Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 68

My mouth drops, “I-is this the entire dress shop?”

“‘Yes dear, your fiancé said you were a little nervous about other customers in the shop seeing some burn scars, so he paid for me to close the shop for the day and bring everything here. That way you’re in the privacy of your own home. Who am I to say no if Bronx Mason personally calls says he is getting married? This is a beautiful mansion by the way, so many employees!” 1

“Oh, thank you, ma’am. They’re like family. I can’t imagine what we would do without them,” I say still in awe as I look around my living room. She is clearly human, so we can’t let on that we’re werewolves. I’m not sure why she is so impressed by Bronx personally calling but he is well aware that I don’t care anymore if people see my scars. It’s just a cover story. I am more comfortable with my body nowadays. But it is such a sweet gesture by him. Now I don’t have t o have anxiety over the real reason I was worried about going to her shop. I don’t even want to think about how much it cost Bronx to have this sweet woman move her entire store inventory to my living room.

“No need to call me ma’am, dear. I’m Sheila. These are my assistants Lisa and Suzel,” she smiles at me as she points to the younger women standing beside her, “Let’s get started. Suzel will help the bridesmaids select some styles for us to look at while Lisa and I help you find your perfect dress.”

Sheila turns to my three bridesmaids, “Lenora, dear, are you due before or after the wedding?”

“Oh, before. In five weeks actually,” she responds, holding her plump belly.

“Perfect. We should be able to have all three of the bridesmaids wear matching dresses if that i s what you prefer, Miss Latmus. Now,” she turns back to me, “my paperwork says your name i s Iokaste but you go by Kas. So unique, what’s the origin of such a pretty name?”

“It’s Greek. My parents were both from there. It means violet.”

“That’s beautiful! Steeped in tradition, I’m sure.”

“Oh, yes ma’am. I mean Sheila. Deeply steeped in tradition. Also, please just call me Kas,” I hear the girls giggle beside me.

“Alright then, Kas. We are going to have a good time today. Let’s get started!” Sheila says in a sing song voice. She seems like the type of woman that likes to give hugs to strangers, “Now, what type of dress did you have in mind? What do you imagine looking like on your big day?”

“I’d like to look like a goddess, Sheila. I have some clippings from magazines,” I pull out my binder and start flipping through. To my surprise, she didn’t bat an eye at my statement. I thought for sure it would come off sounding conceited.

fingers as I show her my ideas and even a couple of sketches I did on my own. Suzel and Lisa also look over our shoulders murmuring about style numbers, neck lines, and

broadly, “I have several options in mind. Mr. Mason said spare no expense. So, at his request, there are no price tags

slightly at Bronx’s power move. That sneaky snake. I look over to my bridesmaids who are all avoiding eye contact with me. Okay. Now

open backs for our statuesque bridesmaids. Empire style will look beautiful. It will go with the

with a genuine smile, “I agree. We should all

at my bridesmaids, who all giggle,

up a clipboard and

a partition to undress. While Sheila

fire?” Lisa says

lucky to survive. No need to apologize. I’ve gotten used to them now that I’m older,” I say, “Everyone who will be at the wedding knows and I kind of want it to be a badge of honor, so if we can find a dress for me that

a wedding dress wizard,” she smiles just

it is just not the one. The second one doesn’t flatter my figure. But the third one, feels different. Like it is meant for

she makes some final adjustments to the straps, “Come on,

in the mirror at the women behind me. I see

mouth. Her eyes are wide and glassy. Delilah is standing, with her hands on her

look back to myself in the mirror. The dress is exactly what I envisioned. There are clusters of metallic silver olive leaves capping each shoulder, flowing sheer fabric begins where the leaves end on the back of my shoulders, making it look like a long, sheer, pleated cape. The fabric extends to the floor creating a beautiful, long train. The back of the dress comes to a V near the small of my back. The front also has soft pleats

dress, we’re gonna have a problem,” Lenora sniffles from

like I was always meant to wear this dress. I look like a goddess. I mean,

Kas. We look gorgeous,” Lex whispers in my mind as Lisa and Suzel pin the bottom

real until now, Lex. It was all just

You look so much like her,”

“Who? My mother?”