I glanced down at my bags. I had to admit, they were getting heavy. “No, I just got a few extra things.”

“I’ll say.” Her eyes widened. “You were pretty busy while I was on the phone. What did you get?”

“Uhhh…I found a few bargains in the shoe department and on some pocketbooks,” I replied defensively. “And they had the coolest eyebrow highlighter at the makeup counter. It’s a chunky pencil that accents your brows. And look, I even got a free gift when I bought it and a couple of other things. It’s a makeup bag with a mini moisturizer, mascara, eye cream, and lip balm.”

“I’ve never seen you buy so much, but shop till you drop girlie!”

I shrugged my shoulders as a wave of guilt went through me. Maybe I had gone a little overboard—ok, a lot overboard. But Justin did say to have fun. Well, I just wouldn’t buy anything else today.

“Let’s go to the fancy dress department and look at the bridal gowns. I want to see what’s out there…you know—just in case, Roger asks me to…to marry him!”

Kim’s voice ended in a sing-song. I knew she was counting on Roger asking for hand at Phil’s Prime Steakhouse. I was so excited for her.

“I bet he’s going to ask you!”

“I hope so!”

“Now, tell me again, what kind of wedding dress are you looking for?” I teased as we went up the escalator. Kim had talked about the type of dress she’d wanted for so long I almost felt like she already owned it!

“My dress should be white, long, beaded, with an open back, trumpet style, off the shoulder…oh my God—just like that!” Kim lifted her arm and pointed to a mannequin that became visible as the escalator arrived on the second floor. “That’s exactly what I want!”

“It’s gorgeous!” I said as we hurried over to it as if someone was going to snatch it off the mannequin any minute and take off with it.

Kim fingered the price tag and smiled. “It’s reasonably priced too. It’s a winner.”

“You have to try it on. I can’t wait to see you in it.”

She pouted. “Well, this looks like a size two. I don’t think I could even squeeze my leg into it.”

“Hopefully they’ll have more.” I waved my hand towards the large retail space. “There are a lot of clothes in here!”

“Do you seriously think they’ll have it in my size? I’m sure they’ll have to special order it.”

I pursed my lips. She was right. It could be very hard to find plus size dresses, let alone wedding dresses. “I don’t know…but they might.”

“Ok, Libby,” Kim said hopefully. “Why don’t you look around for bridesmaid dresses that will work with the style and I’ll see if I can find a clerk.”

“Short…long...what kind of bridesmaid dresses?”

“Just see what you like and we’ll go from there,” Kim said, waving me off excitedly.

As Kim took off to find a clerk, I walked over towards a rack of short dresses. It would be so nice to find something I could wear for more than just Kim’s wedding. A short, sexy little number in black would be perfect. I already had several long, overpriced ugly bridesmaid dresses in God awful colors hanging in my closet and I sure didn’t want to add another one to the mix. To my surprise, there were quite a few dresses on the rack in my size. That was a good omen for Kim. If they had all these in my size, there was a chance they had the wedding dress in her size.

As I thumbed through the hangers looking for something to compliment the dress Kim liked, I spied a shiny gold cocktail dress. It was stunning, but so totally not me. With my size, I wore a lot of dark colors and not a lot of bling unless I was borrowing from Kim; then I went more colorful—but just a little. This sweet gold number just sparkled. The low-cut, crisscross neckline hooked behind the neck revealing an open back. It was obviously meant to hug the curves but the rayon, nylon and spandex material felt forgiving. I did a double take as I glanced at the tag. It was in my size, but the price…it was crazy! But there was no harm in trying it on.

“Damn,” Kim’s voice called out, “they don’t make that wedding dress in my size.”

I looked up to see Kim walking towards me dejectedly.

“The largest it comes in is a fourteen,” she grimaced.

“That stinks. Why is it that the cutest clothes only come in small sizes when lots of women need bigger sizes?”

“Oh well, it’s not like he’s proposed yet anyway. Did you find something?” She glanced at the dress I was holding in my hands. “Pretty! It looks so shiny.”

I held up the gold dress. “It’s cute, huh, but…” I widened my eyes. “I was going to try it on, but it’s pricey.” I started to put it back on the rack, but Kim stopped me.

“It’s gorgeous. Let’s at least see what it looks like.”

I had to admit I was eager to do just that, so while she watched my bags, I took the shimmering number into the fitting room and tried it on.

“What does it look like?” Kim called from outside the dressing room.

“It’s really pretty,” I said as I gazed at myself in the mirror. It was more than pretty, it was gorgeous. And it fit me like it had been made for me. The fabric highlighted my curves without being too clingy. The color lit up my hair and eyes.

“Let me see,” she insisted.

“Ok,” I said, pulling the door open.

“Wow! I mean wow! You look amazing!”

“Thanks,” I said softly.

“It looks fantastic on you!”

I lifted up the tag. “But it’s so expensive.”

“…yeah there’s that,” Kim pursed her lips. “How much is it?”

Kim stared at me in shock as I read the price to her. “Whoa!”

“I just wish it was more affordable—maybe when it goes on sale.” But I knew this dress would probably never go on sale. It was going to sell fast. I went back into the dressing room, reluctantly took it off and got dressed. I knew that Justin said I could buy a few things, but this was over the top. I put the dress back on the hanger, carried it out of the dressing room, and hung it on a rack hiding it behind a bunch of other dresses. Even though I couldn’t afford it, I didn’t want anyone else to have it either.

“Let’s get going,” I said to Kim. “I have a few things to do before Justin gets home.”

Kim eyed my bags. “Are you sure you don’t want to do a little more shopping?” she teased.

“Ha! I think I’m good.” But as we walked to the escalator that would take us back to the main level, I stopped. The thought of someone else wearing my dress was eating me up. “I have to buy it!”