Most would say their favorite part about owning a bridal shop was seeing how happy the bride was when she found her dress. But for me it was closing time. It was hanging up all the discarded dresses, feeling each fabric beneath my fingertips. Thinking about how each one will make some girl the happiest person on the planet.
It was an odd thing to like, but for me it gave me some sort of peace at the end of the day. It was something I use to watch my mom do. At the end of the day she would go through each dress, sometimes moving them around as if she knew the next day someone would come looking for that exact dress.
I use to sit at the counter watching as she moved around the quiet empty store, stuck in her own little world. Always wondering what went through her head. One day I did ask her why she did what she did and her answer was simple.
It is my job to make some women feel the most confident, beautiful, person she can be on her special day. The dress is the most important part of the wedding and if I can make that day even more special than I have succeeded. Most don't believe bridal shops are important but little do they know we have the most important job.
I never really understood it but once I saw the effect of finding the perfect dress for their perfect day, I understood what my mom meant. The look on their face was priceless. After I experienced what my mom meant I found myself doing exactly what she did at the end of everyday. Made me feel even more connected to her, like every time I did this she was right beside me doing the same.
After doing my usual rounds of making sure everything was put away and good for tomorrow, I finally locked the store down and headed for my car. I was already dreading going home because I knew Hannah was laying in wait for me to walk through the front door. The moment I do she will pounce.
Throughout the rest of the work day she kept giving me looks about going on the double date, and each time I would ignore her. She had no idea how depressing it was going on these dates with her. It never ended up well. On her end it did. She would go home with the guy while I was stuck either fending off the friend or going home alone.
Going home alone while knowing she was off being happy with someone just made it even worse. Part of it was my fault because I truly never tried. I was nice to the guys and made conversation but my heart wasn't in it.
I wasn't looking for a relationship, haven't for years. I didn't....I didn't have it in me to love someone like that anymore.
That was something Hannah couldn't wrap her head around. She felt that by now I should be ready to find someone and if I didn't want love I could at least hook up with the person. A little fun never hurt someone, she would repeatedly say. I just wasn't like that. I don't hook up.
As soon as I walked up to the door of my apartment I took a deep breath. Just let her say what she wants but hold your ground. Don't say yes. I told myself firmly.
Opening the door I fully expected Hannah to launch at me immediately but instead it was oddly quiet. Confused I closed the door behind me and ventured further into the apartment. I could hear the soft murmurs of the voices on tv but that was it. No loud music playing, no horrible singing coming from the kitchen as Hannah made dinner. Hell I even expected a loud 'HA' to come out from behind me at any moment.
"Hannah?" I called out. Maybe she wasn't home?
Coming around the corner to the living room I first saw the tv going before my eyes landed on Hannah. She was silently sitting on the couch, crossed legged, staring directly at the tv. Uhh.
"Han?" I spoke, coming further into the room. "You okay?"
"Good you are home." When she spoke her voice was low and it almost sounded like she was trying to speak in an accent. I moved to stand in front of the tv, directly across from her. The sight before me made me grin.
Hannah was seated on the couch, our cat Milo, laying in her lap as she stroke his fur. She had a hard look on her face as she stared at me.
"You come into my home-" She started, once again speaking in a Boston/New York accent, although it was far from it.
"What the hell are you doing?" I laughed breaking her speech.
"Bellaaa." She groaned, throwing her head back. "I was trying to intimidate you." My grin got wider.
"Maybe lose the fake accent next time." I suggested. Milo jumped off of her lap, making his way towards me, further ruining the scene Hannah had tried so hard to set up. "Hey buddy." I crouched down, rubbing the purring kitty.
"How long have you been sitting here waiting for me?"
"Twenty minutes." She muttered standing up.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"I ordered Chinese so go get changed before it gets here." At the mention of Chinese my mouth instantly watered.
"I could kiss you right now." I was beyond starving and nothing was better than So Ho's Chinese house from down the street.
"If only I swung that way." She winked at me before disappearing into the kitchen. Laughing I straightened back up and headed for my room. More than ready to get into some comfy clothes. If only I could work in sweats, I'd be the happiest person on the planet.
I was in the middle of taking my makeup off when I heard the doorbell ring. That alone sent me into action. I took off my makeup faster than normal and practically ran into the living room. Instantly the smell of Chinese hit me.
"Food." I moaned.
One thing that bonded me and Hannah almost instantly was food. When we went to a restaurant for the first time together and she ordered the biggest burrito on the menu, I knew I met my soul mate. It could be a bit scary how much both of us could eat in one sitting.
After we both filled out plates, moved to the couch, and ate a few bites did Hannah finally start talking again.
"So about before." She started. Damn, a part of me wished she had forgotten about it.
"Do we have to talk about this?" I asked around a mouthful of noodles.
"Yes we do."
"Han I'm not ready." I muttered, looking down at my plate of food. I pushed my food around, the sudden topic making me lose my appetite.
"Bella it's been five years."
