Alpha Billionaire Series
The Wrong Choice Chapter 24

MADII

"This one!" Lexi held up the ugliest dress I'd ever seen. It looked like a combination between a 1980s prom gown with puffy sleeves and a European A-line gown with layers of tulle ruffles that cascaded into a six-foot-long train. Crystal laughed and I gagged, and even my mom rolled her eyes at the joke. "Seriously, guys, we have to replace the perfect dress." Violet shoved her hair out of her eyes for the millionth time-she was in an emo phase-and sorted through the rack of dresses.

"I agree." Mom pulled out a silver gown with small rhinestones on it, held it up, then shoved it back into the rack. "And if we can't replace something here, we are out of options."

I had tried on over a hundred dresses today so far at the various stores. We'd been to Henry's Bridal, the Bridal Emporium, the Wedding Shoppe, and now at the Gowns for Gals Showroom we were left with slim pickings following a bridal show only three weeks prior. Had I known they were having a sale, I'd have jumped at the chance, but my ego had kept me from even telling anyone.

"I'm so glad you girls were all able to join us." Mom held up a pastel yellow sundress. "What do you think? Bridesmaids' dresses?"

I scrunched my nose up. "No, Mom. Yellow is awful."

Lexi smirked and hid it behind another dress she held up. She had a pile in her arm, draped there as she walked from rack to rack searching. I could see a few of them were likely selected as potential dresses for her, but at least three of them were bridal gowns. Crystal had a few too, both of them there to help me say "yes" to the dress.

"So, what do we have so far? Should we head to the dressing room?" I was exhausted from so much shopping, but thankfully my emotional state was calm. Mom had been on her best behavior. Maybe Dad had given her a talking to.

"Yes, let's head that way. I'll get the sales lady." Mom disappeared, her own few dresses on her arm, and Violet swiped a hand across her brow.

"Mom is really acting strange. You think she is feeling okay?" Violet elbowed me and smirked as we headed toward the dressing rooms. "Seriously, when was the last time she was hospitable at all? Normally she is grumpy and nagging-especially when it comes to you."

I chuckled. "Maybe Gavin really made an impression on her when he visited. Or maybe she is just finally seeing that she can't control our lives and if she wants to be a part of them everyone is happier when she just takes her hands off?" Violet shrugged and ducked into the fitting room area. Crystal handed me two dresses, and Lexi handed me her three. Both of them had a few of their own to try on.

"You know, Madii. I know your mom hasn't said anything, but I'm still concerned that things are moving a bit too fast." Crystal shifted the dresses on her arm to the other arm and gave me a concerned look. "It's been what, four months or something?" "Our wedding day will be four months and twenty-two days." I had to admit it did sound a bit short, but that wasn't taking into account the sixteen months of getting to know him.

"Yeah, but still. You hardly know him." She grimaced at me, and Lexi gave her a gentle push.

"Lay off her, Crystal. She's happy. Can't you see that?" Lexi winked at me and followed the saleswoman as she passed, unlocking several rooms.

Crystal lingered there, staring at me as Lexi ducked into the first room. I noticed even Violet looked worried. Mom grinned though, ignorant of the comment Crystal had just made. I waited until Mom was in a room with the door shut before I replied to her. "I know enough to know that I like what I see. I love him. And any relationship means getting to know someone, their skeletons, their issues, and then loving them in spite of those things." I rested my free hand on the doorknob to a dressing room. "I'm sorry if you think I'm rushing. I know what I want."

I tried to smile at her as I stepped into the dressing room, but it ate at me. For the first time in my life, my mother seemed genuinely happy for me. My father had given his blessing. Gavin was an amazing man with so much to offer-not to mention he was really handsome, wealthy, and he knew how to satisfy me. He also had so much in common with me. We both loved being outdoors, and I knew he would be an adventurer with me.

I just didn't see why everyone was so concerned with how quickly it was moving. Drew and I knew each other eight months before he proposed. Granted, we did have an extended engagement, but still.

I peeled off my clothing, folding and stacking it neatly on the small bench in the fitting room before tugging on the first dress. It was a scoop-neck with a tight-fitting bodice decked out with beads and embroidery. It was too tight and would have to be let out if I was going to wear it, but it was pretty. I didn't bother stepping out to show anyone, but I did pick up my phone and snap a picture.

I missed a text message from Gavin, so I opened it up and read it.

Gavin 2:13PM: If you don't replace the perfect dress, just wear some skinny jeans, a nice pair of Vans, and a t-shirt. We'll go skydiving instead of the traditional waltz down the aisle.

I grinned at the message. Clearly, he knew me too well. I typed in a fast reply before moving on to the next dress.

Madii 2:15PM: Don't joke like that because with the lectures I'm getting today I may just take you up on that!

