Built For Her

“You’re not shiny and new like Ginny is. Plus, it’s like we get two of her with Gabi.”

We all laugh, and I look at myself in the mirror. This is probably the tenth dress I’ve tried on, but it might be my favorite. It could use a few alterations and I’m not crazy about the cap sleeves. But with a few changes it could be perfect. I thought I’d slide a dress on and it would be the dress. But so far nothing has been exactly perfect.

Gabi grabs another slice of cake and sits back on the long sofa. I do a twirl on the small stage in front of the mirrors and Gabi points at me with her fork.

“I don’t like the sleeves. And I’m not convinced the mermaid style is the best for you. You’re too short.”

“You wore a mermaid style,” I remind her, but she shrugs.

“I’m taller.”

“By an inch,” I remind her. She just winks at me as she takes another huge bite of cake.

“And what do we think of this one?” Bridget asks as she enters the room with her three assistants. “Oh, I’m not sure about those sleeves.” She appraises me as she circles the platform. “And we might need to stay away from the mermaid style.”

“Told ya,” Gabi mumbles around a mouthful of icing.

“Don’t worry, Ginny, we’ve got an entire fleet of gowns, and I’ve been saving one that I think would be perfect,” Bridget says, clapping her hands together.

“Maybe she should have brought that out first,” Lynn loudly whispers to Gabi, and they both fall into giggles.

“Here. I’ll help you get out of this one,” Steph offers as she comes over and takes my hand to steady me as I step off the stage.

A bell rings softly, and Bridget perks up. “That will be lunch. Your two very instructive men waiting outside informed us that we would need to feed you regularly.”

“God, I love my husband,” Gabi says, and I snort.

“We’ll go grab the catering and set up for you. If you like you can just slip on your robe for the time being. I think a small break would give everyone fresh eyes.”

Bridget leaves our lounge area, and her silent assistants follow her closely. I step into the dressing room and Steph comes in with me and closes the curtain behind her.

“Thank you so much for making this trip. I know it wasn’t easy and it took a lot for you to come last time,” I offer, but Steph waves me off.

“Don’t thank me. This is such a special day and I’m so glad to be a part of it. Thank you for inviting me.” She takes my hand and lifts it so she can look at the ring. “You are so special to all of us. I’m so happy Barrett found you and gave you this beautiful ring. It deserves to be loved all over again.”

“It’s so perfect, just like Barrett,” I say, and Steph laughs.

“Boy, he’s got you fooled. Now turn around and let me get you out of this thing. And just a little bit of advice, get something with a zipper. My dress was ruined on our wedding night because I thought the buttons looked classy. Turns out it was just an obstacle for my very impatient groom.”

We fall into fits of giggles until the curtain is yanked back.

“And how did John feel about being sloppy seconds?” Mark’s cold voice pierces our little bubble of happiness and Steph goes rigid beside me. “Or did you keep that our little secret?”

I think for a split second about calling for Barrett, but he and Neal are outside and there’s no way he could hear me. Gabi and Lynn are just on the other side of the wall in the other room. I could scream and they’d come running.

“Don’t even think about it,” Mark says, flashing a knife in his hand. “You little bitches stay quiet or you’ll be sorry.”

Steph hasn’t made a sound and I think she might be in shock. I raise my hands and take a step forward; my only thought is to protect her from this monster who hurt her once already. Someone will come looking for us any minute now. I just have to keep him distracted and calm until then.

“What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.

“You ruined my life,” he spits, not answer the question. “The both of you.”

It’s then I truly notice him for the first time. His clothes are dirty and his hands are covered in filth. His hair is slicked back, but it could be because he hasn’t been washing it. But the worst part is his face. He hasn’t shaved in weeks and his eyes are bloodshot. His pupils are as big as saucers and I wonder what kind of drug he’s on. He’s completely lost it, and he looks like he’s been living under a bridge. The police said he had disappeared, so maybe that’s where he’s been.