19. Noah

CHAPTER 19

NOAH

S ophie moved in two weeks later. Noah had wanted to do it immediately, but Sophie convinced him that she needed more time to sort things out with her building and get out of her lease.

The move didn't take long when it happened, as Sophie had gotten rid of much of her furniture and Noah had hired movers. They decided to take a few days off work to really focus on wedding planning and start building a family image. It also gave time for Sophie to settle into the new environment. They could respond to emails and text from home if needed, but soon they would both need to start decreasing their hours.

It was Noah's first true day off in a very long time. He made breakfast, worked out, showered, and it was still only eight a.m. He had no idea what to do with himself.

Sophie was in the kitchen when he entered. Her hair and makeup were done and her outfit signaled that she was heading out.

"Where are you off to so early?" he asked.

Sophie grabbed her keys and purse off the island. "I have an appointment to try on some wedding dresses," she told him.

"Oh, okay. Is your mom or anyone coming with you?"

"No, everyone had to work today. But my friend Amy said she would come to the next one."

"I'll come with you," he offered.

"You want to come shopping for wedding dresses with me?"

"Sure." He didn't have anything better to do. Plus, it would be good for them to be seen out in public together.

"Well you can't," she laughed.

Noah felt slighted by her tone. "Why not?"

She rolled her eyes teasingly. "A groom isn't supposed to see his bride in the dress until the wedding day."

"But we're not the average bride and groom, are we?" he pointed out.

"I suppose not," she agreed.

"So, can I come?"

Her keys jangled as she twisted her wrist in a becoming manner. "Yes, you can come. But we have to hurry."

Noah grabbed his wallet and keys off the island. "I'll drive."

Noah regretted the decision to come along the moment they entered the store. All of the women inside were staring at him. They didn't even try to hide their looks of confusion when Sophie introduced him as the groom.

Sophie tossed him an I told you so look.

The consultant helping them shop introduced herself as Beth. She was a petite blonde woman with delicate features. She asked Sophie questions about different cuts and styles as they roamed the array of dresses.

Noah followed them around like a lost puppy. It was like they were talking an entirely different language.

A-line? Ballroom? Mermaid?

Here and there, we would be able to understand some words. Satin. Lace. And he felt like he could follow but then they replied with things like chiffon and taffeta, and he was lost again.

Beth seemed to sense that Noah was in over his head and suggested that he sit down while they pulled some dresses for Sophie to try on. Noah accepted and Sophie tossed him a sympathetic look as he went to sit down.

After twenty minutes or so, Noah grew bored and uncomfortable. Other women trying on dresses kept tossing him looks, furthering his feelings of being unwelcome. With Sophie and Beth out of sight, he began picking through the nearby dresses.

He couldn't picture Sophie in the grand poofy dresses and abandoned them to look at ones with less frills. He sifted through them absently, trying to appear interested. The price tags for everything were outrageous, even for him. Why did they need to be so expensive? Who decided that ten thousand dollars was a reasonable asking price?

His eyes landed on a simple and elegant gown. It was sleeveless, with delicate lacy designs. Noah pictured the dress on display of Sophie's curves. He pulled it off the rack and headed back towards the fitting rooms.

Sophie was there, waiting outside the stall as Beth stuffed it with different dresses. Her eyes caught on him and the dress and he suddenly felt self-conscious as he held it up to her.

She raised an impressed brow.

"I got bored… I thought it might look nice," he stated.

"Thanks, Noah. I'll give it a try." She took the dress without looking at it and gave it to Beth to hang up.

Beth gave him a tight-lipped smile. Neither of them seemed confident in his efforts. At least there didn't seem to be any poofy dresses in her fitting room, so maybe his choice wasn't a complete failure.

Noah took his seat again as he waited for Sophie to come out.

The first dress was nice but that was all. The second one was too lacy, its abundance of flowers taking away from Sophie herself.

When asked his opinion, Noah tried not to sound biased. He wanted Sophie to choose whichever dress she liked best. After dress number nine she stopped asking and he was somewhat thankful, despite Beth's looks of annoyance.

Noah didn't like any of the dresses and it was obvious. Not that Sophie didn't look amazing, because she did; she just didn't look like a bride. Perhaps this was why grooms weren't meant to come with.

Beth tried her best to encourage Sophie and make her feel good but it didn't seem to be working. "Just try to envision yourself walking down the aisle… seeing Noah. Your first dance…"

Sophie appeared to be getting frustrated as she twisted and turned in front of the mirror to assess every angle. Maybe it was hard for either of them to picture her as a bride because it wasn't real.

The thought made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. He felt guilty.

"Is that all of them?" Beth asked.

Sophie checked the room, "No, I have one more. The one Noah picked out."

He heard her sigh from inside the room in frustration. She sounded so defeated. Noah had no idea that trying on dresses would be so emotionally draining.

Beth and Sophie whispered but Noah couldn't make out what they were saying. Beth exited the room with a smile and disappeared behind a mass of dresses.

After a moment, Sophie popped her head out, keeping her body behind the door.

"Is everything okay?" Noah asked.

"Yeah. Beth just went to find a veil but I realized one of the buttons wasn't done up."

Noah stood, intrigued. "I can help."

Sophie hesitated but seemed to remember that it didn't matter whether he saw her or not. She stepped away from the door, revealing the dress that he had picked out for her.

Noah didn't have the words.

"Do you like it?" she asked, rubbing her hands over her hips.

The dress fit her like a glove, hugging her closely all the way down to her calves, where it fell delicately around her feet. The lace design was perfect, accentuating and enhancing every curve.

Noah cleared his throat, "Yeah, I mean it's— you look beautiful."

She looked like a bride. His bride.

Sophie turned and the view was knee-weakening. The buttons pulled the dress tightly over her behind and halfway up her back, leaving the rest of it exposed. She reached her hand behind her, pointing out the undone button at the top. Her hair wasn't in the way but Sophie brushed it over her right shoulder anyway.

Noah came closer, gently grabbing the fabric with both hands. The motion caused his fingers to brush across her bare back. He put the small button through the loop but didn't step away, his fingers still holding on to the back of her dress, still pressed against her bare skin.

"All done," he said quietly.

Sophie didn't step away either, instead she tilted her back to meet his gaze. The position reminded him of the photoshoot, where her backside was pushed against him, when her their lips met.

"Thanks," she breathed.

Noah stared at her lips, painted a soft rouge. She twisted ever so slightly to come closer. The urge to kiss her consumed him and he leaned in, her lips now an inch from his.

"Got it!" Beth announced cheerfully.

The two sprang apart as if caught in some crime.

"You didn't wait?" Beth pouted.

Sophie took the veil. "Sorry, I was too excited."

She didn't look back at Noah before stepping onto the small stand surrounded by mirrors. With Beth's help, she placed the veil on her head.

"So? What do we think?" Beth asked.

"This is it." A radiant smile filled Sophie's face and she wiped away a tear before it fell. "This is the one."

Beth clapped her hand gleefully in celebration.

Sophie turned to him, "Noah?"

"It's perfect," he agreed.