The bell above the boutique door chimed as Ariel stepped inside, the long garment bag weighing heavily over her arm. The shop smelled faintly of lavender, soft lighting washing over rows of pristine gowns.

  “Miss McIntyre!”

  Ariel looked up to find the same associate who had sold her the dress weeks ago striding toward her. The woman’s smile was sharp but warm, practiced with ease.

  “Back for alterations?” she asked, clasping her hands together.

  Ariel laughed lightly, though her cheeks burned pink. “Yeah. Figured it was better to come in now than risk… you know, splitting it in half before the reception even starts.”

  The associate chuckled. “Not to worry. That’s why we always keep extra fabric on hand. Come with me. We’ll take some new measurements.”

  She led Ariel into one of the boutique’s side rooms, a softly lit space with a mirrored wall and a small pedestal in the center. Ariel laid the garment bag carefully across the chair, tugging off her coat before stepping onto the floor.

  “All right, arms out, please.”

  Ariel obeyed, her heart beating a little quicker as the cool tape slipped around her body. The associate worked briskly, noting down numbers in quiet tones. Around her bust, then lower, where the tape settled against the fullness of her belly. Ariel shifted her weight, feeling the fabric of her skirt pull across her hips as the associate looped the tape around them.

  “You’ve filled out a little since your last visit,” the associate said matter-of-factly, not unkindly, jotting the number down.

  Ariel gave a small laugh. “Story of my life lately.”

  The woman smiled faintly. “Nothing unusual, especially this close to a wedding. We’ll let the gown out a touch. It will be comfortable and still stunning.”

  Relief loosened Ariel’s shoulders, and she exhaled. “That’s good to hear. Holly keeps teasing me that I’m going to be the first bride in history to bust out of her dress mid-dinner.”

  The associate chuckled softly, sliding the tape back into her pocket. “That’s hardly the worst problem to have. Besides, better too much joy than too little.”

  Ariel grinned at that, cheeks warm. “I’ll try to think of it that way.”

  The woman gestured to the garment bag. “Shall we try it on, then? I’ll mark what needs to be adjusted.”

  Ariel nodded, her pulse quickening. She unzipped the bag and pulled the dress free, the satin gleaming under the overhead lights. For a moment she caught sight of herself in the mirror: her body full and soft, heavier than it had been even a month ago, but her eyes bright and steady.

  Ariel eased herself into the gown with practiced care, sliding the satin up over her hips and belly, the woman tugging the zipper closed with a little huff of effort. It fit, but more snugly than before, her middle full and heavy beneath the smooth fabric, her hips stretching the seams in a way that made her grin.

  The associate returned after a polite knock, pin cushion on her wrist, and her eyes lit up. “Let’s have a look.”

  Ariel stepped up onto the pedestal, turning toward the mirror. The gown gleamed under the lights, hugging her belly, draping over her thighs, pulling just enough at the hips to show where it would need more room. And she looked at herself without hesitation, lips curving into a smile.

  The associate circled her thoughtfully, tugging gently at the fabric here and there before setting the first pin. “Bust and shoulders are perfect. Waist and hip...yes, we’ll let this out a touch. Satin’s beautiful, but it doesn’t forgive.”

  “I forgive myself just fine,” Ariel said with a quiet laugh. “It’s the dress that has to keep up.”

  The associate chuckled, sliding a pin neatly into place. “You carry your shape beautifully. We’ll add a discreet panel at the back seam and give it more breathing room. It won’t change the silhouette; just make sure you can move comfortably.”

  “That’s all I want,” Ariel replied easily, smoothing her hand down the fabric stretched over her belly. “Comfort and room to eat.”

  The woman laughed warmly at that. “A bride with priorities. Good.”

  Ariel glanced at her reflection again, tilting her head. There was no shame, no hesitation. Just a fat, happy woman standing in the gown she’d chosen for the day she would marry the love of her life. She could almost see Holly’s face in her mind’s eye, the way her fiancée would light up when she saw her walking down the aisle.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  The associate made a final note on her pad. “Three days for the alteration. Come back Friday for the last fitting. You’ll be more than ready.”

  Ariel stepped down carefully, unzipping the gown and slipping free of it before draping it back onto its hanger. She gave it a little pat, as though reassuring it. “Behave yourself. You’ve got a big day coming up.”

  Her reflection in the mirror caught her eye again, and this time her smile was broader. Brighter.

  Ariel stepped out of the elevator onto the 18th floor of Willowbound. She smiled as she scanned the room, a warm buzz of chatter and typing, chairs rolling across the floor, and... something unusual: Holly and Ravi huddled at Ravi’s desk, their heads bent close together, both of them grinning like teenagers caught mid-prank. The glow of the monitor reflected on their faces, and whatever it was, they were clearly enjoying it.

