Arlene came back a few minutes later, pulling a rack with four dresses on it. “Now, I have a few dresses here. You can try them all on, of course. But I think I have the perfect one, if you want to start with that?”
Maria poked her head out from behind the curtain and reached her hand out, “Sure, why not.” Arlene handed her a black garment bag before standing back by me. A couple seconds later, Maria called for help and Arlene ducked inside to get her zipped up. Then, much to my surprise, the sound of Maria crying filled the room. And my girl waddled out looking like a radiant sunset. Blushing pink melting into a royal, rich plum that flowed around her feet. The multitude of sequins caught the light and I could see that Arlene had gone to town with her pins and things, making it fit just right.
“Oh, Maria. You’re gonna break hearts. I almost feel bad for Diego. He may not survive the night.”
“He hasn’t even asked me yet.”
“He will.”
She ran her hands down the sides of the dress, over her now very visible bump. “What do you think?”
“What doyouthink?”
Her smile was soft, hesitant but hopeful. “I love it so much.”
Arlene clapped her hands. “It’ll take alterations, of course. But that is no problem! We can get it back to you in time for your big night!”
Maria made her way over to me and reached for my hand. “Holly,mi hermana, are you sure? This dress…”
I waved her off. “I am positive. And so is Dad. Whatever we want, he said. Right? And, if this is what you want, it’s what you’ll get.”
She gave me a watery smile before wrapping her arms around me. “I love you.”
Here, in this brightly lit store, a little piece of my heart felt like it had slipped back into place. The cracks still visible, sure. But I felt a bit more whole. Being there for Maria, in the way I wish someone had been there for me…it was healing in ways I couldn’t have even begun to fathom. Squeezing her gently I whispered, “I love you too.”
After a minute, I stepped back and said, “Go ahead and get that off so we can go eat. I am starving.” While Arlene helped Maria out of the dress, and marked where tailoring would be needed, I made my way up to the register. My dress hung behind the counter, needing a bit taken off the hem and a couple nips and tucks. It was a stunner. Black lace overlay clinging to satin gold like sin and silk. The lace was an intricate pattern and the neckline plunged far enough that I was probably going to have my mother gasping dramatically. But my favorite part was the sheer gold cape that hung off either shoulder, trailing behind me like smoke whenever I moved. If I had to wear a damn dress again, it was going to be one that would’ve made the old bags at the pageants clutch their pearls.
By the time Maria had made it up to the front, I had already paid and was waiting for her by the door. Arlene gave us details on how long the tailoring would take, and an estimate on when it would be done but promised to call if they were finished sooner. Maria looped her arm through mine as we made our way out into the weak, spring sunshine. Winter had finally loosened its grip and warmth was desperately trying to creep its way into the soil and air around us. She pulled out her phone as we walked along the row of shops, on the hunt for something to eat. I was down for pretty much anything, content to just follow the pregnant lady’s nose. Which led us both to our favorite spot.
“I swear, if Momma Laverne has her lemon pie today, I might cry,” Maria groaned, sniffing dramatically.
I laughed. “You’ve cried like six times already.”
“Pregnancy. I contain multitudes.”
The bell above Momma Laverne’s door jingled as I pulled it open, warmth and the smell of grease and sugar wrapping around us like a hug.
Let me just tell Diego where we are.”
I raised an eyebrow and she blushed furiously, mumbling something about seeing if he wanted to join us. “He needs to hurry the heck up,” I teased.
“What do you mean?”
“Asking you to prom!”
Her eyes brightened when I held the door open for her, and she sniffed the air like a hound dog. “I’m not worried about it. What about you and Jackson?”
I tripped over the entry rug. “What about it?”
I almost said us. There is no us. There could never be an us. Sure, the guy was handsome. I could admire those gray eyes. That jawline. Wonder what his hair would feel like if I ran my hands threw it. Dreaming was harmless. But a relationship? With Jackson Morgan? So far from harmless it was in a different fucking galaxy. I focused again on Maria who was oblivious to my inner monologue.
“I mean, in between ripping each other’s heads off, you guys have been making moon eyes at each other the last few weeks.”
Stepping up to the counter, I opted to order for us instead of answering, but found Maria watching me expectantly. Before I could speak, a warm, familiar voice cut in.
“Well hey now,” Momma Laverne called from behind the register, sliding her glasses down her nose to get a better look at us. “How’s my girls doin’ today?”
Maria’s whole face lit up. “Hi, Mama Laverne.”
