Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(52)

First things first.

Aberdeen and I wake up early to go to the hair salon. While she gets her hair curled and fingernails painted, I’m making another drastic change. When we leave, hours later, I’m nervous and insecure again. I’m not sure I’ve made the right decision. Instead of spending my whole paycheck on a dress, my friend Char has agreed to lend me something special. We drive to her house so I can check it out and see if it fits me. I’m still working on losing the last ten pounds I need to reach my goal, but I’m down several sizes already.

Char laughs when she sees what I’ve done to my hair. “It suits you.”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Are you ready to see the dresses I picked out?”

Char and I have different taste in EVERYTHING. I’m nervous to see what she thinks I can pull off, but I follow her anyway, determined to put my fears aside.

It’s an afternoon wedding, so black is probably out. I keep that in mind when I round the corner to her bedroom and see a whole lot of red.

She walks over to the bed and tosses me the first dress. I can tell it’s long and going to be tight. It’s strapless and as I examine it I notice the hemline comes up to my upper thigh on one side. “Seriously?”

“Yes. Hurry up. I have five more in case that one doesn’t work out.”

“It’s beautiful, but I don’t know if it’s right for my figure.”

“Do you have any idea how much weight you’ve lost already? Plus your boobs are huge. You’ll rock that shit. Trust me. It’s my favorite choice.”

Five minutes later I’m standing in front of the mirror looking at a reflection I most certainly don’t recognize. “Wow,” I mumble.

“Wow is right. It’s even better than I hoped. Brandon is going to go crazy when he sees you in it.”

“It’s not a date,” I remind her.

She slaps my ass. “Keep telling yourself that, Shay. The only thing Brandon will be thinking is how he’s going to take it off.”

“You’re terrible.” Aberdeen comes in the room. Her eyes light up when she sees me in the dress.

“Mom, you look pretty.”

“Do you think so? Should I try on something else?”

“No,” they both say at the same time.

I haven’t been this dressed up since my own wedding and I’m a bit uncomfortable. The dress is form fitting until the very bottom where it flairs out. It’s low cut around the bust. Char places a necklace on me and stands back to admire it. “Yeah, that’s better.” She hands me a pair of earrings. “Here, put these on.”

I do as I’m told and look in the mirror again. “This is too much.”

“It’s perfect. You look amazing. Now, sit down in my magic chair and let me do your makeup.”

“What? No. I can manage it myself.”

“I insist. Come on, be pampered for once. You deserve this. You’ve worked your ass off to look this way. Brandon doesn’t know what he has if he doesn’t think so when he sees you.”

“I appreciate the pep talk, but I could fall flat on my face if I have to wear heels.”

“Duh. Of course you do. You’ll be fine. Stop trying to talk yourself out of it.”

“I’m dressed like I’m going to the prom.”

She rolls her eyes. “Who was your prom date?”

“Brandon.” We both laugh together.

It’s nearly a half hour before I get to look at what she’s done to my face. I’m in shock. I don’t know what to say. “What happened to me?”

“Shayla, nothing happened to you. This is what I’ve been trying to tell you. You’re beautiful.”

My makeup is natural. It’s not too heavy. It’s perfect.

I can feel tears welling up in my eyes and I wave my hands around in hopes that the feeling will go away. “I’m sorry. For so long I hated looking in the mirror. I never thought I was attractive, not by Brandon’s standards.”

“How do you feel now?”

“I feel…I feel like a princess.”

“Okay then, Princess Shayla, let’s get this show on the road.”





Chapter 25




I’ve been waiting for her to arrive for twenty minutes. She’s assured me she would show up, even when I told her I had to come early. I’m worried she’ll change her mind and leave me high and dry. I’d hate for Aberdeen to miss it because her mother is undecided on whether we can be friends.

This night is way more important than my best friend getting hitched. This could be the night that changes everything. I just need to see her walk inside the doors I can’t take my eyes away from.

Time is running out. I’m supposed to report to the chapel to usher the guests in. Then I hear the old church door creaking open. My heart races as I stick my sweaty hands in my pockets to hide my fidgeting. It’s like my first date all over again. Just like that time so long ago I’m going to have to impress her. This time she’s going to fight the urge to let me.

Words can’t describe the way it makes me feel too see her in this dress. I’ve never noticed it before. Perhaps she purchased it from Target and received an employee discount. Maybe she went out and splurged. No matter how much money she spent it was all worth it. This isn’t the same woman I fell in love with when I was still considered a kid. She’s different. She’s stronger. Somehow she’s learned how to be her own person, and maybe it’s because of the struggles I forced her to go through; the trying times I once denied existed.