The Best is Yet to Come

Twenty Five: Emma

With my collection of dresses, I make my way to the dressing room, with Noah in tow, to find about a dozen more dresses hanging on a wheeled rack by the stage. Violet is shuffling through the various garments, pulling out a few pieces and putting them in the changing booth.

"How did you make out, Hun." She calls from behind the curtain.

"Uhm, great. I picked out a few from the racks." I say. She comes out from behind the curtain to see my choices.

"Oh, these are lovely!" She compliments, taking the dresses from my arms and hanging them up in the booth with the others. "I have several more dresses here I thought you might like so feel free to try any of them on. I'll be back soon to check up on you." She gives me a smile and walks out of the room, eyeing Noah boldly on her way out.

Noah examines the rack, looking over the selection of dresses that Violet had brought. He runs his fingers across the hanging garments, pausing here and there to caress bits of fabric. Satisfied, he pulls out a floral white dress and passes it to me with a grin. I take the hanger from him and walk it with me to the changing booth.

Noah moves to the couch closest to the stage and makes himself comfortable. He smiles playfully at me and nods his head.

"Well, go on then," he urges, and I walk into the booth, double checking to make sure the curtain is completely shut. I wouldn't put it past Noah to peek if given the chance.

I examine the enormous pink dress that Noah had picked out first. I remove everything except my underwear and carefully shimmy myself into the fluffy ball gown. The strapless bodice hugs my ribs and expands luxuriously at the waist with yards and yards of light pink tulle. I honestly don't look half bad, but with my hair up, my neck and shoulders feel very exposed. I would never have picked a dress this inconspicuous on my own. I'd never be able to blend in at a dinner party in this ridiculous dress. I chew my lip nervously at the thought of meeting Noah's family dressed like an overzealous prom date.

I pull back the curtain a few inches to peek at Noah watching from his seat on the white leather. He spots me instantly and beams.

"Don't be shy," he soothes, "I have excellent taste." I roll my eyes and whip back the curtain. Unsure of what to do with myself, I twirl awkwardly to give him a full view. Noah leans back on the couch, his fingers playing with the smile on his lips.

"You look like a piece of cotton candy," he laughs and I can't help but chuckle myself.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I drawl sarcastically, "I thought you had excellent taste?" Noah smirks at my jab and licks his lips.

Christ, how come everything he does has to look so sensual? I immediately avert my eyes before a blush gives me away.

"Not a good one, then?" I say, smoothing down the immense skirt as a distraction.

"You look beautiful but... no." I hear Noah move from the couch and watch him fiddle with the rack of dresses. He pulls out the red sparkly gown he had picked out in the shop, "Here. Try this one." Noah hops up the steps to the stage and hands me the silky fabric.

His bright eyes have an excited sparkle to them that nearly makes my cheeks flush again. I take the dress and turn back to the changing booth, double checking the curtain once more. Twisting my arm unnaturally behind my back, I reach for the dress's zipper. The tiny clasp is just millimeters out of reach and impossible for me to grip onto.

Panic starts to claw its way up my throat and I force myself to pause. I close my eyes and focus on my breath. Relax. This is not the end of the world.

I poke my head out of the curtain again but this time Noah doesn't notice. He's staring at his phone, a frown etched onto his face. I swallow my anxiety whole and squeak out, "Noah?"