《The Artist & The Q.B.》Ch. 16
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We take separate taxi's to the wedding dress shop. Me and Mya in one and Easton and Truex in the other. Walking in together I notice Debbie pulling out dresses and browsing before she sees us. I can't picture myself and my mom searching for a dress for my wedding day. She's not the type to drop everything to help me do anything. Yes, I may have lived with her for 18 years, but I was taking care of myself and her more than she ever did me. I look at Mya noticing her face light up as she looks around the store. The sales associate comes forward asking me when my appointment is and I look at Mya, unsure of the exact time.
"10:00, and I'm getting married. Not her." Mya, clarifies happily.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Its so common for women to bring the fiancé that I just assumed." She apologizes, gesturing to just beyond me.
I look at her perplexed, then realize she was indicating Truex and I mentally roll my eyes. She happily introduces herself as Kristen and we follow her to a sitting area with a large round carpeted pedestal surrounded by mirrors. Debbie and Easton sit on the long couch. Easton takes up a large portion and once Truex sits down there's no room, so I stand beside it. Mya starts to explain what she's looking for in a dress. I hear all lace and a low back, then Truex pulls me down onto his lap. Not waiting to interrupt the consultation to ask for a chair, I sit perched on him like a little lapdog.
"And what is the budget?" Kristen asks, politely.
Mya glances behind her to me and then to Truex, smiling nervously. I look at Truex, knowing she isn't asking me what the price range should be. "No, budget." He answers, simply.
Mya turns back to the woman, clearly happy about Truex's answer.
They leave to go to a fitting room and Debbie starts to fidget in her spot. "I hope she tries something other than lace. The beading on these dresses are beautiful, don't you think?" She asks, dreamily.
Not realizing she's speaking to me until she looks at me. "Oh, yeah. Very pretty." I agree.
"Do you think they'll wait long to have kids?" She questions, conversationally.
Knowing this time she's talking to me. I answer. "She hasn't mentioned it to me, but I know she really wants to be a mom." Smiling at the thought of Mya becoming a parent.
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"What about you?" She inquires.
"Do I want kids?" I ask, stunned.
She nods, "You know, someday?" She questions, trying to make it sound like she's vaguely interested. I can see the intensity in her eyes though. It must be an inherited trait.
"I suppose someday I might." I glance at Truex. Who is slouched on the couch with his head back and eyes closed, smirking his fool head off.
Easton isn't so silent, unfortunately. "I can't even imagine the offspring you'd produce. They're sure to have cloven hooves."
"You think so? And what about your kids?" I inquire.
"They'll be as handsome as their daddy." He replies, easily.
"Oh, so you plan to adopt?" I ask, seriously. Making Truex laugh.
Easton grins. "Well done." He states, holding up his hand for a high five and I slap his open palm. "What about Truex, what will his kids be like?" Easton asks, ominously. Deep in thought and faking a full body shiver at whatever image he's conjured up.
"Handsome, like their daddy." I answer, feeling the hand that Truex has resting on my hip tighten. I smile mischievously up at Easton as he fakes outrage.
"I see how it is." He replies, suspiciously.
I'm about to respond but I see Mya, in a beautiful gown coming towards us. She looks so happy it's definitely contagious. I can feel myself smiling from ear to ear.
When she steps on the pedestal and looks at herself I can see she likes it, but has reservations. "Mya, its gorgeous." Debbie states, getting teary eyed.
"I like it. I just don't love it." She replies, honestly. Taking in her appearance.
"It doesn't have the back you really want." I comment. Adamant that she gets exactly what she has envisioned in her mind. "The silhouette is perfect though." I add, positively.
"Exactly, I want this fit, but with a low back." She says, turning to Kristen. They go try another dress and we wait. I watch the other brides happily trying on dresses.
"You want to pick out your dress?" Easton asks, smirking at me. "I mean we're here. Now is the time." He encourages, patting my knee.
I glare at him, "The likely hood of me in a wedding dress is about the same odds of finding you in one."
