‘Let’s see what the others think, shall we? And I already know which bridesmaid dresses will go perfectly with this.’
‘It can’t be this easy, surely?’ I laughed. When had anything in my life ever been easy?
‘It’s never happened before, but that gives us all the rest of the morning off,’ she winked. ‘Wait here a moment and I’ll come and get you.’
I watched her leave and lifted up my hair into a messy up-do with my hands and sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror. This was perfect, Gabe was going to love it, especially given it would be gold too. I sat carefully on the edge of my bed and pulled on my silver Jimmy Choo sandals, the height made the dress look even better and made me more confident to walk, as it skimmed my ankle bones instead of dragging on the floor.
‘You look stunning and you haven’t even done your hair or put any makeup on. Shall we?’ smiled Natalia from the doorway. ‘They’re all eagerly awaiting you in the lounge.’ She held out her arm and I linked mine with hers and headed down the long corridor and into the room where the four of them were sitting on the sofa facing me. Georgie screamed and covered her mouth, Lexi burst into tears and Mum and Sofia, instead of crying, sat in stunned silence.
‘O God, you hate it,’ I exclaimed looking at Mum. She shook her head, stood up and slowly walked over and held out her hands. I took them and looked at her confused.
‘You just took my breath away for a moment. O my God Mia, I thought you looked good in the others, but this … Lexi stop hogging the tissues, I need them. Now,’ she yelled as she turned around to snatch them out of Lexi’s hand and I laughed.
‘Lexi, I made you cry,’ I giggled.
‘It’s so you, that’s your dress, not all those other hideous things you were trying back home. This is you. Gabe’s going to love it, Mia.’
‘I hope so. Georgie, I take it the scream was in a good way?’
‘It sure was Sis, you look amazing. I can see where all the tit genes went now, because I certainly didn’t get them. For God’s sake Mum pass the bloody tissues, you’ve set me off now.’
‘Mia, you look stunning,’ sighed Sofia as she grabbed the box out of Georgie’s hand.
‘Well, what’s even better is that they do it with a gold encrusted bodice,’ I smiled, happy with everyone’s reactions.
‘Jesus Christ, Gabe will have you out of it and be going at you on the floor before you’ve even made it half-way up the aisle,’ Lexi laughed as she blew her nose.
‘Lexi Clarke,’ chastised Mum. ‘That’s my little girl you’re talking about.’
‘Who shags like a rabbit on heat.’
‘Lexi,’ we all yelled and burst out laughing. Natalia dragged Georgie and Lexi off as I did a few spins for Mum and Sofia setting them off again.
‘Do you really love it as much as me?’ I asked, biting my lip and they both nodded and Mum started crying again. ‘Sofia, I couldn’t see a price tag on it, can you have a look?’
‘There is no price tag, Mia. Gabe wanted you to have whatever dress you wanted so he made sure that I instructed Natalia not to let you see any prices, he didn’t want them influencing your choice,’ Sofia advised.
‘But what if it’s really expensive? It looks like it would be really expensive.’
‘Mia, stop fussing,’ Mum ordered with a smile. ‘Gabe was adamant that you weren’t to worry. This is the dress you love so it’s the one you are having. He adores you sweetheart, he just wants you to be happy.’
‘I know,’ I nodded, wondering how I was ever going to thank him. ‘I’d like to look for some new gold shoes to go with it and a clutch. Will we have time to go to Jimmy Choo?’
‘Sure,’ nodded Sofia. ‘We have the beauty and hair team coming at three, so as you chose the dress in record time, we have a few hours before lunch arrives.’
‘Please let me pay you something towards the beauty day.’
‘As hostess of the party, I insist it’s on me,’ she smiled and then clapped her hands and I looked around and squealed with delight again as Lexi and Georgie appeared in their matching dresses.
‘O God, they’re gorgeous. Do you both like them?’ I asked as I did a tour behind them.
‘Love it,’ nodded Georgie.
‘I feel stupid,’ moaned Lexi.
‘Why?’
‘It’s long, I’ve never worn a long dress in my life.’
