I look up and down at the dress that I'm holding. Emily is mad.

"This is not usually what I wear." My friend gives me a big smile when I look at her. "I'm not sure I can even pull off this look."

I look back at the backless black dress staring right back at me. It knows I can't definitely pull this off. I sigh. 

This is seriously out of my comfort zone. I enter in a staring contest with the thin piece of fabric that taunts all my insecurities back at me. 

I hear a huff behind me. 

"Can you please just go inside and try it on?" Emily asks impatiently.

"What about a different dress? I can still be black and I can wear something a bit more comfortable..." I look at the damned dress for the fifth time. The beast is taunting me.

Emily stomps towards me. She pushes me inside the dressing room and closes the door with an impressive strength from someone so tiny. "Just try it on!" She shouts. "And don't forget to come out to show it to me!"

I take off my clothes and put on the dress. Immediately, my bra becomes visible. Great... I remove the bra. I stare at myself in the wide mirror that showcases all my flaws so effortlessly as if I'm in display. I swing a bit side to side. The dress doesn't seem to actually sit that badly. It's not too bad at all Natalie... At least, I guess so? 

And then, I choose to turn around...The dress is completely backless. More than I expected. It sits just above my lower back. I mean, I might have to go underwear shopping at this rate if I'm wearing this thing. This is a serious dress to pull it off. What is Emily thinking? I'm just little old me, not Gisele freaking Bundchen. 

"Em?" I raise my voice.

"Yeah?" she responds casually. I can hear the swooshing noise of the magazine being flipped outside. 

"This is really low..." I say, unsure. I keep staring at my back. 

"Just come outside!" she says giddy with excitement.

I take a deep breath. I open the door and feel even more exposed if that was possible at all in the first instance. The silk fabric on my skin makes every move amplified and I can feel how exposed my back is. I suddenly wish that I would have got a fake tan before coming to this wedding. Never got one before but also never thought I would have to show this much skin at a wedding. Unless, this wedding was being held at a nudist beach. Which knowing Emily probably crossed her mind. 

I stand in front of Emily, who jumps the moment the door swings open.  "That looks amazing!" she squeals.

"Em?"

She hums in response and starts inspecting the length of the dress. "Do you think we should make it shorter or is this length okay?"

I sigh. "It's really low in the back as it is..." I whisper, stealing a glance at the salesperson that is glaring at me in the dress.

Emily gestures for me to turn around, which I do.

"See?" I tell her.

"I think it looks perfect on you. I know..." she cuts off.

"You know what?" I turn back around and see those blue eyes looking back at me.

Daniel is inside the store with Gunther. He has a formal shirt, but has rolled up the sleeves and has his satchel across his chest. His hands are inside his pockets, but his gaze doesn't leave me and the dress I'm wearing.

"I'm sorry. I thought you guys were done by now." Gunther offers his apologies with a sympathetic look towards me.

"We are almost done. Doesn't Natalie look amazing?" Emily asks and eyes Daniel.

"Beautiful." Daniel responds without lifting his gaze from mine.

I'm suddenly very aware of how naked I am underneath this pretend dress. I run back to the dressing room to change. My heart thumps out of my chest.

I've arrived back two days ago. I know I would eventually run into Daniel. But, didn't expect it would be in the bridal dress shop while trying the craziest bridesmaid outfit I've ever seen.

I quickly change into my regular clothes and walk back outside. Daniel looks again at me the moment I walk out and I blush. He has seen me naked, so it's not like I was giving him a preview of nothing he hasn't seen before. But I still feel exposed to his unwavering and unapologetic look.

"Okay, let's go!" Emily says when I get out of the dressing room.

"Where are we going?" I ask and hesitantly return the dress to the salesperson. "I don't think this is the right one..." I whisper.

"This is the one." Emily turns to the salesperson and gives her a knowing nod. The salesperson disappears with the dress towards the back of the store. "That is your dress. When you get married, you can decide something outrageous for me to wear."

I laugh and put my jacket on. "I'll choose the most boring dress in the world as a payback. I may wrap you from head to toe."

Emily chuckles and wraps her arm around Gunther. "Okay, let's go. Time to do some menu tasting."

Emily and Gunther walk outside and start discussing the catering options. Daniel stays behind and opens the door for me.

"Hey," he greets me.

"Thanks." I say to him, holding the door for me. "I didn't know you were here already. I thought you said next week..." I look down, avoiding prolonged eye contact.

"Had some meetings scheduled as it was. Better to take them here than do them over Zoom..." he walks beside me and I can feel him staring at me. "Have you been to the building?"

I shake my head.

"You should. It will thrill everyone to see you."

"I'll try one of these days..."

"Where are you staying?"

His questions throw me off. "In an Airbnb nearby...Why?"

Daniel shrugs. "If you needed a place to stay, the apartment is empty..." he responds and looks down.

"Oh... I'm sorted, thanks. It's a two-bedroom, so plenty of space for when George arrives."

"George? Your boyfriend?"

I freeze. Shit... Why do I need a two-bedroom if George is my boyfriend? My stomach roars. Of course, you had to denounce it. Daniel chuckles immediately in response.

"He's not your boyfriend." He says with a smirk. Why on earth my mother had to tell the last person in the world I wanted to know my deepest tell?

"No... He's my flatmate and a good friend... is more like a brother, although a very annoying one."

Daniel chuckles. "All brothers are very annoying." He says with a hint of sadness in his voice. We walk silently for a moment until he clears his throat. "Why did you lie?"

I turn my head and see his unwavering look. "Because I panicked. It's all so weird and I just wish the weirdness would go away..."

"I know... I'm sorry for making it weird..." he looks down. "I know what I said to you, but I said it in anger. I have missed you and talking to you the last few weeks... it's been like a breath of fresh air in my life."

I ponder his words.

"I understand if you want nothing to do with me. I know how much I've hurt you, but I just wanted you to know that if you ever want to be friends again. I would love that."

"I'm not sure if I can do that." The sincerity in my voice cuts through the air. There would be a time where I would cling to this idea of being friends with him but I think we both know it's not possible. Maybe in a distant future but my heart cannot continue to cling on to the hope of past memories. 

Daniel stays silent and hangs his head low. We allow the street noise to fill in the space between us.

"Tomorrow I'm going to see the boat. Do you want to come? We also need to check the decorations..." He finally breaks the silence.

"Yes, I'm here to help as much as I can. Emily's family arrives tomorrow and they are going to get them at the airport, so I'm pretty much free. What did you say to Gunther for the day after?"

"I have my plan... don't worry, I'll get him on the boat," He says enigmatically. "And, you?"

"Told her I was going to take her to a girlie dinner, just the two of us... I'm not very imaginative."

Daniel chuckles and holds his satchel with both his hands. "This is going to be a cool wedding, although slightly weird."

"I know! Did you see that dress?"

Daniel's eyes darken. "You looked sexy in that dress."

My hands sweat at the way he says it, and I gulp and stare ahead.

"Sorry..." he offers his apologies. "I shouldn't have said that."

I look down at my feet nervously. "No worries."

"My mom would like to see you..." he interjects and clears the awkwardness once again.

"I would love to see your mom, too. Both your parents. Are they okay?"

He nods. "Maybe tomorrow I could take you to Meerbusch for dinner with them? She would be so happy..."

I hesitate. Am I ready to go back to the place where I was once the happiest?

"You don't have to say yes..."

"Okay, let's do it."

Daniel gives me a small smile. "Great. She'll be so happy. We can go there after the boat. It's a date."

The expression takes me by surprise. A date?