Elevator Pitch (Hapless In Love #1)

67. Wear The Damn Dress

67

wear the damn dress

Selah

Manhattan, NY | April 27, 2024

Chess made a house call to help me get ready when I called her freaking out last night. I made the mistake of looking up Aileen on social media. I’m not sure what I expected her to look like, but she’s fucking perfect. She’s petite, thin, and beautiful. There’s never a hair out of place and the woman is always ready for a photo opportunity. She’s regal and classy. She’s marrying a billionaire and looks the part. Like she gets invited to high tea. Greyson was once married to that woman. I know they met in college, and she was his first love. It was a long time ago and I understand what they say about comparison being the thief of joy.

I shouldn’t even be worried. She’s marrying someone else and I’m pretty sure I blew it with him. It’s just that she and I couldn’t be more opposite. I know I’m overthinking it, but I wonder what Greyson sees in me if that was someone he once loved and hoped to spend the rest of his life with. I consider that if she hadn’t walked out all those years ago, they’d still be married. I don’t know anything about Aileen other than what I found online and what Greyson has told me. I don’t even know if he was happy with her, but I’ve created this whole situation from nothing.

I’m mentally preparing myself for my most ridiculous plan to date. Even though he professed his love, and I panicked, I promised I’d be his date to the wedding, and I fully intend to keep my word. I don’t know what I was thinking texting him and using the wedding as an icebreaker. I was on a high after therapy and once he responded, I shelled up, deciding to keep it simple. I would love to tell him everything if he’d be willing to hear me out.

When I reached out the other day, I was sure he’d leave me on read, but to my surprise he didn’t. Greyson is still on board and plans to be my fake boyfriend tonight. I can guarantee he’ll do a spectacular job since he already does by default. I’ll just need to push down these feelings about our fight and words left unsaid to match his energy and remember that it’s a little game we’re playing. A secret that only we know. A dream that expires at dawn. We agreed to this, so, I’ll enjoy it while it lasts and be the best fake girlfriend ever. It’ll be bittersweet to get a taste of what it’s like to have him in that way, knowing it’s likely that I won’t. That’s why tonight is so important. If we can get one more day, I’ll cherish it forever.

“Close your eyes,” Chess orders.

I shut my eyes, and she generously spritzes my face with setting spray. I fan myself until it dries, and when I open my eyes, I’m stunned. I admire my soft, glam makeup in the mirror, and I’m obsessed. Chess takes my pin curls down and applies the product before softly brushing them into soft waves. I hold my breath while she sets the style with hairspray.

Audrey sent over a dress this morning that she described as ‘sickening.’ It’s crimson red and I told her I thought that color was a little over the top for a wedding and would outshine the bride. Then she assured me, there’s no such thing as ‘over the top’ at a black-tie wedding. And as someone who knows the bride personally, she said, “Trust me. Wear the damn dress and walk in there with her ex-husband. Thank me later.” I refrain from looking at it as it hangs on the back of my door.

Chess helps me step into the crimson full-length gown. I’m surprised to see the thigh slit, and in that moment, I am very happy I shaved my legs above the knee last night. I pull it up and secure my taped breasts into the corset bodice and she grabs the asymmetrical strap to secure it in the back.

I am so nervous to see how I look. I trust Aud’s taste, but I feel like I must look so fucking snatched walking in there beside Greyson. Everyone is going to be looking at him and wondering who he’s moved on with. Knowing I’m the person he wants to be with for real and we’re pretending to be a couple today, it’s important we look damn good together and this dress has to quiet my insecurities about myself.

“We are all secure, doll. Come see how fucking hot you look,” Chess advises. “I’m going to call Aud really quick on FaceTime so she can see your final look.”

She answers after two rings. “Honey, I couldn’t have picked a better dress. It was made for you,” she says through the phone. Her voice filled with pride.

I take a deep breath and slowly turn towards the mirror in my bedroom. The one Greyson installed, I smile to myself when I think about that and hold my eyes shut a second longer. When I open them, I’m baffled. If my makeup wasn’t already done, I’d be crying. I’ve never worn a prettier dress in my life.

“That’s why I said to thank me later. I love you, honey! I’ll see you in a bit. Love you, Chess!“ she says.

“Love you too,” we say in unison before the call ends.

Chess gives me a moment to really appreciate how I look. I see her reflection eyeing me in the mirror.

“You still think the bride is more beautiful than you?”

I turn toward her, but I’m at a loss for words. I manage a soft smile as I hold back tears and shake my head.

“Good. Between you and me. She never was. Even before you got all done up. ”

“I love you,” I say and wrap my arms around her in a hug.

“I love you too. You better not cry and fuck up my hard work,” she chuckles. “However, if you do, I’m a professional and can fix it.”

We’re interrupted when my doorbell rings.

It’s him.

Chess goes to let him inside while I make sure I’ve got everything I need before I go. The butterflies in my stomach are fluttering wildly and I really hope this dress isn’t too much. I feel gorgeous and it’s not like I would change into anything else, I’m just anxious. Once I hear his voice, my heart starts racing. I take a few deep breaths before I leave my bedroom.

When I emerge from the hallway, he takes me in with parted lips. His eyes say plenty before he does and that makes me smile wide while avoiding his intense eye contact. “Selah, you are perfection. I’m mesmerized right now. Fuck,” he chuckles nervously. “I’ve never seen a dress like that. It’s remarkable.”

I’m certain I’m blushing.

He looks me over before he wraps me in a tight hug, and we stay like that for a moment and I sink into him.

“I missed you,” he says softly.

His head rests upon mine and he rubs the bare skin on my back. He takes a deep breath as we pull apart and he grabs my hand. I smile at the contact because I realize how much I missed it during this time apart.

“You ready?”

I nod and take his hand as he leads me out the door.

His words replay in my head and my earlier insecurities melt away.

I’m mesmerized right now.

You are perfection.