“Eat your heart out, Duchess Sussex!” Mya winked, looking at Tanika in the mirror. “You look good, boss!”
Tanika sniffed as she turned to face her girls. “I haven’t been totally honest. The reason why I didn’t want a traditional dress was because I couldn’t share this moment with the one person I always thought would be here. My mom should be here, you know?”
They all nodded sympathetically. Tanika and her mother had been very close.
“But,” Tanika began, a slight smile gracing her face, “I have my girls here. And that means the world to me. Jackie, thank you for convincing me to do this.” Tanika bent down and gave Jackie a hug. “I love you, cousin.”
Jackie let her tears fall, finally. She wiped her face, then typed the all-important question to Tanika. “Okay. So, is this the dress?”
“Yes!” squealed Tanika. “This is the dress!”
The girls erupted in cheers.
The sales associate brought over more champagne. “Congratulations, Ms. Ryan. The Martine looks so good on you.”
Sara sipped her champagne and smiled, but Tanika, Jackie, and Bronwyn froze.
Tanika blinked. “What did you say?”
The sales associate stared, bewildered. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, the name of the dress? Did you say Martine?” repeated Bronwyn.
The associate nodded. “Yes. And it’s the only one we have in the store.” She looked between the trio of teary women. “Oh dear, is this not what you want?”
“Trust me, she wants it,” Jackie added, her heart nearly bursting with happiness.
“Oh my god,” Tanika said, visibly shaking as she ran a hand along the dress. “I guess she was here all along.”
Bronwyn rubbed Tanika’s shoulders. “She really was.”
“What’s going on?” Sara asked.
“Martine was Tanika’s mother’s name,” Mya whispered.
“Oh, how sweet.” The sales associated beamed. “Ms. Ryan, whenever you’re ready, we’ll get your measurements and start the order for your dress.”
“I need a moment,” Tanika said.
“Sure thing. Take your time, ladies.” With that, the sale associate left the women alone.
“Cosmic,” Bronwyn said, squeezing her friend’s hand. “Nothing is a coincidence.”
Tanika finally let out a breath. “Our lives are full of these magical moments, if we pay attention to them. Right?”
“Yep! You have no idea!” Bronwyn said, then winked at Jackie, a sly look on her face. Jackie knew what that wink meant. That was hersee, I was rightwink. Jackie rolled her eyes and smiled.
CHAPTER 34
