In My Rearview Mirror, JACK.HUGHES

THIRTY FIVE

"Gab, what the hell," I mutter, my hand instinctively flying to cover my mouth as I stare incredulously at Gab standing before me, a dress cover clutched tightly in her hands.

"Just try it on, please. Otherwise, Jack will kill me," she pleads, her tone a mix of desperation and urgency. I can't help but arch an eyebrow at her dramatic statement, wondering what could possibly be at stake here.

I had been in the midst of getting ready for the charity event for the Rangers, rushing around my apartment like a chicken with its head cut off. Gab's unexpected arrival throws a wrench into my carefully laid plans, leaving me feeling disoriented and off-kilter.

Ignoring the nagging question of how Gab even found my address, I motion for her to come inside, my curiosity getting the better of me despite my initial confusion. Together, we make our way to my room, where Gab delicately lays the dress on the bed, handling it as if it were a priceless artifact.

"He knew how much you liked it," Gab begins, her voice soft as she unzips the cover, revealing the dress underneath. My eyes widen in surprise as I take in the sight, my mind racing to catch up with the sudden turn of events.

"The day before he left for Vancouver, he went to the dress shop you visited," Gab continues, her words unraveling the mystery behind the dress. Each revelation leaves me speechless, my mind struggling to process the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me.

"He bought it and told them to get the same size, and to cut the bottom as long as the blue dress," Gab explains, her voice tinged with a mix of pride and admiration. The pieces start to fall into place, and suddenly, everything makes sense.

Tears well up in my eyes as I gaze at the dress, a tangible symbol of Jack's thoughtfulness and love. In that moment, all the uncertainties and worries melt away, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude and warmth.

"I told him that I would take care of the rest, the delivery and all that shit while he's gone," Gab adds, her words breaking through the reverie that has enveloped me. Her dedication to ensuring everything went smoothly only adds to the overwhelming wave of emotions threatening to consume me.

Unable to find the right words to express my gratitude, I simply nod, my heart overflowing with love for both Jack and Gab.

"It's too pretty," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. The dress lies before me, an exquisite creation that takes my breath away just like it did the first time I laid eyes on it. I can't deny that it's far more stunning than the blue one, a fact that is evident even before I slip it on.

"Try it on, come on," Gab urges, a mischievous smirk dancing across her lips.

With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, I oblige, slipping into the dress with ease. As I stand before the mirror, I'm met with a reflection that leaves me speechless. The dress hugs my curves in all the right places, accentuating my figure in a way that makes me feel like a goddess. My heart swells with gratitude, tears of joy glistening in my eyes.

"I can't believe he did this for me," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

"If only you knew how much he cares for you, M," Gab remarks, her hands deftly zipping up the back of my dress as she meets my gaze in the mirror.

I'm torn, caught between conflicting opinions and emotions swirling around me like a whirlwind. Some say Jack doesn't care about me, that he's not interested in anything serious. Others, like Gab, insist that his actions speak volumes about his feelings for me. And then there's Olivia, urging me to simply enjoy the moment without overthinking things.