"I know." I whispered. It may have been five years ago but it still felt like yesterday that my heart was ripped out of my chest."Bella," Hannah put her plate down and turned to face me. Her voice was so soft as she spoke. "It was not your fault. If it’s anyone's fault it's his."I shook my head at that. I would love to blame Harold James for breaking my heart but I just couldn't. Most of it was on me. I knew at the time we never would have worked. We lived in two different worlds and the idiotic part of me believed it didn't matter. But in the end it did."You know...maybe it just wasn't the right timing. You both had other goals in mind, different paths to travel, and then with your mom..." She trailed off on the last part, not sure how I would take it. I sent her a little smile letting her know her mentioning my mom wasn't going to send me in a tailspin."I know. It just wasn't meant to be." I tried to play it off cool but we both knew I was lyi
The next two days seemed to fly by. When you don't want something to arrive time always seems to go faster. I wasn't necessarily dreading going to the double date but I wasn't looking forward to it either. I'm pretty sure Hannah is going to end up leaving me to fend for myself with Ryan's friend. I just prayed he wasn't some creep like last time."I heard you have a date tonight." Rina nudged my side as she came up to the desk. Rina was a part time employee, working a few shifts here and there while going to school. She was probably one of the most bubbliest people you'll ever meet. She's almost a female bugs bunny."It's not really a date.""Are you sure about that?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "From the sound of it the two guys you are meeting tonight are severely hot.""I wouldn't know." I shrugged."You don't even know what your date looks like? Do you even know his name?" She almost yelled incredulously. I guess it never really occurred to me
"Meet you here in half an hour." With that she disappeared into her own room. I stared after her for a minute before shaking my head. With nothing else to do I went to my own room to shower. If I didn't, I know for sure Hannah will come in here and kill me.I took my time getting in the shower. Personally I was in no rush to get ready. Wasn't like I was going to impress anyone. I had full plans on coming home alone after this date and watching some tv before bed. Just a usual Friday for me.I did take some time to wash my hair and make sure my legs were shaved. Wasn't going to show up to the restaurant looking like a Yeti. I may not have a boyfriend but I wasn't going to go outside looking like a cave person.Humming under my breath as I came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I didn't notice Hannah sitting there until she cleared her throat. Cursing I jumped, clenching the towel tighter around me."Fuckdon't do that!" I hissed, my
Hannah and Ryan had agreed to meet at a new Italian restaurant just on the outskirts of our city Everett, Massachusetts. From what Hannah has told me Ryan lives closer to Boston so it was the perfect place to meet.Seeing that Han and Ryan haven't seen each other in a month I took the liberty of driving my car so I could at least get home afterwards. I had no plans of her coming back with me tonight. Not that I blamed her always.The closer we got to the restaurant the more nervous Hannah became. She jiggled her foot constantly and tapped her fingers against her thigh, making the bracelets on her wrists jingle. It slowly grated on my nerves but I ignored it seeing how worked up she was getting.It was still shocking seeing this side of Hannah. She's never one to be nervous when meeting someone. She's always been the life of the party, making friends with everyone and anyone at clubs or parties. Can't tell you how many times we've suddenly become friends with peo
Flashback...."Everyone I need your design ideas by the end of the week! As soon as you get me them the sooner I can approve and you can start. Remember you will have a little over 6 months to complete your final project. It is worth 70% of your grade."The class murmured at the new information. 70% was insane and just added to the pressure of making the best designs ever. I gazed around the room at all the talented designers the class had, anxiety washing over me. I was nowhere near as good as half the people here."You can either had them in or send me them over email. You have until Friday." The professor dismissed us. Great I now only have 4 days to come up with an idea and send it in. No pressure."What was I thinking taking this class." One of my friends, Elisa, in the class muttered. I whole heartedly agreed with her. As much as I hated to hate on this class it was one of my favorites. I loved designing and this was the perfect pla
Flashback continued....The two of us were quiet for a moment as he softly wiped the blood on my knees away with a cloth. The silence was a bit stifling and I didn't do well with pure silence."Looks like someone isn't going to make quarterback any time soon." I tried to joke again. He chuckled again, the sound filling my ears and making my chest tighten. How can someone have a sexy laugh? Cause he sure did."I'm actually the quarterback." He looked back up at me with the corner of his lip tilted in a small smirk.It took a second before it finally struck me.Holy shit balls.How did I not notice before! He was Harold James, star quarterback for our football team. He was a big shot on campus for leading our team to multiple championships and most likely going to the NFL at the end of the school year."Oh god. I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you!" I stammered out. I just told the star quarterback he needed to wo
Present..."Harold?" Standing in front of me was the last person I thought I'd ever see. Out of all the people on the planet Ryan's friend was none other than Harold James, aka my ex-boyfriend."Bella." He seemed just as shocked to see me."You two know each other?" Ryan asked, looking between the two of us. I had no clue what to say so I just nodded.As the two of us stood there frozen my eyes moved on their own, taking him in. The last five years has really done him well. Harold's always been in great shape with football, literally had the body every guy wish they had and girls wanted in a guy. Now he seemed to fill out a bit more.His shoulders seemed wider and his waist trimmer, a lot less bulky than in college. The dark grey dress shirt he had on hugged his upper body nicely, showing off his biceps. The sleeves were rolled up to this elbows. My eyes widened as I noticed the tattoos running up both his arms. Damn, those were ne
Harold....She looked different. Good different but different none the less. Seeing Bella sitting across from me made me feel like I fallen into another universe. I had absolutely no clue she was going to be my double date tonight. When Ryan said his girlfriend was bringing her friend he never once mentioned her name or anything about her.I wasn't prepared to turn around and see her standing there. Standing there in what had to be one of the sexiest dresses I've ever seen in my life. I could do nothing but stand there and take her in. Everything from the way her bright red hair stood out against the white dress, to the way the said dress hugged her curves.Bella looked different than when I last saw her five years ago. The obvious was that her hair was longer but it was still that same bright red that caught my attention five years ago. The same red hair I imagined in my sleep.She also seemed to have grown into her body more. I wasn't e