by Maddie James
“You’re correct. You didn’t specifically order this dress but you did order a dress from this wedding party.”
“Huh?” She wasn’t sure what language this woman was speaking but none of it made any sense.
Mable stepped forward, pulled her glasses to the top of her head and stuck her fisted hand on her hip, again. She held the paperwork in front of her face when she continued. “It seems that when you called in your measurements you stated you were with the Daughtry wedding and not the Henson wedding, which is the wedding party you are actually with.” Her long black lashes fluttered, making her point: Allison was an idiot and she’d ordered the wrong dress. Not the store’s fault.
Allison looked over at Sarah, hoping her face reflected the torment she felt and apology her mouth formed. Would she be thrown out of the wedding for her screw up? She needed George. When she embarrassed herself at work when she hugged Bob, George was the voice of reason. He told her to give the company one more chance to see how amazing she was before turning in her resignation and moving on to something better. Allison wasn’t sure what he’d do with a dress that wasn’t the correct color or style but a part of her wanted to give him a call to see. “Mom?”
Her mom, with more determination then she’d seen in a while, turned to Mable. “What can we do to remedy this situation?”
“Well, I’ll call the factory and overnight the correct dress.” Her tone and eyes directed at Allison.
“Wonderful. Let’s do it. I’ll pay to get the correct dress here.” Her mom turned to Sarah, “You don’t worry your pretty little self about this. We’ll get the right dress and everything will be fine.” She gave her future daughter-in-law a quick hug and followed Mable to what Allison assumed was her office to order the correct dress. A beautiful navy dress, not peach.
Without another word, Allison stumbled back to her dressing room. Inside, she carefully unzipped the peach monstrosity, placed it back on the hanger and enclosed it in the black garment bag. Her legs slid into her jeans as she pulled them up along with her sweater and brown leather flats. After finger combing her hair and smoothing it back into a ponytail holder, she flung the curtain aside and reemerged from the fitting room with the black bag folded over her arm.
Sarah stood outside her room. “It’s okay Allison,” she said rubbing small circles on her back. “We’ll get the correct dress in, make sure it fits and we’ll be fine.”
“I’m so sorry Sarah. I completely messed that up, didn’t I?”
“I can understand. I mean I’ve been around for a while and I’ll be a Daughtry soon enough. I’m glad we decided to come here today and get the dresses looked at. A day later and we might’ve been screwed.”
“How are you so calm about this?”
“Because, it’s just a dress. This wedding is not about a dress but about two people. And I love your brother and no dress can change that. And I love you as a sister, Allison. And a dress won’t change that either.”
“Yes, but it’s your wedding.”
“I know. I’m getting off easy today. You’re the one who now owns a lovely peach froufrou dress, and you’ll have to ride back with your mom and sister and listen to them rag on you about this mistake.”
Allison threw her head back and moaned. “Don’t remind me. How do you deal with my mom? I mean, nothing she says ever seems to bother you.”
“I like your mom. And honestly, I feel the same way about my mother at times. I’m sure one of these days, we’ll have daughters and they will be saying the same thing.”
With the garment bag still folded in her arm, Allison threw her free one around Sarah. “That’s why my brother loves you.”
Allison didn’t mind owning the ugly dress. Her thoughts drifted to how Ryan’s hands would feel on her in the strapless navy blue dress. Instead of scratchy gauze, his hands would glide along the silky dark material.
Being a bridesmaid in her brother’s wedding looked better and better.
Chapter Six
“I knew something like this would happen. I just knew it.” Allison’s mother sat in the front seat wringing her hands, repeating the same phrase. After the fifth time, Allison tuned her out and nodded her head, giving the appearance of attention.
She glanced in the rearview mirror at Audrey, who’d chimed in on her mother’s rant a few times. Instead of saying anything, she shook her head. Allison fought the urge to pull the car over and smack the look of embarrassment Audrey wore off her face. After all, she had screwed up but it wasn’t the end of the world. Or so she felt after speaking with Sarah. Who, she reminder her mother, was not freaking out.
Her mother wore a veil of cool, calm and collected around the bridal party but as soon as her butt hit the beige interior of the car, she fell into full on freaky mother mode.
“Allison you work, too much.”
“Mom, its fine. And this has nothing to do with my work. I made a mistake. I now own a peach dress and the blue one is on its way. Hell, Sarah is calm.”
“Don’t cuss.”
“Sorry,” Allison rolled her eyes.
“Yes, but if you didn’t have work on your mind twenty four seven, you might not have made such a mistake.”
Again, she nodded hoping for a change in subject but knowing she’d not be as lucky.
“I agree with mom, Allison. You do work too much. I mean what kind of life is that?”
“Thanks for your two cents Audrey but I need to work to make money in order to live and have things like food, clothing and shelter.” Allison’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Her left foot tapped against the floorboard. The car moved closer and closer to Valley but not fast enough.
“All we’re saying dear is this could have been avoided if your head wasn’t on other things, like work, all the time. Maybe if you allowed yourself to have a little fun or, I don’t know, live a life, you’d be happier.”
