Free Love Me Back by Michelle Lynn Page A

the girls are waiting for you in the dressing room.”  He points me in the right direction.
    Gabe and I raise our eyebrows at each other walking away from each other like school girls that just got in trouble but don’t care. 
    “Finally Maddy.”  Lindsey comes out from the dressing rooms urgently waving her hands at me to meet her.
    “Are we really that late?”  I ask checking my watch realizing I was in such a hurry I forgot to put it on.
    “We only have an hour before the next bridal party.” 
    “Are you serious?”  I say in disbelief.  They couldn’t spread out the whole two weddings that happen in this town a year.
    “Yes Maddy.  This is the best wedding shop in the county.  A lot of girls come here from all over.”  She challenges my why look.  “Now, go in there and try on the dress.”  She pushes me into the fitting room.
    “Alright Lindsey.  When did you become so bossy?”  I stop myself short of running into the mirror from her push.
    I cringe looking at the long emerald green satin gown hanging in front of me.   There are beads sewn on the top half falling into an A frame over the stomach and hips.  It’s a beautiful dress for someone else.   I look at my pale post winter New York skin wondering how fast I can get a spray tan before Saturday. 
    “Let’s go Maddy.”  Lindsey knocks on the door impatiently.
    “Just a minute Linds.”  I scream through the door.
    Five minutes later after numerous knocks and yells from Lindsey I walk out of the room in the Irish bridesmaids dress to the main area.  All the other girls are sitting down bored and annoyed.  I am pretty sure they are annoyed by me, the groom’s little sister who is ruining the dress fitting by showing up late and taking forever.  I notice instantly I am the only one in a green dress.  The other girls are in red, yellow, blue, orange. 
    “Oh you look beautiful like I knew you would.  Green is your color Maddy.”  Lindsey rushes over to me.
    “How come we are all in different colors?”  I ask her. This is my first time being a bridesmaid except for Mackenna but they eloped in Jamaica and all I needed for that was a sundress.
    “It’s a rainbow wedding.  Every bridesmaid wears a different color.”  Her smile showing how exciting she is.
    “Oh, I’ve never heard of that.  Interesting.”  I didn’t really care what Lindsey wanted; it was her day and her wedding.  I just wish I could trade my Irish prom dress for the blue one.  Maybe then I could wear it again one day.
    “Go up to the pedestal so Marge can do the last minute alterations since you haven’t been here yet.”  She pushes me forward again.  You would think she was my naturally born sister the way she treats me.  I love it though.  Lindsey didn’t have any sisters either so we were both equally excited when we found out we would be sister-in-laws.
    “Jeez Linds, calm down.”  I say walking grudgingly up to the pedestal so Marge the shop seamstress can molest my body.
    “Hey, don’t be talking to my fiancé like that.  She is technically going to be your older sister in a couple days.”  Jack’s deep voice carries over the store as he and his groomsman come into view behind me.
    Now I am going to have the boys as an audience to my humiliation of being poked and pulled. 
    “Wow Little Jennings” one of the Bigs says.  “What’s that phrase?  An ugly duckling turning into a swan.” 
    “She was always a swan.”  Gabe whispers.  I pretend I don’t hear him but the smile that forms across my face might have given me away.  My eyes meet his from the mirror making him instantly look down.
    “Whatever, now she’s a smokin’ hot swan.”  The guy bellows.
    “That’s my sister Edwards.”  Jack hits Bryan’s older brother.
    “It doesn’t change the fact.”  He says shaking his head.
    “Enough boys, get out.”  Lindsey looks directly at Jack pointing towards the door.
    “Sorry Linds, gotta stay