Secrets And Sins Part 3: Happy ever after

Chapter 74

~Ava~

"First impressions?" The seamstress asked, fiddling with something behind her.

Ava smoothed shaky hands over the divinely soft material at her hips. She didn't know why she was so nervous but standing here in the slightly claustrophobic changing room; she was shitting herself.

"I know there's no mirror in here," the seamstress continued, moving around Ava to stand in front of her as she continued to make adjustments, "so it's not an easy question to answer. We like our brides to tell us honestly if they are comfortable or not before seeing how the dress looks."

"It is comfortable..." And it is, far more than Ava thought it would be. She shifted her weight experimentally and felt the material catch around her feet. "But maybe a little long?"

"Not a problem," the seamstress smiled, straightening up. "Let's move out into the fitting room so you can view it properly, and I'll make the measurements needed to take it up."

"Okay."

Ava followed her out and took her place on the small, raised platform in the center of the room before slowly, nervously, looking up into the floor to ceiling mirror that took up one entire wall.

Holy shit.

The dress was absolutely gorgeous.

Silken ivory colored material clung to her body like it had been made for her to wear, hugging and accentuating her curves before flowing out gently from mid-thigh. Exquisitely detailed lacing spread across the bodice and down the form fitting sleeves that cut off high on her wrists. The deep neckline showed a great deal of skin but in a tasteful rather than a scandalous way.

Ava was in awe.

Her eyes met Mary's in the reflection, her friend had forgone any of the chairs to lean against the wall while she waited. "What do you think?"

"You look beautiful, kid." Mary said quietly, her voice thick with emotion.

Ava blinked, turning to look at her properly, the hint of a grin curling at her lips. "Are you crying?"

"No..." Mary's voice betrayed her with a telltale wobble and Ava's grin widened. "Oh, fuck off," she growled then, giving her the finger.

Ava laughed, turning back to the mirror and felt a little surprised by just how happy she looked. Her laughter faded as a hint of the nerves from before trickled back. "I hope Bea likes it."

"She will." Mary said firmly, and Ava once again met her gaze in the reflection. "You could turn up wearing a trash bag and Bea would still drool over you."

Ava's face went red and with how much of her chest was on display, both Mary and the seamstress had a front-row seat to how much that blush tended to travel.

"Anyway," Ava coughed. "Where's Rebecca? I thought I wasn't supposed to be out of her sight."