I rested my head on his chest. "Your mother is a national treasure."
He gave a snort that shouldn't have been adorable on a man who traded in being the smartest guy in the room. "She's extremely—" Before he could finish that thought, the main door swung open and Diana stepped in, phone pressed to her ear and a binder wedged under her arm.
"I specifically requested wisteria and stated repeatedly that wisteria was non-negotiable. If I'd known you wouldn't be able to deliver, I would've selected a different florist," she said in the tone of voice reserved for women who knew how to speak to a manager. Holding up a finger, she mouthed one minute. "I am not interested in a substitution."
"She's extremely," Ash murmured.
I kept my head on his chest and let him hold me a bit longer. "I can see that."
"If you're unable to source the agreed-upon materials, I will expect a revised contract with a steep discount for the trouble I've incurred. I will also be forced to climb a ladder and cut down the wisteria growing in my backyard because I am unwilling to consider any alternative," Diana said.
"That's a terrible idea," Ash said to her. "Don't climb anything. Please."
"I'll anticipate a follow-up call within the hour," Diana continued, ignoring Ash. "That's much better. Thank you." She dropped the phone into her shoulder bag, set the binder on my desk, and approached us with outstretched hands. "How do you get more gorgeous and glowing every day? Oh, I cannot wait to dress you up in pretty gowns."
"Thank you but gowns aren't my style," Ash said.
"Would you stop it, son." Diana hit him with a pursed-lip frown. "You know I was talking to Zelda."
"And here I was, thinking you'd noticed me at all," he said. "Apparently not."
Stifling a laugh, I asked, "Is everything all right with the flowers?"
She gave an epic eye roll. "It will be, even if I have to get in there and arrange them myself." Deciding she was done with that topic, she patted the binder twice. "We should make our way over to the shop. It's a quick walk. You don't mind, do you? I hate to give up a good parking space once I've found one."
"Sounds great." I tipped my head back to meet Ash's steady gaze. "You'll have to let me go, you know."
"I know nothing of the sort," he replied.
Diana headed back toward the door, calling, "Ash, we don't have time for this territorial nonsense. Save it for another day when I don't have a schedule to keep."
"I'll text you the address of the shop and I won't accept candy from anyone," I said to him, low enough for it to stay between us. "Go get that shoulder checked out. I want you in full working order, boss."
He kissed my forehead. "Pick a dress I can fuck you in, okay? Nothing too complicated."
From the door, there was a slight gasp and "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph."
I nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
"I don't have to breathe. Breathing is highly overrated," Magnolia said from the pedestal in the center of the shop. "I will be fine without breathing for, like, eight hours."
"If you continue stressing like this, you're going to give yourself hives," Diana called from somewhere in the racks of white silk and tulle. "Or worse, a pimple. We don't have time for an emergency dermatologist visit this week."
Magnolia caught my eye in the mirror while two seamstresses pinned the bustle into place. "I love this dress," she said. It sounded like an apology. "I do. It's totally perfect for me and the venue and all, but I'm halfway terrified I'm going to look like an overstuffed sausage in my photos."
I tipped my head to the side as I studied the stunningly simple ball gown. The skirt was full and sumptuous, and the sweetheart neckline was precious on her. She was right about it being totally perfect. "You don't look like a sausage at all. You look incredible."
"Thank you." She lifted her arms, glanced down at the dress. "Seriously, thank you for coming along for this. I know it's a lot to ask."
I waved away her words as I collected the flute of champagne I'd abandoned following our arrival. I'd been too busy trying on the dozen or so dresses Diana plied me with to consider champagne. Now, with a divine backless floral print floor-length dress bagged and hanging near the door, I could derive joy from my beverage and