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"Hey, you don't know my life or what I do when I'm alone." He snaps, playfully.
I take in his build and height, scoffing. "You couldn't find a dress your size, Lurch." I tease.
"Lurch!" He chuckles. Then he leans towards me, "I feel a bet coming on." He winks, rubbing his hands together.
I laugh, "Oh, yes please."
He stands up and calls over a woman who is walking past in all black and a name tag. "Ma'am, I was curious if you could help settle a bet. Are there any dresses here that could fit a man of my size?" He inquires, interested.
She looks shocked to be asked. "Not without extreme alterations."
I smirk knowingly. "Told ya, Lurch."
He scowls at me. "It doesn't have to fit perfect. I just have to get it on." He explains.
She hesitates briefly, before smiling awkwardly. "I can look."
"Thank you." He replies, as she walks away. "What's the bet?" He questions, encouraged by the search.
"Name it." I state, knowing I'll win.
"You have to get married." He smiles.
"I'm not marrying, Truex." I argue, taking the bet off the table.
He shrugs. "Me then."
"Fuck off." Truex says, opening his eyes.
Easton ignores him. "What do you say?" He questions, gesturing to himself.
I pretend to think about it as I look him over, he starts to flex his biceps, making me laugh, "I say...that I'd rather just buy you a beer if you win."
"Five beers." He negotiates.
"Three." I counter offer.
He nods. "Deal. But you do realize you're potentially missing out on a lifetime of waking up and seeing this face." He states, smugly.
"I know. I dodged a bullet there." I reply, in exaggerated relief.
"You're not nice. Tell me something complimentary." He pouts.
"Uh...You have a great personality?"
"Why'd that sound like a question?" He growls, making me laugh.
Finally, I watch Mya walk out wearing the most delicate and stunning dress I've ever seen. Its perfectly her and when she stands in front of the mirrors I know its what she has been searching for.
"Baby, thats it." Debbie cries. Digging tissues out of her purse.
"Mya, its perfection." I add in awe.
She nods, happily. "It's exactly what I was looking for. I don't want to change a thing on this dress."
"Easton? Truex?" Mya asks, apprehensively.
"I'd marry you." Easton replies, making her laugh.
"Its you." Truex comments.
She practically jumps when she turns to, Kristen. "This is the one."
Kristen insists of finding a vail for Mya, so she walks away to find some samples. I stand up to inspect the gown closely. "I was starting to think what you were looking for didn't exist, but here it is." I remark, touching the delicate white lace.
"Do you think Tate will like it?" She asks.
"No, he'll love it. Its sexy, yet classy." I tell her.
"Sir, I have a couple dresses that might fit you." I hear, making my head spin around. I forgot all about the bet!
"You're not trying on a dress." Mya states, amused.
"Only if you want me too." Easton replies, clearly regretting the bet now that the prospect of trying them on is here.
"Okay, what's the bet?" Mya questions, curiously.
"Well, Briar here thinks I can't fit my perfectly trimmed body, Her words not mine, into a wedding dress. If I can she owes me some beers, if I lose, I buy." Easton, explains.
"The stakes are high. You better start trying them on." Mya states, in all seriousness.
Mya picked the first vail that she tried on and we wait for Easton to make his entrance, and boy does he. He's definitely in a wedding dress, but I wouldn't say he's wearing it. The bodice stops at mid chest and is miles too short for him. The whole room is watching him as he walks towards our party, he's certainly proud of himself. "Do you love it?" He asks, dramatically.
I nod. "You win. But was it worth this humiliation?" I ask, snapping a picture.
He shakes his head. "I've made a huge mistake."
"You're just realizing that now?" Truex asks, taking his own picture.
"You both deserve each other." He states, walking back to the dressing room.
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8 181I Attacked Because I was Afraid of Death
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8 90Imperfect Master • akakuro ✓
© March 2015[Book Two of KnB Trilogy]• unrevised •"Convince me if you're worthy of my forgiveness." He said--And he did, til he finally receive his love again after three years.
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