Page 60 of Trial and Error

“Isobel!” I beam, moving out of the way to let them in. “I didn’t realize you were here too.”

Isobel smiles as she helps Helen into the apartment, and I rush ahead to move my laptop off the couch. I wait until the three of us are comfortable before I speak up.

“I’m sorry, if I’d have known you were coming I would’ve cleaned up a bit.” I laugh nervously as I spot a Cheetos wrapper under the coffee table.

Helen waves her hand. “Don’t worry, dear. I told Elias not to tell you about our visit—I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Isobel nods in agreement, her hands resting on her extremely round belly. “He was sworn to secrecy.” She chuckles. “He’s usually terrible at keeping secrets.”

My stomach churns at that. He’s having a pretty easy time keeping this fake engagement under wraps.

“We wanted to see if you were up for going dress shopping with us?” Helen asks. “Elias has been in contact with your sister and she’s planning on meeting us at this wonderful boutique in North Vancouver with your mom.”

I look between the two of them and down at my pyjama pants and frown. “What time do we need to be there? I’m a mess.”

Isobel pulls her phone from her bag and taps on the screen. “Not for another hour, so you’ve got time.” When I don’t move, she rolls her eyes and pats my hand. “We don’t have all day.”

I laugh as I rise from where I’m sitting and head to my bedroom. I close the door behind me and grab my phone from my bedside table and open my text chain with Elias.

Me

You asshole. I’ve been ambushed and it’s all your fault.

Three dots appear and then disappear immediately, but I don’t have to wait long for his response.

Elias

I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.

Me

You better.

The boutique is filled with dresses that are way out of my hypothetical budget, and I wince as I look on the price tag on one of the labels. Isobel and Helen sit next to each other on the white chaise lounge in the middle of the room when my mom and sister arrive.

Natalie looks over at me and elbows my mom when she doesn’t look my way. Helen and Isobel talk among themselves as I walk over to my family.

“Hey, loser,” my sister says to me as she wraps her arms around me. “You look nice.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this,” I whisper for her ears only.

Natalie smirks and gives me a wink. “What can I say? I’m good with secrets.”

She moves past me and over to where Isobel and Helen are and leaves me alone with Mom, who is looking everywhere but at me. “Thanks for coming.”

Her brown eyes meet mine. “You’re welcome.” She pauses. “I still don’t like this.”

I sigh. “Don’t start.”

I lead her over to where the others are and introduce her. Helen looks skeptical but reaches out to shake her hand, and from the tight-lipped smile she gives my mom, I can guess that Elias has probably told her about our family dinner.

The store manager brings out a bottle of champagne and pours some glasses. She gives us a few minutes before coming back over with a folder. “Who’s the lucky lady?”

Everyone looks over at me, and I feel my cheeks heat up. We spend a few minutes going over the styles I like and what I visualize myself in, and Natalie chuckles as I pull up my Pinterest board.

“I made this board years ago,” I admit sheepishly. “But I think my style has changed. I’ve been struggling to find a style I like.”

It’s not a complete lie.