by Ivy Smoak
"I'm sorry."
I smiled up at him.
"But it was a present and I..."
I put my finger against his lips. "Don't ruin your apology."
He grabbed my hand and kissed each of my knuckles. "You're going to love it. I promise."
"As long as you're in it, I will." I ran my fingers through the contours of his six pack. "So where is it?"
"Closer to where we'll both be working."
"You're impossible. You do realize that, right?"
He shrugged and smiled down at me. "We can walk to work together every day. And we can walk to our new home together every night. We can make detours through Central Park whenever you're missing the suburbs. It's going to be wonderful."
"Thank you, James."
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Why does it feel like you aren't thanking me for the new place?"
"I am. But it's not just that. Thank you for not getting annoyed when I stayed up late studying so many nights. And for waiting to get married until after I graduated. For putting your life on hold here while I finished school. And for not getting mad at me when I'm stubborn for no reason. And for just being you."
"You're awfully sentimental tonight." He pulled me into his chest.
I'd never get enough of the sweet scent of his skin. "You've given up so much to be with me."
He ran his fingers through my hair. "That's not the way I see it."
I knew it wasn't how he saw it, but that's how it was. The past few years I had been a burden. "There is no other way to see it, James. I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've done. Everything you've given me and everything you've given up."
"Penny, it goes both ways. What's mine is yours. And what's yours is mine."
"But I don't have anything."
He rolled over, pinning my back to the rug. "You're everything that I've ever wanted. These past two and a half years have been the happiest of my life. We're getting married in a few weeks. You're the one giving me everything."
"I'm worried that I'll always be a burden. I don't know what I want to do now that I've graduated. I don't know what I want to be."
He smiled down at me. "Well, you can start by working with me at Hunter Technologies. And by becoming my wife. Does that really sound so bad?"
I pursed my lips. Of course he was right. Even if I just worked there until I figured out what I really wanted to do. He knew me better than I knew myself. "It sounds perfect." I put my hand on the side of his face, running my palm along the scruff on his jaw line. "I can't wait to be Penny Hunter."
"God I love the sound of that."
Chapter 4
Sunday
My phone buzzed just as the car pulled up to the J.F.K. Airport. I quickly pulled my phone out of my purse, expecting to see James' sister, Jen, calling me. Instead, I saw Melissa's name. I swiped my finger across the screen. "Hey, Melissa. I just got to the airport to pick up Jen. It'll be at least forty minutes before we get to you."
"Actually, that's why I'm calling. I'm just going to meet you there if that's okay?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Great. I might be a little late. I just have a bunch of errands to run first. Trying to get everything settled." Tyler said something in the background, but I couldn't hear what it was.
"The appointment is in an hour," I said. "How late are you going to be?"
"Not very. I gotta go, I'll see you all there."
"Melissa?" I said, but she had already hung up the phone. It didn't sound like she wanted to come at all. I couldn't force her to tell me whether or not she was dating Tyler. But now it felt like she was trying to avoid spending time with me altogether. We'd have to have this conversation eventually. The longer we waited the more awkward it seemed.
My phone buzzed again and this time it was Jen. "Hey, Jen!"
"I'm coming out now. Are you already here? Never mind, I see Ian. See you in a sec." She hung up the phone.
I looked out the window. She was already running over to the car. She dropped her bags, threw her arms around Ian, and kissed his cheek as I stepped out of the car. Ian always looked happiest whenever Jen was in town. It was pretty clear to me that he had a crush on her. I just didn't know if it was apparent to Jen. I waited a second before getting out of the car, letting them enjoy their moment.
Jen squealed and threw her arms around me. "I can't believe you're marrying my brother in less than a month! We really should have looked for dresses sooner, you know. The consultants are going to have a fit."
Ian opened up the door to the car for us and we both climbed back in.
"I know," I said. "I was just hoping I'd get to meet your mother before I went dress shopping. I pictured her coming, you know?"
Jen waived her hand through the air. "She'll come around. Don't let her ruin this for you. This is going to be so much fun." She squeezed my hand.
"I know, I am excited. I just have absolutely no idea what kind of dress to get."
"And that's why I'm here."
We were heading to Kleinfeld's. Jen swore it was the place I had to get my dress from. Melissa usually gave me all my fashion advice, but Jen knew elegance better than anyone else. I needed her help making this decision, because I had no idea what James expected me to wear.
"How's the west coast been treating you?" I asked. She looked tan and much more content than the last time I had seen her a few months ago. She had just called it off with her boyfriend and was debating whether to buy a ticket to escape to the other side of the country. I had my doubts, but it looked like it was working for her.
"Amazing. I've been working on a new book, and there is literally nothing better than writing when you have a view of the ocean."
"That does sound amazing. I miss the beach. I used to go every summer with my family."
"Tell James to take you. God knows he needs a vacation." She shifted in her seat. "How is he by the way? Is he getting nervous?"
"For the wedding? I don't think so. We're both just really excited. Why? Did he say something to you?"
