“I fucking love that sound.” He smiled at my joy and carried on kissing me, his rock hard cock pressed up against me.

“Cormac fuckin’ O’Connell. I want twenty-five press ups for every feckin’ minute I have to spend looking for you.”

“Go, love. He’ll have you training all night, and I’d like to see my fiancé before I sleep tonight if it’s all the same to you.”

He let me down gently until my feet touched the floor, but carried on holding me in his arms.

“I like being called your fiancé,” he said between kisses.

“Well, don’t get too used to it. You’ll be my husband in a week.”

“You bet your arse I will be. Now go and blow some of that tight arse’s money and get a dress that takes my breath away.”

He kissed me long and hard enough to make me moan and for both of us to hear Danny mumble, “I’m too old for this shite,” as he walked into the changing room. I guessed my fiancé wouldn’t be making it home for dinner, after all.

IT WAS AN EDUCATION TO LEARN that you needed an appointment to get a wedding dress. Apparently, you were supposed to get one months before the wedding, not days, to allow time for it to be made and fitted. Within an hour of being turned away or laughed out of no less than four dress shops, my earlier euphoria had dwindled and the boys were getting more and more pissed. It wasn’t so much that we couldn’t get a dress, but more the attitude of some of the women in these places that was upsetting me and making them mad. I was all ready to jack in the shopping trip and get married in my jeans, when Kieran sensibly suggested a timeout. When the boys had each put away a full English fry up, and I’d enjoyed a nice cup of tea, Tommy, who was feeling much better, phoned his mum. He explained what had happened, as she apparently knew all about the engagement, and ten minutes later, she had gotten us an appointment in an hour at the Fairytale Boutique in Crouch End. As soon as we walked in, I knew that I would get my dress here. There was no word to describe the shop but magical. Whereas most bridal boutiques that we’d been to were pristine, modern, and sterile, this place was enchanting. The solid oak floors had been lovingly treated and the cream walls, backlit with gentle lighting, were barely visible behind the elegant arrangements of pussy willow branches interspersed with fairy lights and baby breath.

“Hello. You must be Emily,” a beautiful young woman walked toward me and shook my hand. She was dressed smartly but simply, in a fitted grey shift dress with black heels, complemented by a diamond pendant necklace and studs. All in all, she couldn’t have been much older than I was, but she had warm eyes and a really welcoming smile.

“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”

“It’s not a problem at all. I had a cancellation, so your timing is perfect.”

I turned to introduce the guys, only to find Tommy hopping about from foot to foot like some kid hyped up on sugar who desperately needed the toilet, and Kieran, staring at the lady with his mouth open.

“This is Kieran and Tommy,” I introduced. Tommy nodded his head toward her and gave a, “what’s up?” which made me roll my eyes. Kieran, as pole axed as he appeared to be, stuck out his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Marie.”

“Urr...I’m Kieran,” Kieran replied, and kept shaking her hand. I’d never seen Kieran so affected by a girl, and one who worked in a wedding dress shop no less. Usually that alone would be enough to give him hives. By Marie’s blush, it seemed that Kieran’s attraction wasn’t one sided.

“Do you think that it’s too late for us to get a dress?” I asked after a while. They jumped back guiltily, and Marie clasped both of her hands together.

“Oh, usually I would be worried, but to be honest, all of my dresses for the Christmas and New Year weddings have been delivered and I make and do the alterations on a lot of the dresses myself, so I’m sure we can find something for you. You might not get it until the afternoon before the wedding, but I’m sure I can help you out.”

“Thank you so much,” I sighed deeply, relieved beyond words that I wouldn’t have to marry the man of my dreams without a dress.

“I’m so sorry, gentlemen. You’ll have to sort yourselves out for suits. I only stock ladies dresses in here.”

“Don’t need suits, we’re the bridesmaids,” Tommy deadpanned. To give her professional credit, she didn’t laugh at him, but eyed him as though she were mentally sizing him up for a bridesmaid dress. Kieran elbowed Tommy in the stomach, hard.

“He’s kidding. We’re fine, thanks.”

Marie smiled as though she wasn’t quite sure of them both, but guided them to a plump, inviting-looking sofa at the back of the shop.

“If you gentlemen would like to take a seat, I’ll get Emily ready. Can I offer you anything to drink?” she asked. Tommy opened his trap, ready to give her his order when Kieran elbowed him again and mumbled, “We’re fine, thanks.”

With a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement to Kieran, Marie guided me to the dressing room at the back of the shop.

“I’m not sure if you have anything in mind that you’d like, but I took the liberty of racking up some dresses that I know I can make or adjust on short notice.”

All of the dresses were absolutely amazing.

“These are gorgeous,” I told her, stunned.

“Thanks.” She smiled. “These are all of my designs. We’d have to send away for a dress by any other designer, and there just isn’t the time.”

“Wow. You’re very talented,” I mused, completely truthfully.

Each dress was delicate and ethereal and fit in with the theme of the shop beautifully. I tried a couple on and Marie pinned them at the back to give me an indication of how I’d look when they were fitted to my size. I loved them all, and I knew it was going to be a tough decision.

“Emmmm...” Tommy whined, as he walked bold as brass into the fitting room.

“You’ve been ages.” Marie looked shocked at his behaviour, but to be honest, I was

shocked that Kieran had kept Tom out for as long as he had.

“Fuck me, Em, you’re gorgeous. If I knew how you looked in a wedding dress, I’d have got in there first.”

“For fuck’s sake, Tom, what if you’d walked in and seen her in her underwear? Con would have blackened your eyes up so bad that you’d still be blind at the wedding,” Kieran said, walking in behind him.