty. So technically, no,” Aubrey says with a sheepish giggle.

Emma studies her for a moment, then shrugs and pours her a glass. “Eh, we’ve all gotten drunk before our twenties.”

“We are not getting drunk. We have dresses to try on, and I’d like to have a clear mind when making a decision.” I point my finger at Emma.

“Oh, come on! You’re no fun. Don’t be turning into an old married woman already!

This is our time to enjoy the moment. Let loose a little and make some last memories as a Rose before you become Mrs. Hayes.

The boys are out of town for the weekend, so let’s make it a girls’ weekend!

What do you say?” Em pleads, looking at every one of us with a big smile and nodding her head, hoping to convince us.

I turn to Morgan who smiles, then to Aubrey who simply shrugs and takes a sip from her glass. I roll my eyes and address Emma. “Fine. Just one glass, though! Then we’re going to the bridal salon and picking out dresses. Then we can go crazy.”

Morg and Em both cheer loudly, causing Milo to howl in response, which makes Aubrey laugh.

And of course, I join in as well. Em fills a glass for me and Morgan, and we toast to a crazy girls’ weekend.

Then once we’re done, we head out the front door to the personal driver Em got us since we’ve all had a drink. The perks of being rich, she stated.

Once at the bridal shop, our bridal consultant, Linda, guides us to a private sitting room. She then asks me about myself, Silas, and how we met, claiming it helps her better visualize the perfect dress for the type of love we share.

When she asked if there were specifics with the dress I would like, I told her no. In all honesty, I have no idea what kind of dress I want, only that it must be white and that my bridal party will be in champagne gold.

Two hours later, I’ve tried on five dresses, four of which were a no-go from the start, and one that I liked but wasn’t completely in love with.

Linda put it right back on the rack, saying she wouldn’t sell me something that didn’t make my heart feel the same way my future husband does. I agree with her.

For the bridesmaid and maid of honor, it took us less than twenty minutes to settle on a dress.

The minute we all saw it, we knew it was perfect.

A beautiful long satin champagne-colored dress with a slit on the right side, a V-neckline, and inch-thick straps running down the back, giving a backless look.

There’s a wide band around the rib cage to give a bit more shape and support to the breasts, which also helps make them look bigger.

The girls were quite happy about that. The dresses will be paired with gold strappy stilettos, although we’ll have to figure out something for the backyard. Walking on grass in heels is no fun.

I’m in the changing room when Linda comes back with a huge gown behind her back and a big goofy smile on her face.

“I don’t want you to see it. Marcus, my colleague, and I will help put it on, but you can’t peek.

I think this may be the one, and I want you to fully experience the surprise when you see it.

Just like when you met your Silas.” Her comment makes tears rise in my eyes, and I quickly blink them away.

My hands tremble slightly as I help her secure a blindfold over my eyes. Taking deep, calming breaths, I let them manipulate me like a puppet as they get me into the dress.

It’s hard to tell what everything is without seeing, but from what I can feel, the dress appears to be a lace ball gown. There are also long sleeves that start at the edge of my shoulders, but I can still feel air passing through it, so it must also be lace.

“Okay, we’re ready. We’ll guide you by the hands back to the sitting room,” Linda informs me as she fluffs out my hair.

I take both their hands and follow them out blindly. I know the moment we’re back with my friends because the gasps that leave their mouths can be heard from miles away, and it makes the tears in my eyes quickly resurface.

“Oh my God, Cece…” Emma says, emotions filling her voice.

“You look absolutely gorgeous, sweetie. It was made for you,” Morg adds in genuinely .

“They’re right, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful dress.” Aubrey’s quiet voice filters through, filled with wonder.