I let go of her hand and bring mine back to the bottom of the garment bag, holding it up off the floor. “Okay, I’m going to go try this life-changing dress on.”
She waves her hand, brushing me off. “Oh, stop. Let’s see if you even like it first.”
I skip off to the bathroom down the hallway. I unzip the garment bag and my breath catches in my throat. It’s a gorgeous floor-length periwinkle gown made entirely of satin.
I carefully step into the dress and pull up the hidden zipper on the back of the corset top. The delicate spaghetti straps slide easily over my shoulders and frame the elegant sweetheart neckline. Gently swaying my hips, I watch as the gown flows seamlessly to the floor in a softened mermaid-style. The design almost looks like a cascade of water, angelic and fresh. It fits perfectly.
When I walk back into the kitchen, Tessa is looking out the window. I give the donuts a longing stare before clearing my throat to announce my presence.
She turns around and gives a small gasp. “Not to brag, but this might just be my Magnum Opus. You’re stunning. I have to take a picture for Mom.”
Tessa grabs her phone from her purse, and I smile for at least five minutes while she takes multiple pictures from different angles for Janie, who is home sick with the flu.
“I knew it would be perfect because you designed it, but Tessa…it’s on another level. This is art. Hang it in the Louvre.”
She flushes. “Thanks, G.”
“I mean, how did you even pick this color? It goes so well with my?—”
“Eyes,” Tessa interjects with a grin. “My brother picked the color.”
It’s my turn to blush. “Oh. Well, that’s…”
“Romantic, right? It’s kind of gross, as his sister, but definitely romantic. He is so gone for you.”
My throat constricts. My heart races. A wonderful, heavy, warm fog blankets my mind.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “The feeling’s mutual.”
And the feelingismutual. It always has been. It hasn’t taken me a long time to realize it; it’s taken me a long time tobelieveit.
Tess nods, giving me a knowing look. “When he came with me to the fabric store a few weeks ago, he spent, like, two hours trying to find the perfect color to complement your eyes and?—”
“He went to afabric store?”
“Yeah,” she replies shyly.
“Wow.” I hum, trying to tame my emotions for this man before I ruin my makeup.
“Anyway, he said he was specifically looking for a bluish purple tone, and this was the closest match.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
Tessa glances at her phone. “Well, whatever you want to say, you can tell him at the gala. The car should be here now.”
“I’ll grab my clutch. And thank you so much, again. I can’t believe how perfect it is, and the fact that you designed it makes it even better.”
“You’re welcome. It was fun designing it for you.”
I slip on strappy nude heels and get in the car, which turns out to be a limo, becauseof courseDanny sent a limo.
After a surprisingly fast car ride, we pull up outside the event. A flurry of butterflies begin to flutter in my stomach. It’s more excitement than nerves, because I’m itching to see Danny. I’m ready to wrap my arms around him and tell him that I’m in love with him. I still can’t believe that he went through so much effort, on top of being busy with football meetings and gala planning, to shop with Tessa for my dress.
I’m walking on air as we carefully wiggle out of the limo. Glamorous gala-goers exit their private cars and walk the green carpet. I expected to feel out of place at an event like this, but tonight, my confidence is at an all-time high as we head toward the Step-and-Repeat for pictures. I pose next to Tessa until we reach the large front door to the event.
Instead of knobs, the front door has two golden bee-shaped handles to grab. I smile up at the sky at the reminder of Mae.She would’ve loved these, I think to myself as the attendants open the doors for us.
When I walk into the event space, I drop my clutch in shock. As if she prepared for my whole-body reaction, Tessa bends down to pick it up and pats my hand a few times.
