December 21st
Mira took a look at the tag, flipping it over in her hand. No price on it. That wasn’t a good sign. She glanced in the saleswoman’s direction and was met head on by a snooty glare. She looked like the kind of woman who would say stuff like, ‘if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.’ Which was a ridiculous saying – even rich people needed to know how much things cost.
Martha and Ariel brought her to the most exclusive bridal shop in town. They served dainty cucumber sandwiches, petit fours, and bellinis to their customers. This was not her kind of place, and she knew without being told they weren’t her kind of prices.
Branch was completely unfazed by everything that was happening. He strolled up and down glancing at the dresses in between making phone calls. Mira was glad he had showed up. Every so often his mother started tearing up and he chastised her for being too emotional.
Mira picked out another dress and oh, it was just like Cinderella’s wedding dress. She bet it cost an absolute bomb.
How could she consciously allow them to buy her a dress like this? One only to be worn for a fake ceremony?
Mira jumped as the saleswoman sidled up behind her.
“Has madam found something she likes?” sneered the woman.
“Umm…”
“Or perhaps there are other dresses more in your budget,” her eyes flickered down to Mira’s knock-off Uggs, “and better suited to your… proportions.” Her eyes flickered all over Mira at that.
Branch strode up to them and gave the dress a dispassionate once over. “You like it?”
“I do, but…”
He glared at the saleswoman, and she flinched and immediately started cowering. She wasn’t part of the herd, but she wasn’t immune to an alpha stare. Mira was impressed – she wished she had that ability in high school.
“Find it in my fiancée’s size,” he ordered.
The saleswoman actually curtsied and then ran off to do as she was told.
“Wow,” murmured Mira in admiration. “Remind me to take you shopping to the organic market sometime. There’s a guy there who treats me like a murderer for eating honey. He deserves to be taken down a peg or two.”
Branch quirked an eyebrow. “Honey?”
“Yeah, he says bees are the ‘littlest victims.’”
“He sounds like fun.”
She sobered as she thought of the dress again. “Seriously, you don’t have to spend this much on a dress. I’d be happy with something from a department store. Or even I could wear a dress I already own.”
“It’s just a dress, Mira,” he said with a slight hint of exasperation. “It’s really nothing. Now go and get undressed. I’m sure she’ll be back in a moment… if she knows what’s good for her.”
“You got it… dude.”
She didn’t wait to see his reaction, but she could feel the displeasure emanating from him as she disappeared into the changing room. He did not like being called dude for some reason.
Mira slipped out of her shoes and clothes, waiting for the dress to arrive. She would probably look more ‘Witch of the South’ than ‘Cinderella,’ but she supposed she might as well try it now. It was probably the only opportunity she would ever have to wear a dress like this.
The dress erupted into the changing room first – it was indeed a little unwieldy. But rather than seeing the saleswoman’s face peeking out from behind it, she spotted Branch.
“Branch!” she squeaked trying to cover herself. “What are you doing here?”
“She’s gone to find more dresses and rather than prolong this, I…”
He paused on realizing she was only in her underwear. Kris Kringle! She wished she had taken her socks off. She also wished she had worn matching underwear – not that she owned any.
His eyes seemed to darken as he took every inch of her in.
“Branch!”
She took the dress from him and as quickly as possible – which wasn’t very – she pulled it on. It was like fighting with a very large marshmallow.
Eventually, she won and she was staring at herself in the mirror. Wow. Branch was behind her, gazing down at her with a strange expression on his face.
“Can you zip me up?” she asked softly.
He nodded and his fingers grazed her back as he reached for the zip. Slowly he fastened the dress and then rested his hands on her waist.
She was perhaps shorter and plumper, but she definitely saw a little Cinderella in her. It was a fairytale dress and it made her feel magical, until she remembered that she wasn’t having a fairytale wedding.
“What do you think?” she asked, lifting the skirt up to see how easily she could move in it. “Too much?”
“I’d lose the pink socks,” he muttered.
Mira looked down and wiggled her toes. “Yes, I think you’re right about that.”
“You look…” he started and Mira abruptly looked up to meet his gaze.
There was something in his eyes, something hopeful, something wonderful. He took a step closer to her; his hands moved to settle on her stomach. His body pressed against hers and instinctively she leaned back against his solidness, his warmth. It felt so comfortable, so right to be in his arms.
“You look…” he repeated, his voice lowering to a husky drawl. Mira held her breath.
“Hey, are you ready in there?” called his mom.
“Come out and show us the dress!” yelled Ariel giddily.
Branch let out a low, animalistic growl and rested his head on hers. “Prepare yourself. They will cry.”
Mira smiled sadly. She might too.