Spark in the Dark

Chapter 142

"Give me a sec," Gina said after looking thoughtful for a moment. She went to a rack off to the side of the store and flipped through a few dresses there before pulling one out and returning with it. "This dress was a sample dress for girls to try on, but they discontinued it. So, if you like it, you can buy it off the rack and take it home today. Saves you some money not having to put a rush on it."

"Let's give it a shot," Shawn said. She put the dress on and had a good feeling about it before evening looking in the mirror. It had the same empire waist as the other, but instead of being covered with lace, only the very top was with lace straps that turned into a keyhole back. She stepped out of the dressing room and Lyla's face softened.

"Oh, Shawn," Lyla said softly, which was a nice change from her overtop enthusiasm.

Shawn turned towards the mirror and began to turn to see every angle.

"What do we think?" Gina asked, a smile on her face as if she already knew the answer.

"This one," Shawn told her. "I'll take this one."

"Good choice," Gina said. "You look amazing in it."

"You really do, girl," Lyla agreed.

Shawn felt her eyes prickle with tears and she quickly wiped them away. "Sorry. Baby hormones."

"I can't believe you are finally marrying Juice," Lyla said. "It feels like it's been ten years since I tricked you two into going on a date."

"I'm trying not to cry right now, Ly. Don't make it worse."

"If you want to take it off, I'll put it in a garment bag for you to take," Gina offered.

"Okay," Shawn agreed sullenly. She loved the dress and didn't want to take it off. She changed into her regular clothing and passed the dress to Gina.

"Are you going to wear a veil?" Lyla asked as she looked at a few.

"No," Shawn answered. "That seems too formal. Maybe if I thought for even a second that Juice would wear a tie, I'd consider it."

"Hey, if you want him to wear a tie, I can make him wear a tie," Lyla said in a threatening tone, making Shawn laugh.

"He doesn't even own a tie. Seriously, I'm fine with Juice dressing like Juice."

"Well, either way, he's going to drop dead when he sees you in that dress."

"Hope not," Shawn said. "Tig will think he died just to get out of marrying me and then he'll bring him back to life just to murder him."

Lyla laughed and Shawn paid Gina for her dress. They walked out of the dress shop and over to their cars where Shawn carefully put her dress in the back seat.

"So, what's next on my maid of honor duties checklist?" Lyla asked.

"I don't even know. Ask Gemma?"

"I'll do that. We're going shopping again this weekend, though."

"For?"

"Shoes. Jewelry. A bra and panty set that makes Juice think he really did die when you saw you in your dress and now he's in heaven."

"You're ridiculous."

"You love me," Lyla defended herself. Then she moved to hug Shawn. "I'm happy for you guys. You deserve this."

Once again, Shawn felt like she could cry. "Thanks, Ly. That'll make a good maid of honor speech."

"Hey, I didn't make you give a speech!" Lyla said, outraged, as she stepped back from the hug.

"Don't worry. You don't have to."

"Jesus, don't scare me like that," Lyla told her. "I'll see you this weekend."

"Okay. See you," Shawn said and got in her car to leave.

When she arrived home, she opened the garage door and wondered why Juice's Dyna was parked there. It was too early for him to be home, yet. She got her dress out of the car and went to the back door. She opened it just far enough to peak her head in and saw Juice sitting at the kitchen island with his laptop in front of him.

"What are you doing home so soon?" Shawn asked.

He looked at her, puzzled by the way she was acting. "I left my laptop here this morning and needed it so, here I am. What are you doing?"

"I need you to close your eyes and not look as I pass you," Shawn told him seriously. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Please?"

Juice closed his eyes and sighed with a smirk on his face. Shawn passed him to go up the stairs and into the extra bedroom. She hung her dress in the closet there and then went to go back down stairs, but stopped when she saw Juice leaning against the wall in the hallway.

"What was that?"

"You are not allowed in that closet, understand?"

"What if I need something out of there?" Juice asked. He knew he wouldn't, but was giving her a hard time.

"You don't have anything in there."

"I put my extra computer parts in there when I moved in."

"Those computer parts sat untouched in your townhouse two years ago. I think you can survive without them for another two weeks," Shawn reasoned.

"C'mon! Just tell me what it is!"

"My wedding dress, you jerk!" Shawn finally told him. "Don't you dare peek! Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," Juice laughed. "You could distract me? Make me forget all about it."

"How should I do that?" Shawn asked, but already knew the answer. Juice rolled his eyes to their bedroom door. "You don't have to get back?"

"They won't miss me if I'm gone an extra 20 minutes."

"20 minutes, huh?"

Juice smiled broadly and grabbed her to carrying her into the room. "Hey, that's all I need."