Chapter 3 Out You Go

Chapter 3: Out You Go

Noelle stepped out of the dressing room wearing the first dress Grace had picked for her. It was a sleek, fitted gown with a mermaid silhouette. The fabric clung to her curves before flaring out dramatically at the knees. She smoothed her hands nervously over the fabric and stepped in front of the mirror.

"Well?" she asked, glancing over at Grace, who was perched on a plush chair with her arms crossed.

Grace tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she examined Noelle. After a moment of silence, she gave a firm shake of her head. "No. It's too... restrictive. It's not you."

Noelle let out a relieved laugh, turning back toward the dressing room. "I was thinking the same thing. I could barely breathe in this thing!"

"Next one!" Grace called out as Noelle disappeared behind the curtain.

The next dress was a strapless ball gown, the skirt billowing out like a cloud of tulle. Noelle stepped out and the dress swished softly as she moved.

"Oh, no," Grace said immediately, waving her hand dismissively. "You look like you're drowning in frosting."

Noelle burst out laughing. "Frosting? That's a new one."

Grace grinned. "What can I say? I have a gift for metaphors. Go try the next one."

The third dress was a sleek A-line gown with delicate lace sleeves and a high neckline. Noelle stepped out cautiously, unsure of how she felt about it.

Grace tapped her chin thoughtfully, her lips pursed. "Hmm... It's better, but it's too modest. You're marrying Adrian Blackwood, for heaven's sake. We need something that says, 'I'm the luckiest bride alive,' not 'I'm here to teach Sunday school.'"

Noelle rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but chuckle. "You're impossible, Grace."

"And you love me for it," Grace shot back with a wink. "Now go try the next one!"

The process continued as each dress earned a shake of Grace's head and a witty remark. Some were too plain, others too over-the-top. One dress had a train so long that Noelle joked she'd need a separate car just to transport it.

Finally, the attendant brought out a gown that made Grace sit up a little straighter in her seat. "Try this one," she said, her tone more serious than before.

Noelle took the dress into the fitting room, running her fingers over the delicate lace and soft satin. It was simple yet elegant, with a sweetheart neckline and a flowing skirt that seemed to shimmer under the light.

When she stepped out of the dressing room, Grace's eyes widened. Noelle walked to the mirror with her heart skipping a beat as she saw herself in the gown. It was perfect. The fabric hugged her figure just enough to accentuate her shape without feeling overwhelming. The lace details along the neckline and sleeves added a touch of romance, and the way the skirt flowed made her feel like she was walking on air.

Grace stood up with her hands clasped together. "That's the one."

"Really?" Noelle asked, turning to face her.

"Really," Grace said, her voice soft. "It's you, Noelle. It's perfect."

Noelle turned back to the mirror and a smile spread across her face as she twirled slightly, watching the skirt flare out around her. "I think... I think you're right."

And while the two were busy admiring the dress Noelle was wearing, as if on cue, the door opened catching their attention. Noelle looked up in the mirror and her eyes immediately widened when she saw Adrian standing behind them.

The way his amber eyes locked onto her made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. And Adrian who truly was seeing her as the most beautiful woman, froze in place. His gaze began drinking her in as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.

"Noelle..." he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.

She turned to face him fully with her cheeks flushed red. "Adrian! What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't stay away," he admitted, stepping closer. His eyes never left hers as his expression showed his awe and adoration to her. "I had to see you."

Grace smirked, taking a step back to give them some space. "Well, I'd say your timing is impeccable, cousin."

Adrian ignored Grace entirely, his eyes kept locked on Noelle as if she were the only person in the world. He stepped closer, gently taking her hands in his, his touch warm and steady. His gaze traveled over her as admiration and awe etched into every line of his face.

"Can we get married right now?" Adrian asked, his voice soft but filled with an undeniable intensity. His lips curved into a playful smile, one that betrayed how completely overwhelmed he felt in the moment. Nothing else mattered to him but the woman standing before him, looking like a vision of perfection.

Noelle blinked at him, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade as she processed his words. Nervous laughter bubbled up as she gave him a playful push on the chest. "What are you saying, Adrian? Our wedding is in two weeks. There's no need to rush."

He caught her hands again, holding them tightly as if he couldn't bear to let her go. "Two weeks feels like an eternity, Elle," he murmured, his voice low and earnest. "Seeing you like this... I can't explain it. I just... I can't wait to call you my wife."

Her heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice, but she shook her head, her lips curving into a soft smile. "You're being dramatic."

"Maybe," Adrian admitted with a small chuckle. "But I mean it. You're all I've ever wanted, Noelle."

Suddenly, Grace cleared her throat pointedly, breaking the spell between the two. "Alright, lovebirds," she lightly teased but laced with mock exasperation. "As much as I'm enjoying this little fairytale moment, some of us have schedules to keep."

She crossed her arms, arching a brow at Adrian while trying, and failing, to hide the playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Noelle still has to finalize the alterations on her dress. And you, mister, should know better. It's bad luck to see your bride in her wedding dress before the big day."

Adrian turned to her with a mischievous glint in his amber eyes. "Bad luck? Grace, do I look like the kind of guy who's scared of a little superstition?"

Grace scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Maybe not, but Noelle might be. And honestly, I'm not about to let you jinx anything. She's worked too hard to let you mess this up."

Noelle chuckled, her gaze darting between the two. "Grace has a point. Besides, Adrian, don't you have somewhere important to be?"

Adrian sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart as though he'd been wounded. "Fine, fine. I'll go. But don't think for a second that superstition is what's keeping me away," he quipped, shooting Grace a playful smirk before turning his attention back to Noelle.

"Two weeks," he murmured softly, his voice warm with promise. "I'll be the luckiest man alive."

Grace rolled her eyes but couldn't help grinning. "Alright, Romeo. Time's up. Out you go."