do you believe in god? | $crim

75. aphrodite

gabrielle

"you're really gonna leave me here?" scott asked, his voice low and raspy from sleep as he propped himself up on one elbow. his hair was a complete mess, and the blankets were still tangled around him.

"it's bad luck for you to see the dress before the wedding," i reminded him, adjusting the ponytail I'd just tied in the mirror.

"bad luck is me not going with you," he muttered, flopping back against the pillows dramatically. "what if you pick something hideous, and i can't stop you?"

i turned to face him, crossing my arms. "you think i'd pick something hideous?"

he paused, his lips twitching into a grin. "no. but it's nice to be needed, you know?"

i rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling as i walked over to him. "scott, i need you every second of every day," i said, leaning down to kiss him. "but not for this. ruby and eric are coming."

he gave me a look, somewhere between confusion and mild betrayal. "why ruby and eric? they don't know anything about wedding dresses."

"they're there for moral support," i explained, grabbing my purse and double-checking I had everything I needed.

he groaned, flopping onto his back like a defeated child. "this is gonna be the longest day of my life."

"you'll survive," i said, slinging my purse over my shoulder.

"barely," he mumbled, staring at me like i'd just sentenced him to solitary confinement.

"i love you, i'll only be gone a few hours" i called as i walked to the door, my voice teasing but sincere.

"i love you more," he called back as i left.

i made my way downstairs, grabbing my phone off the counter as i heard ruby and eric arguing in the front yard. typical. i opened the door to find ruby leaning against the passenger side of eric's car, arms crossed and an unimpressed look on his face.

"you seriously don't think she'll want our opinions?" ruby asked, glancing at eric, who was fiddling with his keys.

"no, i think she'll want my opinion," eric shot back, smirking. 

"i'm here because i have taste," ruby countered, rolling his eyes. 

"oh, come on," eric muttered, "i have decent style now. name one thing i've worn recently that wasn't fine."

"that leather jacket you bought," ruby said instantly, not even turning to look at him. "you looked like you were auditioning for a boy band reunion."

"it was vintage!" eric protested.

"it was tragic," ruby shot back.

"okay mr. camo and cargo shorts. didn't realize you were donatella versance" eric rolled his eyes.

"guys," i cut in, walking down the steps. "are you seriously fighting over who's the most helpful?"

"absolutely not," ruby said quickly. "we already know it's me."

eric just shook his head, pulling open the driver's side door. "you ready, g?"

"as ready as i'll ever be," i said, climbing into the backseat while ruby slid into the passenger side.

"so," ruby said, turning to look at me over his shoulder as eric started the car. "what's the plan here? you're just gonna try on a bunch of dresses, and we give brutally honest feedback?"

"brutally honest?" i asked, raising an eyebrow.

"it's the only way," ruby said with a grin. "you don't want us sugarcoating it, do you?"