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Marina fingered the incredibly soft fabric of the wedding gown Except for the basics, like cotton versus leather, she knew nothing about material Only that whatever this one was, she wanted it in her life always!

Christie ca roorinned "I know you say that to all the brides, but right now, I don’t care I feel a I love how this dress feels and moves"

Christie fastened the buttons Marina couldn’t reach, then held open the dressing roo jeans and a T-shirt, feeling frazzled, rushed and weird about seeing Todd again But dressed in this flowing confection of a dress, she felt beautiful and girly and like a princess Even the borrowed high heels, compliments of the salon, had fit

She stepped in front of a three-way asped The dress was perfection

The fitted, strapless bodice clung to her and made her look impressively chesty At the waist, the dress cascaded down to the floor in layers and layers of fabric, each row shaped and draping like a flower petal, including the three or four foot train

There was a hint of pearl in the fabric and it nancy, but was still elegant and to-die-for

"Wow"

She glanced up and aze in the mirror She smiled and spun in a slow circle

"You like?" she asked

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking but she definitely liked the way he had to s before speaking

"Incredible Both the woood lines, she thought, feeling herself react to his words and his presence

Christieon the dress "The style is flattering to h if your sister is built like you, then this should work perfectly She needs one that’s ready to go and this one is available We’ll clean it and get it altered right before the wedding Can you ht?"

Marina took a couple of steps The dress swayed gracefully "It’s so fabulous"

"Good," Christie said "Now let me put up the train and we’ll see if you can dance in it"

Dance? Marina looked at Todd again "Can you dance?"

"I’m practically a professional"

"Liar"

"Trybuttons and hooks until there was an impressive bustle in the back Then Todd stepped close and swept Marina into his arms

She told herself none of thisher sister, nothing , she felt soerous and wonderful andinto his eyes and found herself wanting to get lost there His fingers tightened on hers She shifted slightly closer The layers of the beautiful dress kept her fro

"So lovely"

The cohtly farand in the entrance to the bridal salon

"Hello, my dears," the older woman said as she approached "I know, I know, I’m not to meddle, but when Julie e-mailed that the two of you would be here this afternoon, I couldn’t resist"

Todd released Marina and walked over to his aunt

"Ruth," he said in obvious affection, then bent down and kissed her "Watching Marina trying on wedding dresses isn’t hted to have one randuilty She stepped back and turned in a slow circle "What do you think?"

"That you’re very beautiful and so is the dress" Ruth smiled at Todd "Have you taken pictures?"

"Not yet We were seeing if Julie could dance in the dress"

Was it Marina’s ione up just a little?

"An excellent idea," the older wohness"

Marina had the sudden thought that soether Heat burned on her cheeks as she tried to convince herself that wasn’t possible No one knew Well, Willow and eventually Julie and maybe Ryan, but no one else

Marina posed while Todd took several pictures, then she escaped back into the dressing rooown, this one also strapless, but with a lace bodice and shirring across the waist The skirt, a stunning, smooth silky material with an inset of embroidery and lace, fell in a sophisticated A-line that spilled into a train

Ruth stepped into the dressing roo to have a difficult ti But that’s the problem to have Here, dear, let me help you with the buttons"

"Thanks There are a lot of the the cloth-covered buttons "You and Todd looked very special together, dancing While I always hoped one of you girls would fall for hiht it was little more than the dreams of an old woman"

Panic welled up inside of Marina "You’re not old," she said by way of a very pitiful distraction

"Thank you, dear, but that’s not the point I offered you and your sisters the money as a way to spur competition, but I see now I only needed to let nature take its course"

Marina’s mouth opened, then closed Her brain froze and she had no idea what to say

"We’re not a couple," she ed to say at last "Seriously We’re barely friends Se with the wedding and that’s all We haven’t even had our first date yet That’s not until the wedding"

Ruth finished with the buttons and stepped out in front of Marina "Apparently a date isn’t required You look very beautiful"

Marina ible, then hurried out of the dressing room as fast as she could on borrowed three-inch heels Instead of stepping in front of the rabbed his arrand you right now, I can’t stand it I’m totally humiliated and you need to be, too"

Todd looked unconcerned "She doesn’t know She can’t"

"Want to bet?"

Ruth stepped out of the dressing room and Marina moved in front of the mirror They discussed the dress like rational adults and she did her best to keep fro pictures