Two dresses later-they were both too small-I put on one I really loved. Spaghetti straps held up the satin bodice, no embellishments, nothing fancy, just simple satin. It had a princess waistline, the skirts flowing all the way to the ground. The material puddled at my feet, so I'd have to have it shortened, but it was perfect. It showed a hint of cleavage and hugged my curves. I smoothed my hands over my hips.

"Madii? Come see this!" Violet called me from the other side of the door.

"One sec." I took a moment to admire how the gown made me feel-alive. Then I turned and fumbled with the long train of the gown as I opened the door.

As soon as I stepped out, Mom, Lexi, Violet, and the saleslady all gasped.

"Oh, goodness, Madison, that is ravishing." Mom covered her mouth.

"Wow, Madii, that is really gorgeous. I love it." Violet hustled over to me, picking up the skirt. "So simple and so beautiful. Gavin will love this."

Crystal ducked out of her fitting room wearing a pretty blue gown with a low neckline. It was T-length and pretty but didn't really fit with the Keds she was wearing.

"Yeah, man, that's amazing." Crystal joined us.

"You guys really like it? It's not too plain?" I shrugged, looking down the long room to the mirror.

"I think with as beautiful as you are, no one will even notice how plain the gown is. You're going to be a showstopper." The saleslady smiled at me, and I felt her comment was genuine, not just an attempt to sell the dress.

"So, what am I looking at?" I glanced around to see Violet holding up a different gown, one that had been left in a dressing room there I assumed. It was pretty, but nothing like the one I wore.

"Yeah... This one is not going to make the cut. You have the winner on." Violet handed the other gown to the saleswoman who whisked it off.

By the time we were done trying on dresses we had settled on a dress for everyone, even Mom. Exhausted and ready to collapse, Lexi and Crystal headed back to the city, and I went with Mom and Violet to have dinner. We chose a Mexican restaurant, where Mom warned me about eating too much cheese dip because it will "make your dress not fit, dear."

Things were going really well until Violet brought out a ton of brochures from a travel agency for me to look at.

"I stopped by yesterday when I got into town. Mom and I want to help you plan the honeymoon too. I know you'll have to pass this through Gavin, but I know you well enough to know what you want." Violet pushed her nearly empty plate out of the way and spread out a few brochures.

I continued eating, though my stomach started to tell me I was full. And when I looked down at the brochures Violet had laid out, my heart sank. Pictures of beaches and lakes, boats, women and men swimming and surfing, all displayed in front of me like some of the grandest adventures anyone could have.

I had to admit, Violet did know me. When I was a teenager, she and I planned out our perfect honeymoons. Both of us were nearly mermaids at heart. We loved the beach. We loved everything water and sand and sun. And my honeymoon trip with Drew was supposed to be Fiji-a raised cabana over the crystal blue waters where you had to take a catamaran out just to get to the front door. It would have been perfect.

My stomach turned, and tears burned my eyes. I tried to keep eating, but the food soured on my tongue. My hand shook: my heart raced. I couldn't breathe.

"Honey, are you okay?" Mom set her fork down and reached for my hand which I pulled away, probably a little too hastily.

I stood up, picking up all the offending brochures one by one. Violet had tried to do a good thing, but all she had done was trigger something deep inside of me that sent me into an emotional fit.

"Woah, Madii. Stop. Are you okay?" Violet stood next to me, grabbing my wrist and taking the brochures from my hand.

"No." I continued picking them up, tears flowing freely.

"Please sit down, girls." Mom's eyes darted around the dining room where people were beginning to stare.

"I'm sorry, Madii. I was trying to help."

"I don't need help," I hissed, surprising myself. I froze, dropping the brochures. "I'm going to go now." I picked up my purse.

"Madison Elaine." Mom stood, folding her napkin. "What has gotten into you?"

"I need space." I swiped at my eyes, but there were too many tears.

"Madii, everyone knows you're taking this too fast. There is nothing wrong with taking your time." Violet tried to hug me, but I pushed her away.

"Why do you insist it's too fast? Why can't you let me live my fucking life!" I took a step back, acutely aware that the entire restaurant was now watching.

"Maybe you're running away from something you need to face, Madii. Gavin doesn't deserve that."

I glared at Violet; the feeling of anxious nausea being replaced by rage. "Mom, I'll send for my dress."

Feeling very attacked and too emotional to handle any more, I stormed out. My hands were shaking so badly I couldn't drive, so I had to sit there a moment to calm down. I wanted to call Gavin and feel his comfort, but I didn't want him to know how upset I'd gotten. He may assume the same thing-that I was running from Drew instead of choosing to marry him.

But I was choosing to marry him. Wasn't I? And even if I still had unresolved trauma issues, Gavin was the one helping me out of that mess. So why wouldn't I run?

I wiped my face and started my car. I just wanted to get home and call the man I loved. Then everything would be okay.