“I’m fine Mom. Honestly. Besides, George and I have fun together.” Of course her mother didn’t need to know the details. “I appreciate the concern but I’m good. And the entire situation with the dress worked itself out. No problem. I’ll run back to the dress shop in a few days to make sure it fits and all will be fine. Now, can we please talk about something else?” She glanced out the right side of the car in time to see the Valley city limit sign pop into her view. Wonderful. In a matter of minutes. She’d be free.
“Okay, how about we grab a bite to eat before we head home.” Her mother asked.
“That sounds wonderful. I don’t have to head home for a few hours.” Audrey chimed in.
“Actually, I’m really tired. And George should be home soon. If it’s okay with you two, I’ll skip lunch but promise to make time this week to catch up some more.” She couldn’t help the lie but Allison knew she needed some space from the two women. Besides, avoiding any arguments with her sister kept everyone happy.
“Very well. I’m sure the guys kept him busy this morning so he’ll be exhausted, too.”
Knowing George was following her brother and Ryan around the golf course brought a smile to her face. A look that would eventually morph into laughter at the sight of him. George visited the gym a couple days during the week. Although, anytime they’d have to walk several blocks around Chicago to avoid the death traps they called cabs, he’d complain. She blamed his lack of proper footwear. Secretly, she wondered if he only went to the gym to watch.
After returning home, Allison tromped up the stairs avoiding additional contact with her sister and mom. Allison thought she’d be closer to her sister when they grew up, but a five-year age difference still felt like twenty.
Even if age wasn’t a factor, the two girls had nothing in common. In high school, Audrey was already off to college, focusing on her academics when Allison cheered at football games and hung out with the team afterwards. When Audrey attended high school, she spent most of her time studying or working on student government or the debate team. Her focus remained on school and only hearing stories from her mother whe
n she came home about Allison and Adam having fun.
A small part of Allison hoped someday, when she found herself married with kids, the two could find closeness. For now, their worlds felt years apart.
The clothing she wore to the bridal shop fell to the floor replaced with an old T-shirt and flannel lounge pants. The differences between her and Audrey rattled in the back of her mind. Her sister went from serious about school to her family and sharing time with them. Allison on the other hand lacked any fun in her life, keeping her attention on work.
Remembering the scene her father and grandmother walked in on the previous night, Allison tiptoed down the hall to the spare bedroom. The doorknob turned without making a sound. With her hands on the knob, she tucked a book she’d grabbed from her room under her arm. With her palm against the white door, she eased it open knowing George wasn’t inside but remaining quiet seemed the smart thing to do. The room was still scattered with clothes and shoes. Following a maze of fabric, she maneuvered through the mess picking up discarded items to peer underneath.
Where would he hide her yearbook?
After a few more passes and peeks under covers and clothes, Allison gave up. She’d figure out another way to get her book back.
With a romance novel in hand and socks on her feet, Allison padded down the stairs to the living room. The grandfather clock in the hallway ticked out a steady rhythm breaking up the lack of noise in the house. She hadn’t paid attention to where her sister and mother went for lunch and released a deep breath for her newfound solitude.
Roaming from room to room, all the new additions and upgrades her parents did for the wedding became apparent. For the week, their average Valley home would be on display for a bridal shower and various out of town guests who planned on stopping by to say hello. Besides freshly painted walls, with the scent still lingering, the living room had gained major improvements. A big screen television and new furniture.
The chocolate brown leather on the large sectional was butter soft when Allison ran a hand along the top. The seat bottoms and back sunk in when she plopped down. The scent of leather and vanilla filled the space in the room. Her feet propped atop a square wooden coffee table positioned between the sectional and new TV. Scattered around her socked feet sat an array of remotes, each one with a different brand name inscribed across the bottom. Since her brother was the only one living at home with their parents, he must’ve had a hand in picking out the new electronic monstrosity that covered one entire wall of the living room. Small black speakers hung from the corners of the ceiling and she imagined the room vibrating during a high impact action sequence in any of her brother’s favorite movies.
After analyzing each remote and not really sure which one actually turned the TV on, Allison sat the handful of black objects back on the table, grabbed her book and settled into the supple fabric. She let her lids fall shut and breathed the leather scent deep into her lungs. She loved the smell. Her body relaxed, pulling her lids closed. The soothing tick of the clock pushed her farther and farther to sleep.
****
The couch dipped, rousing Allison from her much needed nap. The scent of men’s cologne wafted around her.
“Adam?” She rubbed her eyes. Allison stretched her arms over her head and pointed her legs toward the opposite end of the couch. When her toes hit her brother’s leg, she gave him a kick.
“Excuse you,” a voice sounded that wasn’t her brother’s.
Allison pushed off against whoever sat at the end of the couch and righted herself. Upright, she ran a quick hand across her mouth wiping away the spittle and noticed a cushion and a half sat between her and Ryan Johnson. Short dark brown hair pointed out a backwards facing ball cap. A look Allison never liked but on Ryan, she began to appreciate. Broad shoulders covered in a snug three button blue polo shirt begged to be touched.
Her eyes continued their perusal, taking in the man feast before her. When she’d finished a trip down and then back up, locking again on his face, her cheeks warmed.