‘You look gorgeous Lexi, please, for me. It’s one day and it’s so perfect.’ They were in pale gold bandeau dresses with a dusting of gold glitter over the bust area and scattered down the remaining dress.
‘Oscar de la Renta,’ nodded Natalia. ‘So you approve, Mia?’
‘I do. And Lex, no need to look up “De La Renta’s” on the internet, no animals were harmed in the making of this dress,’ I teased.
‘O sod off, just because I thought Emu stuff was made out of Emu’s.’
‘You did?’ Georgie burst out laughing.
‘And Ugg’s,’ I giggled.
‘Out of Emu’s?’ Georgie looked at me puzzled as Lexi went red.
‘O no, she thought there was an animal called an Ugg. I’m surprised she’s not set up a “Save the Choo” animal rights activist group.’
‘I’ll get you back for this. Page,’ giggled Lexi with a flick to my forehead.
‘Well, as Jimmy Choo is just up the road, how about we take a trip and choose the shoes and bags to go with our dresses. On me for you both being my bridesmaids.’
‘Seriously?’ her face lit up immediately.
‘As long as I hear no more moans about the dress.’
‘You have a deal. I’ll sleep in the dress for a set of Choo’s.’
‘You will not!’ I uttered, horrified.
‘Right, I need to take all of your measurements so that I can have them all altered to fit you perfectly and you are free to enjoy the rest of your day,’ Natalia advised as she ushered us back into the bedrooms. I rang Gabe as I stood in front of the mirror, still in my dress, as Natalia measured Lexi and Georgie first.
‘Hey baby, have you started yet?’
‘I’ve finished.’
‘Mia, seriously?’ He sounded annoyed with me. ‘I want you to take your time and find something that you’re going to really love. I know you weren’t particularly excited about it but …’
‘Who said I wasn’t excited?’ I objected. ‘I just hated trying on all the horrible dresses. I just cried when I found this dress, that’s how excited I am. I found one that couldn’t be more perfect if I designed it myself and I hope that you’re going to love it.’
‘You cried over a dress?’ he laughed.
‘I did, I even made Lexi cry that’s how beautiful it is. Quick keep talking, or I’ll start again as I’m wearing it now.’
‘Tell me about it.’
‘NO! It will be a surprise, but I’m really worried about the cost.’
‘Don’t be,’ he said firmly.
‘Gabe, I said I didn’t want to spend a ridiculous amount and it’s so beautiful I’m really worried that it’s really expensive.’
‘Mia, if it meant clearing out all of my investments to have you happy on our day I’d do it, baby.’
‘I’d be happy getting married in my jeans at Gretna Green, Gabe.’
‘I know you would, but I want you to feel extra special, we’re only doing this once, it’s important to me.’
‘Our marriage is what’s important to me Gabe, the wedding not so much.’
‘And I love you even more for saying that but I want you to look back and have amazing memories of the day so no more arguments, it’s done. Ok?’
‘I so struck lucky spotting your bottom,’ I sighed and he laughed. ‘What are you doing for your stag day?’
‘I’ve no idea, Dad’s organised it with Doug, but we’ll see you later tonight in the club.’
‘Ok. I miss you,’ I sighed.
‘I miss you too, even though it’s only been fourteen hours. Enjoy your pamper day and no
hair off, please.’
‘Don’t even start,’ I laughed.
‘I mean it, Mia. If there’s only one thing I want for our wedding, other than you turning up and saying I do, it’s for you to not have short hair.’
‘Then I won’t have short hair, I promise. Thank you so much for my gorgeous dress. I love you.’
‘Love you too, no drinking on an empty stomach, please.’
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, come up with a new tune Austin,’ I laughed as he blew a kiss down the phone. I clutched it to my chest as I looked at myself in the mirror again.
‘Ok Mia, your turn.’
‘But I don’t want to take it off,’ I moaned and Natalia laughed.
