Page 67 of Jain

“You’ve lost more weight, Jain,” Annette scolded, helping me step into the beautiful gown I’d selected a few months back when everything had seemed perfect. The dress still fit, but not the way Annette would have liked. Nevertheless, she pulled it in and pinned it in places before draping it around the floor around my feet. She lifted it, sliding on some heeled ivory shoes in my size, before nodding with satisfaction.

“Beautiful. Ready?” Annette whispered, and I nodded.

She threw open the doors, and my friends gasped, having not seen the dress before. Of course, I’d known I was having the wedding locally, but I hadn’t expected my friends to see it until the big day. Kate and my mum were crying, whilst Sarah just stared at me open-mouthed.

“You have seen what you look like, right?” Sarah managed to choke out as I nodded anxiously.

“Do you like it?” I asked, peering at her.

“No. Iloveit.” Sarah smiled as Kate handed her a tissue. “I’m not crying, Kate. Jain doesn’t look very happy,” she pointed out, and I froze.

Mum lifted her eyes to mine as Kate hissed at Sarah to be quiet.

“Jain? Are you alright? You do look a little off...” Mum trailed off as I took a deep breath.

“I’m fine, just overwhelmed,” I said reassuringly, gazing over my back to see the dress in the mirror.

A bride stared back at me, and I noticed that she didn’t look like the others in the magazines.

“That’s completely natural, don’t worry. Tiara?” Annette kindly smiled as Anya ran up to me. She tugged at my hand, and I leaned down to hear her.

“Stop whispering, Anya, it’s rude,” Kate chided as I waved her off.

I thought it was endearing that Anya liked to communicate privately.

“Do you have a Prince Charming?”

My stomach flipped over at her innocent words, and I nodded.

“I think so. What does a Prince Charming look like?” I asked as Sarah watched me carefully.

“He can look any way. Eric had dark hair, but I guess he could have any colour you want. He just has to make you happy, forever and ever.” She smiled, her hands on my cheeks as she looked at me in awe. “Because you look like a princess. You look like Belle,” Anya giggled, and I had to blink away tears.

“Happily ever after,” I whispered, and she nodded.

“Yup. Then you can go and live in a castle and have lots of dogs.”

We all started laughing then, to her dismay. She put her hands on her hips and pouted before telling us all off.

“When I grow up, I’m going to marry my Prince Charming, and we will live in a castle near the forest and live happily ever after. You’ll see.”

I caught Sarah watching me again, broadly smiling when I looked at her. I lifted an eyebrow inquisitively before walking back to get changed. Afterwards, we would all head to the pub, and my mum had offered to have Anya for Kate and Harley.

“With any luck, I’ll be having my grandbabies soon.”Mum chuckled, winking at me pointedly. We said goodbye and made our way to the pub. As soon as we walked in, Harley greeted me, picking me up, and twirled me around.

“Hey, Harls.” I smiled as he held me back and let out a wolf whistle.

“Still beautiful, I see! So where’s hubby to be?” Harley asked, glancing around us as I shrugged.

“Working. Sorry, Julian is busy at the minute, especially with the wedding being so soon.”

Harley nodded before exchanging a look with Kate. It was odd seeing him kiss her on the lips before pulling her onto his lap.

I loved them together, though.

“So, have you told them?” Harley grinned as Sarah headed to the bar to get our drinks. He kissed Kate’s hand as she groaned, rolling her eyes at me in mock despair.

“No...”