“Why’d you kick me?”
“Sorry. I was…sleeping and I thought you were Adam.”
“You make a habit of kicking him?” A gleam in his eye mesmerized Allison. They’d spent countless times sitting in her family’s living room when they were younger watching cartoons or movies. Each time made her palms sweat. His proximity made her nervous.
Who was she fooling? His proximity made a pool of goo churn in her belly.
“Um, no.” She flicked the pages of her book. The ruffled sound broke the silence in the room but not the flutters along her skin.
“So, did you guys have fun?”
He grabbed the bill of his hat, pulling it around to the front of his head. “Sure. I think you’re brother won but I don’t have as much time these days to hit a round.”
“Why? Busy social life?” She wasn’t sure what prompted her to ask. Did she really want to know what he did in his spare time? Or was she more concerned with whom he spent his free time with?
“Something like that.”
“Where’s Adam now?”
“He’s changing to play some basketball and then probably giving Sarah a call.”
“Oh.” Allison’s posture softened, allowing her to turn slightly in Ryan’s direction. “Don’t you need to change?” She hoped when he left to put something more appropriate on for basketball, she’d escape to her room to hide until the wedding. With her face burning hot, she could only imagine the shade of red. Ryan not only prompted wonderful memories but he brought out the high school girl crushing on her brother’s friend. A trait she wasn’t proud to display.
“Naw, I’m good.” His body seemed to inch closer to hers.
Running a list of topics in her head to break up the silence, one came to mind. Something, or someone, she should have asked about sooner popped into her head. “Did George have a good time?”
“Good time? Probably not. Golf doesn’t seem to be his sport.”
Guilt tugged at the side of her mouth, pulling her lip down as she offered an “oops” expression. George was masquerading as her boyfriend and asking about him should have been her number one priority.
The next item on her list probably included not offering him up as a sports fanatic like her brother. Poor guy. She was going to owe him big.
Ryan seemed to fall closer and closer and his pull affected Allison. The cushion dipped, causing her to lean toward Ryan. He licked his lips as his eyes dipped lower. Heat burned against her skin, watching him watch her. Butterflies slam danced in her stomach. Similar images of a night years earlier played in her mind. She wondered if he had the same thoughts. Had he ever wondered what could have been?
Ryan pushed closer. Trusting what was about to happen, she allowed her lids to fall closed. She could almost feel his breath against her face. Mint gum filled the space between them.
“Isn’t that my shirt?”
Chapter Seven
Allison tugged at the hem of her shirt, pulling the threadbare material from her body. Her eyes travelled down to the school mascot screen printed on the front and back up to Ryan’s face. She stared and contemplated her response. The shirt was his. Maybe he didn’t remember. Or he did and his remark was his way of bringing up the past.
The moment they shared replayed in her mind over and over again like it had for the past six years.
Ryan’s expression gave nothing away.
“No. I don’t think so.” Allison’s face heated. She wrapped her arms around her midsection to hide the shaking. Her fingers ran along the seam at her side. If he remembered, did it make him jittery inside, she wondered.
“Yes it is.” His grin grew.
“Nope. I think you’re wrong.” Allison firmly stated.
Ryan’s brown eyes glowed, adding more fire to her belly.
His gaze drifted, landing below her ear. His hand moved from its resting spot on the couch to her shoulder. “I can prove this is mine.” Electricity travelled throughout every in
ch of her body where his finger touched her through the whole in the shirt. She shuddered in response. “My shirt had a hole in it.”
Her tongue tied itself into a knot. Heat in her face intensified with the tingling sensation along her skin. Would he acknowledge how she’d taken possession of the shirt? Part of her craved reenactment while another part of her worried what would happen next.
“Um.” Words didn’t form leaving her with sounds.
“What are you two doing?” Adam walked into the living room wearing a turned backwards cap. His question broke the stare Allison had locked onto Ryan’s face.
“Nothing,” they said in unison. Adam lifted an eyebrow darting his stare between the two.
If Ryan remembered how she obtained the shirt, he wasn’t letting Adam in on their secret. His simple act of mystery caused Allison to develop even more questions and assumptions.
“Whatever.” Adam plopped down on the cushion Allison used to keep space between her and Ryan. He leaned forward, grabbed up a remote from the large selection and pushed a button. She committed to memory which of the five black remotes he grabbed for the next time she wanted to watch TV.
“Listen, man. Can we shoot hoops another day. I’m beat from golf.” Adam pushed back farther into the couch flipping through the channels. One hand on the remote with the other flung up and over the back of the sofa.
“Sure.”
Allison rose from her seat, book tucked under her arm. “I’m gonna go up and read. I’ll see you later.”
Focused on sports blaring from the television, neither guy said a word. Each waved a hand overhead as she passed.
Needing someone to digest her Ryan encounter with, Allison took a left at the top of the stairs.
She tapped her knuckles against George’s door. “It’s me. Can I come in?”
The door flew open and her eyes glued to a wet body shot of George wrapped in a towel. She had to admit. He was a nice looking guy with a great body. Too bad, she thought.
“I’ve got to talk to you.” Her shoulder brushed against his as she weaved through the clothes to the bed.