Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)

The door opens, and I step back to give her space. She walks to the platforms in the middle of the walls of mirrors and takes her spot.

“Jamie,” I breathe, because she looks like a princess. The dress is white with spaghetti straps and a form-fitting bodice that flows out starting at her thighs. It screams beach wedding, and she looks beautiful.

“You think he’ll like it?” she asks with tears in her eyes.

“He’s going to love it. This is… perfect.” Grabbing my phone from my purse, I take a couple of photos, then show her my phone. “I can’t believe the first dress you tried on is it, but it’s absolutely perfect.”

“Beautiful,” Hazel tells her. “It appears as though no alterations are needed. Do you want a veil or a hairpiece?” she asks.

“No, I don’t think so. With the wind, I was just going to braid my hair.” She pulls her long locks up as if putting them in a ponytail. “I really love it, Olivia. Is this real?” she says with a laugh. “Did I really just find my wedding dress that easy?”

I picture her day in my mind. I can see her on the beach walking toward my brother. “You did and it’s perfect. Mike is going to love it.”

“I’ll take it,” Jamie squeals.

“Excellent!” Hazel turns to me. “Now, I have just the selection for you. Follow me.”

I look at Jamie, and she smiles. “Go while I change. Wait! Can you take a picture for me to show my mom and the girls?”

I grab her phone and mine and snap a few pictures, then follow Hazel to the “perfect section for me” and begin to flip through the dresses with shaking hands.

I’m almost to the end of the rack, and my spirits are dropping that I haven’t found one single dress that calls out to me. Then I slide yet another to the right, and I see it. Pulling it off the rack, I take in the details.

It’s sleeveless with a V-neck. The entire dress is silk with a lace overlay, A- line, simple yet elegant. Checking the size, I see it’s mine and I slowly make my way toward the fitting room. Jamie and Hazel are zipping her dress into a garment bag.

“Hey, you found one.” Jamie looks at the dress in my hands.

“You can use the same room,” Hazel says. I nod and disappear behind the door.

I quickly strip out of my clothes and step into the dress. The back is low, so I’m able to reach behind me and zip it up. I stare at my reflection in the mirror and tears sting my eyes. It’s perfect. Exactly what I want.

Grabbing my phone, I pull up David’s name and hit the Call button.

“Hey, baby. How’s shopping?”

“I found it,” I say, my voice cracking. “I found my dress.” My hands are shaking. I can’t believe it. The first one.

“Send me a picture,” he says immediately.

“What?” I laugh. “I can’t do that. It’s bad luck.” Though I really do want to show him.

“Come on,” he prompts me.

“No.” I wipe tears from my cheeks.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, I just… this is really happening. And Jamie found hers too, and I hope my mom’s not upset that she’s not here. This is the first one I tried on, and it’s perfect and I have to get it,” I ramble on through my tears.

“Of course you do. She’ll understand it’s your dream dress.”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“Love you, Livy. Buy the dress. I don’t care what it costs. But if it brings you to tears, I’m certain you in it will bring me to my knees. It’s the one,” he assures me.

“Okay. I love you too.” I stare at my reflection in the mirror. This is my wedding dress. I do a little wiggle dance as my excitement grows.

“Olivia, let me see,” Jamie calls for me.