"Are you almost done in there?" Chris asked, knocking on the bathroom door. They had been at the salon for three hours and Chris, Eliot, and Ale were just getting ready to leave. All Ale had to do was put on her dress.
"Just give her a minute," Eliot laughed, Chris starting to dance around out of boredom. Ale poked her head out of the bathroom, locking eyes with Eliot.
"Can you zip me up?" she asked, looking a bit hesitant. Eliot nodded, Ale stepping out of the bathroom, her bare back waiting for Eliot to cover it with the satin from her dress. Once he zipped up the dress Ale turned around, Eliot's breath completely gone from his body.
Ale's tan skin was adorned in a baby blue, tight, silk dress, structured like something you would see in the 1950's. The long pencil skirt reached to her knees, the deep, straight neck on the dress showing just enough of her chest to make him stare. When Ale turned to grab her bag from the bathroom Eliot couldn't help but notice how the thick straps scooped down to leave a clear view of her shoulders blades, cutting and poised like the dancer she was. The tight silk also molded to her every curve. Eliot couldn't believe how beautiful she was.
Ale slipped on a pair of cranberry stilettos, the thin yet structured shoes making her legs look like they went on for miles, despite the longer length of the dress. Ale's dark hair was put in old Hollywood waves, her makeup simple, highlighting her beauty even more.
"Do I look okay?" Ale asked, smiling softly at Eliot.
"You look absolutely beautiful," Eliot admitting, not being able to hold back his admiration.
"Really?"
"Really," he nodded.
"Well, then let's go get you boys ready," Ale smiled, Eliot taking her bag from her even as she started to protest.
Eliot was hoping that at some point in the evening he would stop noticing how amazing Ale looked and how well she fit in with his family—that he would stop noticing how much Chris loved her and how natural she was with Zoe, and how his heart fluttered anytime she smiled. As they sat by each other in the truck (which Eliot had to help Ale into since her pencil skirt didn't allow for her to step into the cab), however, Eliot didn't think he would stop noticing her anytime soon.
LEVERAGE
"Well, cowboy, you are the last one to be wrangled," Ale smiled, holding up the tie she was about to secure around Eliot's neck. The guys all got to wear khaki suits and suspenders, a very relaxed, Southern style.
"You single handedly go the outdoor ceremony setup when it was discovered the church was double booked, kept everyone calm, and got all of the groomsmen ready in one afternoon while keeping a smile on your face. How do you do it?" Eliot smiled, shaking his head as he stood from the window seat he had been perched on.
Ale tried to ignore how toned his chest was underneath his shirt as she buttoned the top few of his buttons then tied on his tie.
"Well, your mama sent me with a vat of sweet tea so lots and lots of sugar," Ale shrugged, laughing.
"I am happy that you are here, Ale. I would have had no clue how to deal with everything today," Eliot drawled, Ale stepping away from him to look at the final product. Eliot was handsome…there was no doubt about that. Ale smiled softly, turning to grab her clutch purse so Eliot didn't have to see her face flush.
"I'm sure you would have figured something out. Plus Sophie and Parker helped me," Ale shrugged, turning back around. "Shall we go? You have an aisle to walk down."
Eliot held out his arm, Ale wrapping her arm in his. As the headed to the outdoor ceremony Ale couldn't help but notice the looks that they got, the small smiles people flashed at them reminding her of how people looked at her and Quinn when they were a couple.
Sophie saw Eliot and Ale before the rest of the team did. Ale looked absolutely stunning, and Eliot, for once in his life, looked relaxed and happy. Sophie watched as Ale said something to Eliot, planting a friendly kiss on his cheek before she came over to stand with the team.
"Did you have a nice morning?" Sophie asked, raising her eyebrows at Ale.
"I did, thank you," she nodded, fidgeting with her dress and hair.
"You look wonderful. Stop fidgeting," Sophie instructed, Ale sighing. "He can't take his eyes off of you," Sophie smiled, Ale looking at her in disbelief.
Ale talked to Parker the rest of the day until the ceremony began. Once it did, Ale was completely in awe of how beautiful it was. It was so simple and real, and so sweet. Ale couldn't remember the last time she had witnessed a wedding, and seeing the country ceremony made her ache for a love of her own. It reminded her of her mother and father's love for each other. It made her miss Quinn, but not Quinn himself—instead, she missed the luxury of allowing herself to love.