Jem
I can’t stop thinkingabout Rune.I was so sure that he would say yes to my proposal that maybe he felt a spark with me, too.Instead, all I got was a maybe.
I sigh as I steam some of the new wedding dresses that came in.I’m the only wedding and elegant dress shop within a five-hundred-mile radius.Between appointments and online orders, plus alterations, I’m kept pretty busy.Today is a rare, slow day, but Fern is going to be coming by soon to try on a few styles and see what she likes.Then I’ll have to work on her alterations so that everything is ready before the big day.
I should be using my free time this morning to set up an online dating profile or find some other way to get a date for Fern’s wedding, but I’m still so hung up on Rune.I can’t stop thinking about him and wondering what it would be like to be his.
The bell above the door rings, and I look up, smiling as Fern hurries in.
“Hey!Sorry, I’m a little early,” she says, shrugging out of her coat.
“No, you’re fine!”
“I only have an hour today.We got a call about this property this morning, and Jackson and I are going to go look at it then.”
“Oh, what kind of property?”I ask, ushering her over to the first rack of dresses.
“It’s this old barn with a house too.They both need work, but once they’re fixed up, it would be the perfect spot for a wedding space.”
“You’d be the full package!”I say.“Wedding planner, venue, you’ve got it all.”
“I hope so.We’ll see how the viewing goes.”
“Well, let’s get started here then.Why don’t you look through and see what kinds of styles you like?Then we can decide on veils, trains, accessories, all of that.”
“Sounds good.I pulled up some dresses online, too.I’m thinking something like this,” she says, showing me a few photos of a lace-covered, A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline.
“They’re gorgeous, and they’d look great on you with your curves.”
“I’m torn because I also like the big princess gowns too, with the poofy skirts,” she says with a laugh.
“Well, head to a room.I’ll grab one of each, and we can test them.”
She nods and heads back to the fitting rooms while I head to a rack and flip through options until I find what I’m looking for.I select two lacy options and a few of the classic princess-style dresses.
We spend the entire hour trying on options, but Fern falls in love with the last one.It’s a cream-colored, sparkly, dramatic ballgown.She looks drop-dead gorgeous in it, and I know as soon as I zip her up that it’s the one.
“This…” she says, tears in her eyes.“This is it.”
“I agree,” I whisper.
She turns, hugging me, and I laugh.
“I look beautiful!Thank you.”
“You are beautiful, Fern.I can’t wait to see Jackson’s face when you walk down the aisle toward him in this dress.”
“Can we do fittings later?I’ve got to run now.”
“Sure thing.Just text me.”
She changes back into her clothes and waves as she rushes out.I hang her dress back up, hanging it behind the front counter to save it for her.
My phone rings as I’m debating heading out to grab some lunch, and I smile as I see my best friend’s name on the screen.
“Jem!”she shouts.
I laugh.“Rowan!”