Chapter 2

"It's just a bit short."

Julian circled behind me, slipping into his corporate problem-solver mode.

"Have the designer alter it.

I'll pay for the rush fee."

The head designer gave an apologetic smile.

"Mr. Thorne, we can take it in, but the proportions are fixed.

We can't change the length. Unless we switch to an off-the-rack gown."

"Off-the-rack?"

Julian's jaw tightened.

"The wedding is next week.

If we pivot to off-the-rack now, the press will have a field day.

They’ll say Julian Thorne couldn't even get his wife a dress that fits."

"Then postpone it." My voice was cold.

"Out of the question." He shut it down instantly.

Then, his face lit up with a brilliant idea.

"You can grab a backup dress to walk down the aisle.

As for this Vera Wang... let Chloe wear it as her bridesmaid gown.

It's practically her size anyway.

No point letting it go to waste."

I almost laughed.

"Since when is Chloe my bridesmaid?"

"She's all alone in New York. She wants to be part of the big day.

Don't be like that."

"My bridal party is full. Six girls. Who exactly is she replacing?"

"Simple."

He didn't even look up from his screen.

"Just cut your college roommate... what's her name... right, Harper.

Drop her.

She didn't even show up to my party last time.

You two aren't that close."

"That's because she was litigating a big case in London."

"Then cut someone else."

He finally looked up, annoyance written all over his face.

"Ava, women swap out 'best friends' like last season's handbags.

Don't make such a big deal out of it."

Right on cue, his phone buzzed.

A FaceTime call. Chloe.

His face immediately softened.

He flipped the camera toward me.

"Babe, look. Isn't the gown gorgeous?"