As Aimee dived into detailed explanations of each dress she’d selected and Nina listened intently, Markus stood and came to Sierra. ‘You okay, doll?’
‘Golden.’
‘Liar.’ He nudged her with his elbow. ‘But I got you.’
This time, Sierra’s smile was genuine. ‘Ditto.’ She linked her fingers with his, and unable to acknowledge all those emotions, redirected with, ‘Let’s go cheer our girl on.’
‘Hell yeah.’
They reclaimed their seats on the sofa while Nina headed to the dressing room.
Poppy slipped onto Sierra’s lap and leaned back against her chest. Sierra took a deep, calming breath. And even though she reminded herself,You’re fine, that swirling anxiety never left. It circled in her chest, winding her breath tighter and tighter so that it took everything she had left not to get up and run outside.
Still, when Nina came out wearing the first dress, Sierra put her glass down so that she could clap her hands. ‘Beautiful!’
‘Wow, Neens!’ Poppy exclaimed.
The dress was nothing but a sleek column of ivory silk ending in a thick halter neck strap. Nina’s pixie-like frame wore it better than any model could have. She ran both her hands down her waist. ‘It’s so light. I feel naked.’ She laughed happily.
Aimee helped her up onto the pedestal. ‘Not very many women can wear this,’ she observed. ‘It shows every flaw. But you are lucky to have so few lumps,’ she commented matter-of-factly, her French accent oozing approval.
‘I love it,’ Nina said, but her tone was hesitant.
‘But?’ Sierra prompted.
Nina met her eyes in the mirror. ‘I want Poppy and me to match. It’s kinda our thing.’ She looked apologetically at Aimee. ‘My stepdaughter and I want to wear the same – or, at least, similar dresses.’ She indicated to Poppy.
‘Oh, yes. You mentioned on the phone.’ Aimee clapped her hands twice in rapid succession.
The assistant appeared out of nowhere. ‘Where are the dresses we set aside for the little girl?’
As the assistant ran to fetch them, Aimee turned back to Nina. ‘They are not exact. They are made for flower girls. But we can find a similar style, make some alterations using the same lace.’ She sighed sadly. ‘But not this one. This one is’ – she waved one hand – ‘too sexy for the little girl.’
‘Thank you. Um, there’s one other thing …’
‘Oui?’
‘I’m getting married in cowgirl boots.’
Sierra had to bite back her grin at the flabbergasted look on Aimee’s face. And when the boutique owner said, ‘I see,’ she choked on a laugh.
Next to her, Markus giggled, which set Poppy off so that the three of them were cackling audibly.
The moment Aimee went off to find a few more options, Nina turned to face them, her own lips fighting a smile. ‘I don’t think she liked that.’
Sierra shook her head. ‘Definitely not. But it’s not her wedding.’
‘And you’re Nina Keller,’ Markus reminded her. ‘You could tell her you wanted a dress made out of red meat and she’d make it work.’
‘Lady Gaga already did that,’ Sierra reminded him.
‘She did. I love her.’ Markus sighed. He picked up Nina’s champagne flute and stood to pass it to her.
Sierra was watching Nina, so she saw the way she hesitated before taking the flute. And once it was in her hand, she didn’t sip it, only held it.
Slowly, Nina raised her eyes to Sierra’s.
The question and the answer passed between them silently. Sierra’s eyes filled, but it was Nina who started crying first.