We made it back to Sofia’s laden down with bags. I’d managed to find the perfect gold glitter sandals and matching bag and had purchased three sets in all. One each for Lexi, Georgie, and myself. Sofia had purchased herself two pairs of shoes refusing to allow me to settle up for them as a gift for her, but I talked Mum into her first pair and paid for those for her. I’d laughed when lunch turned out to be pizza and cheesecake from the same places that Gabe had ordered from the first time he proposed, nearly a year ago. We also had chocolate milkshakes, but laced with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and a couple of bottles of champagne. I was really starting to feel like I was getting over the worst of the last few weeks. We were all laughing and joking as we had our facials, mani-pedi’s and spray tans and I risked it by having some layers cut into my hair, while keeping the length. I was thrilled at the result, it gave it more body and swish. Lexi had hers restyled into a pixie crop and coloured jet black, it made her eyes and cheekbones even more pronounced.
I sat on my bar stool in the same cocktail bar that Sofia had taken me to last year and nearly had to pinch myself to believe what was happening. I was on my hen night, and not only that, when we’d walked in here I’d screamed the place down to find Cindy, Max, Jess, Mandy and Lizzie waiting impatiently for us. Robert had sent the largest company jet over to pick them up Friday morning, along with the swim team boys. Gabe was fronting the bill for them all at a hotel for a long weekend and flying them back on Monday evening.
As a large group of attractive women, we were garnering lots of attention and hadn’t purchased any drinks so far all night. I’d chosen to wear my gold glitter hot pants, a pair of black suede peep toe shoe boots and my sheer black blouse. I’d left my new hairstyle loose and thought I looked amazingly healthy for once with my new tan and professionally done makeup. I squirmed in my seat, impatient to get to the part where I would met up with Gabe later. I was ready for sex and was determined tonight was the night we were doing it again. I’d secretly put in my glass egg and was wearing the nipple clamps and some new black lace underwear and was horny beyond belief. By the time I’d felt as if I really was ready to try having sex again, I’d had my first period and felt rough with it, then we’d not been alone on the plane coming over. Mum and Gerry, Doug, Lexi, Georgie and Justin had all been with us, so that had ruined any chances of us disappearing into the bedroom unseen, and we’d not been able to sneak off for five minutes last night with everyone wanting to go out to eat together.
‘Ok Sis?’ asked Georgie as she linked arms with me.
‘Yeah, it’s all just a bit surreal. I mean here’s me, the commitment phobe of the two of us and I’m getting married and trying for children after just over a year with him. You and Justin have been together four years and you’re not even engaged yet. What bizzaro world did I wake up in?’
‘I know,’ she laughed. ‘I really never thought I’d see you getting there before me, if ever. You really love him, don’t you?’
‘I do, I know Mum still has her reservations with us being so young, but we’ve been through more than some couples go through in a lifetime. If that doesn’t show how serious we are, I don’t know what will.’
‘You’re still her baby, Mia,’ Georgie reminded me as she tucked my hair behind my ear. ‘You’ve always been her favourite, she’s finding it hard to let go.’
‘You think I’m her favourite?’ I looked at Georgie shocked.
‘Of course you are,’ she laughed. ‘Hey, I don’t have a problem with it. You were hers and I was Dad’s. Parent’s always say that they don’t have a favourite but if they had to make a choice in an emergency, they already know who they’d save. I know she loves me, but as the youngest she has all this extra concern for you.’
‘Well, Richard hated me, so you were definitely one up on me there.’
‘Yeah, what good that did me,’ she sighed.
‘Do you miss him?’ I asked, with a frown, totally unable to comprehend her still having positive feelings about the guy.
‘I do, unlike you. He wasn’t all bad Mia, I have some happy memories of him before he left us when Mum was pregnant with you, and from when we used to go and stay with him together. You just never even tried with him.’
‘You two clicked straight away, he didn’t have enough patience to make an effort with me as well. Anyway I just can’t respect a guy that can cut off his own daughters like that.’
‘Well he was in an impossible situation wasn’t he? I’m sure he’ll be back in touch soon when all the dust has settled.’
