Adam
The next morning after our dinner argument, I drive Selena for wedding dress shopping.
Julie meets us in front of a trendy bridal store in West Hollywood. Where people strut in and out of high-end restaurants and shops, with designer shopping bags. The bright lights inside the store display every kind of wedding gown, with tiaras and jewelry in glass shelves. The employees are all slim, tall, wearing thin hills and black dresses.
Selena's fidgeting uneasily as the associate greets and takes us to the designated area. There's a raised podium facing a wall length mirror, and couches for the bridal party to be comfortable.
"Um..." Selena glances at the group next to her, where the bubbly bride-to-be is popping champagne with her friends. "Could we move somewhere a little bit more private?"
"Did you bring your heels?" Julie whispers as we move to the corner.
Selena takes out black heels from her bag.
"That's what you're wearing on your wedding day?" Julie scowls.
"No. You said bring heels. You didn't say to bring the ones I'm wearing on my wedding day."
I resist palming my face. This is the same thing that happened yesterday, when I asked her to watch the food and she burnt it.
Julie sighs. "Selena... you need the exact shoes so we alter the dress length correctly."
"Oh..." Realization settles in, followed with embarrassment. "Why didn't you say that?"
"Hi there! Can I get you anything to drink while you wait?" A bouncy redhead with a high-pitch giggle pops in front of me. She's just looking just at me, nobody else.
Subtle.
"Champagne!" Julie drapes herself over the couch like a soap opera drama queen. "Adam, sit! We need your opinion too, you know."
I'm okay. Although, I do like this version of her more than when she's around Jacob. That man just needs to be exiled.
Meanwhile, Selena is sulking in the corner like a drenched cat. You'd think someone is holding a knife against her neck to try on the dresses.
"You must be the bride." A professional woman strides towards her, making Selena stiffen. "I'm your personal stylist, Gabrielle. Congratulations on your engagement! So excited to help you!"
She throws her long arms around Selena for a hug and I watch Selena grimace from the contact. But she forces herself to laugh, hiding her discomfort. "Uh, it's nice to meet you too..."
"Can I get you some coffee?" The freckled redhead is back, now flirting quietly.
"Sure."
"How would you like your coffee, sir? Would you like it with cream and sugar?" She bites her lip.
"Just black." You're doing too much, darling.
Meanwhile, Selena is taken to choose a couple of gowns to try on. I don't take my eyes off of her. I know she's inside a store where it's probably safe, but I still feel uneasy when she goes behind the curtain to undress. At least she's close to me.
"Sit." Julie pats the couch. "Come on, don't just stand there."
I get that she's alone, but I'm not family and I'm not a friend. "That's okay, ma'am. I'm just doing my job here."
The curtain slides open and my dead heart skips a beat when I see Selena in a wedding dress.
I quickly look away, but the image won't get out of my head.
YOU ARE READING
Falling Forbidden (Unfinished)
Romance"Breathe, sweetheart. That's it. You're not going anywhere." She's anxious and sensitive. He's quiet and protective. A story in which she's arranged to marry, but falls in love with her bodyguard. Secretly struggling on the spectrum, Selena is furi...
