I meander into the kitchen and my mouth waters at the spread Danny had delivered this morning. It smells amazing in here, like a bakery. My dirty chai is as delicious as the donuts he ordered.
I’m thinking about takingjust one more biteof a glazed twist when the doorbell rings. I rush for it, knowing who awaits me on the other side.
“Tessa!”
“G! Oh my God!”
I go in hard for a hug before she stops me. “Makeup, hair!”
“Thanks for the reminder. I’m not used to all of this.” I pull back, gesturing to my face.
“After a few years in the fashion industry, it’s all I’m used to,” she replies with a genuine smile.
Tessa stands tall and regal, looking statuesque. Her thick, black hair is waved into an Old Hollywood style. The golden shadow on her eyelids highlights her dark features, and big gold hoops decorate her ears. Her deep red, trumpet-style dress fits her like a glove, and her skin glows in a way where I can’t tell if it’s just her beauty or shimmer.
“Wow. You look gorgeous, Tess. Did you design that dress?”
She flushes. “Um, yeah. This is one of mine.”
“It’s breathtaking. Your talent is unbelievable.”
“Thanks, that means a lot coming from you,” she says fondly. “Just wait until you see your dress, it’s my favorite piece I’ve designed so far.”
I squeal. “I can’t wait! Should we try it on now?”
“Yeah, we have to leave for the gala in about thirty minutes. Daniel is giving an opening speech, and he’ll murder me if we miss it.” She laughs. “He’s been practicing for days.”
“I definitely don’t want to miss it. I asked him if I could listen to him practice, and he all but hung up on me, acting like it’s classified information. Who am I going to tell? I’m not even connected in the sports world.”
Tessa looks at me with questioning eyes before her lips turn up in a smile. “Um, yeah, he takes anything to do with his…sports foundation super seriously.”
“Do you ever help with the foundation?”
“He’s kind of a control freak, so not really. But the creative director I work for donated couture dresses to auction off, so I brought them with me.”
“That’s so nice! I bet they go for a hefty price.”
She brushes a stray eyelash off my nose. “Yep. He’s aVoguedarling. They definitely sell.”
Tessa hands me the black garment bag she’s holding. “Here’s your dress. I brought my sewing kit if needed, though I’m not great at alterations. I really hope you like it. I smiled the whole way through designing this one.”
I hold the garment bag lightly, not wanting to wrinkle the gown. “I’ve always loved your designs.”
Tessa rolls her eyes and scoffs. “I’m sure the garbage bag dress I made you in the fourth grade was a real highlight.”
“Hey! Don’t talk about my first Tessa Couture gown like that.Grocery Chicwas super in that year.”
We both burst out laughing.
“I think my mom still has a picture of you wearing that somewhere.”
“Good, I hope Janie keeps it for posterity. When you blow up and a streaming service makes a documentary about you, we can point to it as an early design.”
Tessa’s smile holds steady, but her eyes begin to mist over. “You haven’t changed a bit. I’m…I’m so happy that you and my brother are friends again.” Shaking her head, she blows out a frustrated breath. “Ugh! I need to pull myself together, or the glam will be ruined. It took me hours to get ready.”
“Tessa,” I breathe, “I wanted to say…it was incredibly hard to lose contact with you over all of these years. It was immature of me, but any reminders of him—including you—left me in agony. I’m sorry. I never stopped thinking about you.” I reach out and hold her hand in lieu of a hug.
She laces her fingers through mine. “Same. I’ve always loved you like a sister. I hope you know that, G.”
