The Red Dress #1 - A Sweet Romance Modern Day Fairytale

By Dani Gibbings

Ever since Sandra found the red dress in the back of her best friend's mom's closet, strange things have happened. Mostly, it has been this one guy that keeps appearing in her life when she wears the red dress. And when she wears the red dress, she appears more beautiful, feels more confident, and everything just seems better! She feels like she's in a fairy tale. Is there some kind of magic in this dress? Sandra is focused on her career and ever since her first boyfriend broke her heart she hasn't had a lot of time for men. But when she puts this red dress on - he keeps showing up in her life again! Will the red dress help Sandra find her soul mate? The sweet romance will make you believe in magic and fairy tales all over again!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dani Gibbings
• Release date: Jul 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386338925

Book preview

August, 1971

SANDRA CAME BACK FROM the hallway, where she’d been talking on the phone. Her face was lit up with excitement, and she could barely contain herself.  

What is the matter with you? her friend, Donna, asked. You look like you’ve won the lottery or something.

Sandra peeked down the hallway to make sure that her bratty kid brother wasn’t nearby. She hated that she still lived at home at 20 years old, but it was only for a few more months and then she would have enough money to get her own place. Closing the door, she turned to Donna. Sandra knew she shouldn’t say anything until she was sure, but she felt like she would burst if she didn’t.

Did you win the lottery? Donna asked.

That was David...

Oh. And? He’s going back to school on Monday isn’t he?

Yes, he is. He wants to take me out to dinner on Saturday night before he goes. He’s got a big thing with his family on Sunday, so Saturday he’s taking me out, Sandra said.

Ok - and this is a big deal because...?

He’s taking me to Harper’s! Sandra said.

Donna smiled and said, Wow - that is pretty fancy. But you deserve it. You two have been going out for what, five years now? I’m pretty sure you’re due for dinner at Harper’s.

Yes, Sandra said, rolling her eyes. But there’s more. He said he has something really important that he needs to talk to me about.

Donna waited for the rest because she didn’t know what David wanted to talk to Sandra about. When it was obvious that Sandra expected her to know why she was excited, she said, Ok - I’ll bite. What’s this important thing that he needs to talk to you about?

Sandra covered her mouth, breathing heavily through her hands, the way she always did when she was worked up about something.

Don’t you get it? He’s going to propose! Sandra finally revealed.

Donna’s eyes opened wide. Do you think so?

Sandra nodded her head. That has to be it. We’ve been together for five years, like you said. What else could it be? Why would he take me to Harper’s? It’s the best restaurant in town and he said that he had to talk to me about something really important! That’s got to be it.

Donna said nothing for a moment. She’d never made her dislike for David verbal but Sandra knew that she didn’t really approve of him. She thought that David was a pompous, rich kid. He was a senior and the captain of the football team when Donna and Sandra were in their first year of high school and Sandra had broken all the rules by becoming head cheerleader in her first year. No one else could remember a time when the captain of the football team had gotten serious with a junior, but Sandra was really good at cheerleading and she was well liked by everyone. Donna always figured that David just did what he was supposed to do - ask the head cheerleader out and go out with her through high school. She never could figure out why they were still together.

Donna knew that Sandra loved David, though, so even now, she didn’t say anything bad about him. She just got up from the bed and gave her friend a hug.

That’s great Sandra.You’re going to say yes, I assume, Donna said.

Of course. But what am I going to wear? Sandra asked.

You can borrow something from me.

I’ve borrowed everything nice that you own. He’s seen everything, Sandra said with a sigh. It was true. Sandra didn’t have a lot of nice clothes and when she went somewhere with David, she often borrowed Donna’s clothes.

Well, my mom’s closet is still full of her things, Donna suggested

Really? Won’t your dad get upset if I borrow something?

He’ll never know. He’s been in a daze since she passed away last year. Dad never goes in her closet. And she would hate that all of her beautiful clothes were just sitting in there going to waste. I can’t wear them. It would just make me sad. But she loved you, and I think she’d be quite happy if you wore something of hers the day you got engaged.

Ok, Sandra said, her smile getting bigger by the minute. Can we go over there now?

Sure. My dad won’t be home from work for a few more hours.

Ok. I’ll meet you at your car. I’m just going to tell mom where I’m going.

Donna headed out to her car to wait for Sandra. She really hoped that Sandra was right and not just getting her hopes up. She’d been friends with Sandra since grade school and she knew that Sandra didn’t have an easy life.

Her dad got laid