She laughed. "No, no, don't worry. I just know how much he worries about everything. This thing with my parents has been just as upsetting for him."
"I know. I think I'm finally at peace with it, though. I can't force them to meet me. So I'm just going to try and not think about it."
"They're being so ridiculous. I bet they're going to love you when they meet you too. Maybe I can do some nagging of my own while I'm in town."
"It's fine. Please don't on my account. I'm not sure James even wants them to come to our wedding at this point. So I'm done dwelling on it. Actually, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are going to throw us a late engagement party thing at their house on Friday." James and I had called them this morning to set up the date.
"Really?"
"Yeah. So I'm just focusing on being excited about that. I hope you'll stay for it."
"I wouldn't miss it."
***
I sat down on a velvety couch and looked up at the chandelier above my head. Everything about this place screamed elegance. It was going to be ridiculously expensive. I don't think I was ever going to get used to spending exorbitant amounts of money like James liked to do. Our wedding alone was going to cost more than my tuition at NYCU.
"When's the maid of honor getting here?" Bee asked with a smile as she sat down beside me.
I had picked up my mother and Bee after getting Jen. "She's running late, but I'm sure she'll be here soon." I hoped Melissa would be here any minute. I didn't want whatever weirdness was going on between us to continue. She knew how important it was that she helped me pick out a dress. I couldn't even think about doing this without her. She was my best friend.
A young woman in a black dress walked up to us. "Hi, I'm Anna, and I'll be your bridal consultant today. Which one of you is the bride?"
I raised my hand awkwardly. I was still used to being in a classroom. "That would be me," I said and immediately dropped m
y hand. "I'm Penny," I said as I stood up and shook her hand.
"And who is with you today?"
"This is my mom and my two bridesmaids, Bee and Jen."
"Nice to meet all of you," Anna said.
I looked over Anna's shoulder to the door. Where was Melissa?
"Are you ready to get started?" Anna asked.
I pressed my lips together.
"We were waiting for one more person," my mom said. "But I guess we might as well get started, right Penny? We don't know when Melissa will get here."
"Yeah." I sat back down on the couch. "Let's do this."
Anna laughed. "Okay, well, what silhouette were you going for?"
"I don't really know. What are the different options?"
"How about we try one of each kind to give you a feel for what you like? Anna said and gave me a sympathetic smile.
"That sounds great."
"When is your wedding?"
"June 30th."
Anna stared at me for a second. "Wait, you mean this June 30th?"
"Yes?" I wasn't sure why I said it as a question.
"That's less than three weeks away!"
"I mean, just one day less than three weeks. So pretty much three weeks."
She just stared at me, not at all effected by the particulars. "I'm so sorry, but I don't know if we're going to be able to help you."
"What? Don't you have anything? Couldn't I buy a sample dress or something?" Shit. I had waited too long to look.
Jen laughed. "You're not buying a sample dress, Penny. That's ridiculous. Anna, your designers always make exceptions under certain circumstances, right?"
Anna looked at Jen and then back at me. "Yes, under very limited circumstances. But what is your budget? Rush orders start at..."
"She doesn't have one," Jen said.
I could feel Anna's eyes on me. I was wearing a simple blue sundress and sandals. She was probably thinking there was no way I could afford a rush delivery. She probably didn't even think I could afford to be here to begin with.
"It's not an issue," Jen said.
Anna turned back to her. "Okay, well there will only be a few designers that will be willing to work with us. Let me talk to my manager real quick." She looked slightly embarrassed as she rushed away from us.
"I don't know," I said, turning toward Jen. "Maybe we should go look somewhere else? I don't want to spend a fortune on a dress I'm only going to wear once."
"No way, Penny. I'm under strict instructions to make you get whatever dress you like the best here, regardless of the price. He said to just put it on the credit card he gave you. It's fine." Jen waived her hand through the air like it wasn't an issue at all.
I bit my lip. James had given me a credit card when I moved to New York with him. I had only ever used it a few times to buy fancy dresses for functions that I attended with him. I didn't even know what the credit limit on it was. And I certainly didn't want to reach it. "You talked to James?"
"Yes, I talked to James."
Bee laughed. "I feel for you, Penny, but I'm pretty sure there's no way James is going to budge on this. Geez, I can just picture this happening to me too."
"Wait, Bee," I said. "Did Mason propose?" I could feel the huge smile spread across my face and I hoped I didn't look like a lunatic.
She immediately blushed. "No. I mean, we've talked about the future. I think he will at some point, but not yet."
I loved Mason and Bee. They were perfect together. When I had first met Mason, I wasn't really sure what to think of him. He had this edge that I couldn't quite explain. Since he was James' friend, I had pushed that thought aside and become good friends with him too. But when he had started dating Bee, he seemed different. She balanced him out somehow. It reminded me that I really needed to talk to her about what she meant about Mason planning James' bachelor party. Because I was almost positive that he had taken the wheel for the plans. It would be better if I talked to her about it in private though. "I know he will, Bee. And when he does, you think he'll make you buy a dress that is as expensive as a new car?"
Bee laughed. "I wouldn't put it past him."
