All Four Courses
Abbot
Ever since I met Sloan Kennedy and Carly Anderson earlier this week I’ve been hoping I get to see them again. We’re working together to plan an event that is being put on by our companies. It’s supposed to be an event to remember, because it’s a collaboration between two giants in the fashion world. We have to get along no matter what, but they seem like genuinely nice girls. It’s not usually easy for me to get along with other girls but with Sloan and Carly, I feel safe.
It’s easy to see that they would be incredible friends, plus we all work in the same industry so we probably have a lot in common. Sloan is gorgeous, the kind of girl that anyone could look at and find incredibly beautiful. It seems like the only person who doesn’t realize how hot Sloan is, is Sloan. She is inspiring and strong, I bet she gives great advice and she makes me want to be better. I need that, it’s so easy for me to lose interest and forget things.
Carly on the other hand, she is low-key beautiful. I’d say girl next store but it’s not just that, her face is unique. Everything seems to be fighting for dominance, her lips are heart shaped and demand attention, but her deep blue eyes demand it as well. Then she has freckles and a button nose that make her adorable to look at. She is shy and reserved, but I get the feeling that once you get to know her there is more under the surface. I want to be friends with her because I think we could understand each other. Neither one of us seem as confident and self-assured as Sloan, maybe we can learn from her together.
So naturally when Sloan reached out and invited me to her wedding I was game. The question is what do I wear to a wedding where most people will know I’m the heiress of a fashion empire? I feel a constant need to perform when I’m at social events, I don’t make a point of keeping my family a secret but I do tend to hold back on my last name a bit when meeting new people.
My mother, Margot Dubois, is a role model to people all around the world who want to work in fashion. She started her company on her own when she was in design school and has become a household name. Sometimes I think people even forget that Dubois is in fact a person and not just a brand.
After digging through my options I decide to wear a vintage Dubois dress but I style it my way with a thick gold belt and a crisp white shirt underneath; topped off with a strand of pearls, I feel invincible.
After I tame my long brown hair and put on a bit of natural looking makeup, I gloss my lips and go down to my car. Of course, Sloan said not to bring her anything, but I know that she can’t say no to a vintage Dubois bag, especially in LILAC’s shade of purple, so I’ve wrapped it up for her. I’ve never met Kade, the man she is marrying, but I know about him. He’s an up and comer in the music industry with a large online following; mother says he’ll be happy as long as his new wife is, but I still picked out a watch that seemed like it had a rocker vibe to it for him.
People say I’m too nice, but really it’s because I just want everyone to like me. It’s not a secret to me that some people find me strange and even sometimes dismissive. It’s because I have ADHD but not in the way people automatically think. I have inattentive type ADHD, so not only do I have my moments of hyperactivity, but also I have problems in social situations. People think I’m not paying attention but in reality it’s more that my mind isn’t always capable of doing that. Picking out gifts is something I enjoy doing, and they help people see that I care for them, I guess it’s my love language.
On my way to the wedding, my GPS guides me out of the city to the outskirts, where all the old money lives. I had no idea that Sloan came from money, but I suppose it makes sense. Without at least some help you rarely get to the position she’s in at such a young age, even if you are incredibly dedicated.
When I reach my destination I take in the large manor house in front of me. The driveway is long giving me plenty of time to appreciate its grandeur as I approach.
I had suspected that I’d run into some people who know who I am today but I didn’t really think I was plunking myself into the middle of a society party. Either way, I don’t have it in me to be shy, so I pass my keys off to the hired valet and make my way up to the front door. I knock twice and hope that there is someone paying attention. An older woman with curly hair opens the door and smiles.
“Hi, I’m Abbot, I’m a friend of Sloan’s,” I say as I return her smile.
“Of course, I think that all the girls are waiting for you. I’m Carol, Kade’s mother, come in.”
I follow the friendly woman into an immaculately decorated foyer, then up the stairs. When she opens a door I’m greeted with a room full of girls my age, all fawning around Sloan. She looks so amazing, like some kind of Grecian princess with her hair braided in a crown around her head.
“Wow, Sloan, you look gorgeous, what are you going to wear?” I ask as I take her in.
“Honestly, I haven’t decided yet… maybe you can help me?” Sloan smiles timidly.
That’s when I make eye contact with Carly and we seem to have the same idea. After we’ve made Sloan try on all of her dress options we help her select the best one. I’m happy because she looks the full vision of a Grecian goddess now, in the one shoulder gown we chose.
She keeps complaining that her tiny little baby bump is showing, I see it but only because she keeps pointing it out. That little bundle in her belly is probably part of the reason she looks so glowy today, but I understand worrying about your appearance on your wedding day.
By the time we’ve all finished preparing Sloan for her big walk down the aisle. I feel like I’m old friends with Kade’s sisters, Priya and Rhea, too. The calm, relaxed attitude everyone has today makes me feel like this is a truly happy occasion. Everyone in attendance seems to support Kade and Sloan completely, and it makes me feel happy to be around so many positive energies.
Priya and Rhea have been so focused on Sloan that they realize they’ve forgotten to attend to themselves. Carly and I feel a bit out of place since we’re not actually part of the wedding party. We want to give them their sister time so we decide to head outside to sit with the other guests, while everyone puts on their wedding clothes.
When we make our way to the backyard it’s impossible not to notice that there are beautiful people milling around; mainly men. Most of them are in blue suits. I guess it’s good I wore navy today or I’d be standing out like a sore thumb.
Damn, is that a dad? Even the older men are good looking. That’s what I think until I see the blonde haired, blue eyed, four course meal walking past us, he’s the only thing on my mind now. Holy hell he is fine.
Thankfully before I can make a fool of myself Carly breaks into my thoughts, “Abbot have you met Sloan’s fiancé yet?”
“No, I haven’t officially but I know of him,” I smile, but my eyes are still scoping out my hookup for later.
I’m great at short relationships; I’m good at getting men, just not keeping them. Once they get inside my head or my apartment, and see all my lists and quirks they run away. I get it, it’s going to take a special man to handle the full Abbot, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a bit of fun while I try to find him.
“What about all these other people?” Carly asks as she looks around the yard.
“No, I have no idea but have you seen these guys? I have a feeling this is going to be a fun night,” I smile, hoping that Carly will be down to be my wing woman tonight.
As I suspected though, Carly is shy and reserved, “Whoa, you’re brave, I’m not good at putting myself out there,” she laughs while her cheeks pink up.
“Stick with me kid, I’ll show you the ropes.”