‘Hmmm,’ I sipped my cocktail quickly. Georgie had accepted the money and was convinced he was a good guy still and would be back in touch with her, I thought she was living under a false illusion, but we’d ended up having a slanging match about it last time and I didn’t want to fight again. Let her think whatever she wanted, but I’d have laid all that money she took from him on her never hearing from him again. If he couldn’t even check up on me after what happened, he’d made it quite obvious we were no longer in his life. I went to chat to Lizzie and Mandy, Jess had split up with her boyfriend so was making the most of her newfound single status by chatting up guys in the bar with Lexi. Cindy and Max were making out in the corner, much to Mum’s horror. Her and Sofia were giggling like schoolgirls, they reminded me of Lexi and I, and I was really pleased that they’d become firm friends since they first met.
I shoved Sam away laughing as he tried to touch up my backside on the dance floor.
‘I still haven’t forgiven you for that little set up of yours in February, Mia,’ he reminded me with a scowl.
‘You got Lexi out of it, what are you complaining about?’
‘Lexi’s amazing and I love being with her, but my curiosity with you is peaked. I’ve never had someone turn me down.’
‘Wow, you’re just as cocky as Gabe was when I first met him.’
‘What can I say? We’re both young and devilishly handsome, we’re women magnets.’
‘And so modest, too.’
‘You forgot loaded. I could buy you loads more than he can,’ Sam winked.
‘It’s about so much more than his money, Sam.’
‘You’ve heard the rumours about Harry Styles? Well, I’m packing Styles style babe, it’s a male singer thing.’
‘Sorry, Gabe already has you beat there too,’ I replied, flicking a glance down at his crotch. ‘Your cock that is, not the singing, he’s crap at singing,’ I smiled.
‘Wow, say “cock” again for me,’ he grinned.
‘You’re so like Gabe it’s untrue,’ I laughed, remembering the first time Gabe had asked me that. ‘He’s amazing at sex Sam, nothing would tempt me.’
‘I still imagine how good it could have been with you.’
‘O Sam, you have no idea how good it would have been with me, but trust me, you got the better of the two of us, you and Lexi are perfectly sexually suited from what I hear. Are you two actually going to try a relationship where neither of you has sex with anyone else?’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ he laughed. ‘I’m on tour so often I couldn’t stay faithful to anyone and Lex doesn’t want to restrict herself either. We both know it’s only sex and that suits us both. Neither of us is the settling down kind, unlike you.’
‘I didn’t think I was until
…’ I huffed out as I remembered that moment that I thought I was going to die and my priorities in life dramatically shifted. ‘Let’s just say I had an epiphany, maybe one day you will too.’
‘I don’t see it happening, though it looks like Zac is with your friend,’ he laughed as he pointed at Jess and his bandmate all over each other on the dance floor. I giggled and pulled my phone out as it vibrated in my bag.
Your backside is looking delicious in those shorts. A not so secret admirer ;-) <3 x
I felt my skin crackle and all the hairs on my arms and neck stood to attention as I quickly pivoted and scanned behind me. Gabe was here, but I couldn’t see him anywhere.
Where are you?
Admiring my property from afar. We shouldn’t even be seeing each other tonight, it’s traditional for hen and stag parties to be in different venues you know x
To hell with tradition Gabriel Austin, one night without you was too much. I want you. Now! x
Why do you want me baby?
I’m desperate to have your beautiful 8======D in my hungry =({})= Fancy it, Austin? x
I had no idea my fiancée was so rude. I’m shocked and appalled ;-)
Where are you???!!!
I looked around again, my breathing was already out of control, and my nipples had been throbbing enough with these clamps on as it was, without the thought of seeing him.
Mia Page. Have you had your hair cut??!!
I scowled at the phone and took a deep breath and another message pinged in before I had the chance to reply.
It looks amazing :-) PS You’re even hotter when you scowl x
I looked back up but it was so busy in here I couldn’t spot him. I pulled Lexi away for a quiet word.
‘Lex, do you mind if I borrow Sam for a bit of flirtation? Gabe’s hiding here somewhere and I think it will coax him out.’
‘No, knock yourself out. In fact you should disappear with him, he’d be perfect to show you how sex with someone else could be, do it before you tie the knot.’
‘Lexi,’ I gasped. ‘A. I don’t want to try someone else, I’m in love and love sex with Gabe. B. I don’t want your seconds thank you very much.’
Infinite Love (The Austin Series) Page 7