"Well, maybe there aren't any other options," I said. "I waited too long."
My mom ran her hand up and down my arm.
"I heard about the party that Mason's parents are throwing you next weekend," Bee said, trying to lighten the mood. "That's going to be so much fun."
"It's going to be a blast. They're both so sweet. I really wish you could come though, Mom."
"Your father and I already took off time this week to come up. And time off for the wedding at the end of month. I'm so sorry that we have to miss it."
"It's okay, you'll meet them at the wedding."
Anna walked back over with a smile on her face. "Okay, I'm sorry about that. How about you come back with me and we can get started?"
I looked over her shoulder once more but Melissa was still nowhere in sight. "Sounds good." I stood up.
"And if you ladies would like to look around for dresses you think Penny will like, please feel free."
Jen was up, searching through the racks before I even took a few steps to follow Anna. I wound my way past some of the dresses and followed her into a fitting room.
Anna closed the door and gestured for me to sit down. She jotted something down on the clipboard she was holding. "Do you know what size you are, Penny?"
I tried to think of the most recent event I went to. "A two I believe?"
"Okay, you'll probably be a four in wedding dresses then. Don't ask me why they make the sizes smaller. It seems like the absolute worst time to do that to someone."
I laughed. "Designers don't want you to feel good on your wedding day?"
"Apparently not." She smiled at me. "So, I know you don't know exactly what style you want, but are you opposed to anything in particular?"
"I really have no idea."
"Like poofy, shiny, lacy..." her voice trailed off when I didn't have any reaction.
"I'm sorry, we're probably going to be here forever. I'm just so indecisive."
"It's okay, dear. Let me go grab a few dresses to get us started. And what is your bra size?"
"32 B."
"Great, I'll be right back."
As soon as she left, I pulled my phone out of my purse and clicked on Melissa's name. The phone rang a few times and went to voicemail. "Hey, Melissa, it's me. I know you said you'd be a little late, but I'm about to start trying on dresses." I paused. Maybe I should just confront the issue. "I feel like you're upset with me, and I don't really know what I did," I said, chickening out. "I want to fix whatever it is. But right now I need you. Please don't make me do this without you." I paused again. "Hopefully I'll see you soon." I hung up before I could say anything stupid. I had this urge to go all bridezilla on her and demand she come because she was my maid of honor. That was probably not the right way to go. If it really was that she felt uncomfortable telling me about her and Tyler, that was ridiculous. Tyler and I had been together one night two and a half years ago. We were over before we even really had a chance to begin. I didn't see how that could be the issue.
Anna came back in with a few dresses in her arms and hung them up. "Are you ready to get started?" she said with a huge smile.
"I guess so."
She laughed. "There's nothing to be nervous about. We're going to find the perfect dress, I promise. Is there one in particular that you wanted to try first?"
"Let's start with this one," I said and pointed to the one that was the most simple.
"Good place to start. I'll help you get into it. Do you want me to step outside while you undress?"
"Oh, no, it's fine." I turned away from her and pulled off my sundress. She handed me something that almost looked like a corset.
"Trust me, it does wonders," she said as she got all the small hooks together on the back.
I looked down at my breasts. She was right. They looked amazing. I wanted to wear one of these all
the time. Minus that fact that it was super uncomfortable.
"Now, how did you meet your fiancé?" She asked as she helped me step into the first dress.
I hadn't really been expecting the question. And I never really knew how to answer it. "Um, in school. We ran into each other in a coffee shop right before classes started." I smiled remembering the first time I had ever seen him. "He bumped into me and spilled coffee down the front of my shirt."
Anna laughed. "That's quite the meet cute."
"It was." I stared at my reflection in the mirror as she zipped up the back. She added a few clips to the back, drawing the fabric against my skin. It was tight down to my hips, and then the fabric was a little looser against my legs. I thought I'd be used to the idea of getting married after being engaged for so long. But for some reason it hit me the most right now as I stared at my reflection. It made my pulse quicken. I didn't want a simple dress like this. I wanted something that would make James' jaw drop when he saw me.
"What do you think?" Anna said.
"I want something a little...more."
Anna smiled. "There are barely any embellishments on this one. Would you still like to show everyone?"
"Yeah. It's a good starting point."
Anna opened the door and I followed her back to my mom and friends. She said something about the designer as I stepped up onto the elevated platform.
"Penny, you look amazing," my mom said.
"Gorgeous," Bee said.
"It's a little simple, don't you think?" Jen cut in. Jen was always honest. I was so glad she was here. Especially since Melissa wasn't.
"Penny was thinking the same thing," Anna said. "A jeweled belt would add some character though." She grabbed one off a display nearby and wrapped it around my waist. "What do you think?"
I turned to the mirror that was behind me. It did help, but it still wasn't perfect.
"I think maybe you should try the next one," Jen said.
"What do you think, Penny?" my mom asked.
"I think it's missing a wow factor."
Bee laughed. "Just wait to you see the one that Jen picked out."
"Okay, let's go try on the next one," Anna said.
