Leila lives in a black and white world... literally. She, like everyone else who has yet to meet their soulmate, sees everything in black, white, and varying shades of gray. But all of that changes one night, when she attends a boring banquet for he...
“Dress number six, coming through!” Gabby declared, holding up the dress. “You need to try this one.”
Leila’s brown eyes took in the floaty, layered skirt. “That skirt definitely what I’m looking for. How are you so good at this?”
Gabby shrugged nonchalantly. “It just comes naturally, I guess. I don’t know. I’m pretty good with getting a feel for what people like. The longer I’m with someone, the better I get at finding what they want.”
“It’s been–what?–an hour since I walked through the front door, and you’re practically reading my mind.”
The brunette blushed, turning away. “Come on. Let’s get you in this dress.”
The ruched bodice fit her snugly, while the layers of tulle and organza floated around her. The belt around her waist tied the whole thing together.
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Looking in the mirror, Leila could see herself on the front page of a magazine. The dress was timeless, elegant, and just plain gorgeous. She was the picture of class, the perfect poster bride. But she didn’t want to be a magazine model. She wanted to be a bride. Something about the dress, however stunning it was, just wasn’t right. Despite this, she hiked up her skirts and made her way to her awaiting audience.
She was showered in oohs and ahs, but deep in her heart, she knew this wasn’t it. Her lips scrunched to one side as she tried to find a view in the mirror to convince herself that it was just the lighting in the room, just the angle of the mirror, but nothing could change her mind.
“Leila, darling, quit spinning around endlessly,” Cece chided. “If it takes that much work to convince yourself, it’s not the one.”
“You like it. I know you do,” Nadia insisted, “but it looks more like Leila-on-the-runway than Leila-actually-getting-married.”
“It’s beautiful. You look amazing. But you also look tortured,” Mallory said bluntly. “You thought this was what you wanted, but it’s not, and it’s not quite sinking in yet.”
Jaycee spoke up. “The dress alone gets a nine. If I was a fashion critic or whatever and I saw the dress on you, I’d give it a nine and a half. But I know your body language, and I know the way you think. It’s a six from me.”
“It’s the top. The skirt is what we were looking for on the last dress, but this top leaves much to be desired,” Renee voiced.
“God, I’m so glad I brought all of you. You know exactly what I’m thinking,” Leila sighed, relieved.
“The top of that last dress with the skirt of this dress… I got it!” Gabby stood up straight, slapping herself in the forehead. “I’m so stupid. How did it take me this long to think of it?”
“Think of what?” Leila asked almost hesitantly.
“You head back to the dressing room. I’ll be there as soon as I find it,” the brunette commanded.