  Ariel’s curiosity sparked instantly. She smirked, trying to tiptoe her way around the cubicles for a better angle. But subtlety wasn’t exactly her strong suit these days. Her hips brushed hard against the corner of a partition, the entire cubicle wall giving a little thunk.

  Holly’s head whipped up, violet and hazel eyes narrowing playfully. “Uh oh. We’ve got company.”

  Ravi’s hands moved fast, and in a second the monitor went dark, his PC locked.

  “Hey!” Ariel protested, laughing as Holly slipped away from the desk and all but skipped over to her.

  Holly grinned, wagging a finger at her. “Red, you have got to know—those hips of yours are not designed for covert ops. You’re many things, but stealthy isn’t one of them.”

  Ariel groaned, planting her hands on her wide hips as if to prove the point. “I was this close to seeing what you two were up to.”

  Ravi spun in his chair, holding up his hands in mock innocence. “Nothing to see here, boss. Just… work stuff.”

  “Uh-huh.” Ariel’s eyes narrowed, a smile tugging at her lips. She turned back to Holly. “You’re in on this too?”

  Holly clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. “Me? I was merely supervising. Ensuring workplace morale remained… high.”

  Ariel arched an eyebrow. “By huddling over Ravi’s monitor like you were plotting a heist?”

  Ravi coughed into his fist. “A very small, harmless heist.”

  “Uh-huh.” Ariel crossed her arms, pretending to glower, though the sparkle in her green eyes gave her away. “All right. Out with it. What were you working on?”

  Holly leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing state secrets. “Classified.”

  “Classified?” Ariel echoed.

  “Top secret,” Ravi added, grinning.

  Ariel threw her hands up, laughing. “You two are impossible. One of these days I’m going to catch you!”

  Holly slipped her arm around Ariel’s waist, giving her side a squeeze as she steered her gently away from Ravi’s desk. “One of these days, sure. But not today.”

  Ariel glanced over her shoulder, catching Ravi’s conspiratorial smile before Holly tugged her down the aisle. Whatever it was, she wasn’t getting answers yet. But the curiosity burned brighter than ever.

  Their apartment door clicked shut behind them, the city’s evening hum muffled by thick walls and the familiar scent of home. Ariel set her tote by the entryway and tugged off her coat, but her eyes stayed fixed on Holly, who was already sliding her shoes off with exaggerated nonchalance.

  “All right,” Ariel said, voice steady but her smile sly. “We’re home. No more witnesses. Spill it.”

  Holly blinked innocently. “Spill what?”

  “Don’t play dumb, Sinclair,” Ariel teased, folding her arms under her chest. “You and Ravi huddled over that monitor like you were planning to rob Fort Knox. What was it?”

  Holly tapped a finger against her chin. “Hm. Ravi and I were developing a new AI that automatically detects when you’re being too cute and deducts snacks from your pantry.”

  Ariel snorted. “Try again.”

  “Oh!” Holly’s eyes lit with excitement. “Or maybe… we were prototyping a game about pigeons in business suits. Working title: Pigeon Incorporated.”

  Ariel groaned, dragging her hand down her face. “Hol—”

  “No, no, wait, I’ve got it.” Holly snapped her fingers, trying to hold back a grin. “We were designing a top-secret dumpling expansion pack for Wispwood Haven. Ravi says the physics are tricky.”

  Ariel let out a short laugh, then narrowed her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.” She took two deliberate steps forward, crowding Holly back until her shoulders brushed the wall.

  “Oh no,” Holly said softly, but her smile betrayed her.

  Ariel pressed herself gently against her, belly warm against Holly’s middle, their faces close enough for Ariel to lower her voice. “Guess I’ll just have to pull out the big guns,” she murmured, one hand sliding down Holly’s side, her lips brushing teasingly close. “Bribery.”

  Holly squirmed, her laughter catching in her throat. “Oh, no, no, no. That’s cheating.”

  “Effective, though,” Ariel whispered, nipping at her earlobe.

  For a moment, Holly’s breath hitched, her hands instinctively grabbing Ariel's sides…then she leaned in, her lips grazing Ariel’s cheek as she murmured, “I’m saving myself for the wedding night.”

  Ariel drew back just enough to stare at her, mouth dropping open in betrayal. “What?”

  Holly smirked, though her cheeks were flushed. “You heard me.”

  “You’re cruel,” Ariel pouted, pressing her forehead against Holly’s. “Absolutely cruel.”

  “Mm,” Holly hummed, sliding her hands up Ariel’s sides before giving her a playful squeeze. “The cruelest.”

  Ariel sighed dramatically, stepping back and throwing her hands up. “Fine. You win. For now. But this isn’t over.”

  “Good,” Holly said sweetly, kissing her quickly before slipping into the kitchen. “Now help me with dinner before I waste away.”

  Ariel followed, muttering something about being a torture victim. Whatever secret Holly and Ravi were keeping, she’d let it go for now.