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“Do you have any photos?” Serena asks, interest on her face.
“Of my dresses? Sure.” I pull my phone out of my purse, navigating to my gallery. “Here’s one with the train I was talking about. They wanted something for a medieval cosplay they were doing, but the idea’s the same. And then this one for the sleeves—kind of a seventies feel to it. I bet there’s a designer who makes something like what I sketched.”
“What about you?”
I stare back at her for a moment, not sure what she’s saying. “What about me?”
“Could you make my wedding dress?” She gently takes the clipboard from me, tracing my drawing with careful fingertips. “I know this sounds crazy, but the more I look at this, the more in love I am. And you could do so many things to customize it too, like stitching Archer’s name along the hem, or—oh! Pockets. I’ve always wanted a nice dress with pockets.”
My mind is in too much shock to process anything beyond her first sentence. “You want me to make your wedding dress?” I blink, hardly able to believe that’s what she actually said.
“Yeah.” She laughs, the sound light and airy. “If you’re taking commissions, that is. Do you have time now that you’re working for Connor?”
Is this a good idea? It’s not that I’m not capable of it. But it was one thing when I thought I’d meet her once and be on my way. This is different. I’ll have to work with her on the design, take her measurements, do at least one fitting. Multiple meetings. Multiple chances for someone to figure out the truth about who I really am. Connor’s brothers were already too perceptive for my liking.
But it’s also a chance to get to know her. My sister. And she already seems so wonderful. Better even than the fantasy version of her I’d built up in my head.
“I’ll do it,” I blurt out, not giving myself time to reason my way out of it. My gut wants to do this. And now that I’ve said yes, my brain is kicking into gear debating the best material to use, the best cut. What I have at home and what I’ll need to buy.
“Oh my God, that’s fantastic.” She beams at me, those eerily similar eyes sparkling. “I have to go tell Archer.”
Mackenzie sidles up to me as Serena leaves, smiling to herself. “You just made her day.”
I hold back the hysterical burble of laughter that wants to escape. It’s definitely the other way around. If I could say I made a custom wedding dress for someone like her, it would be a huge step toward making an actual business a reality. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity. This could change, well, everything.”
“I know exactly what you mean. That’s how I felt when I landed the deal to plan the other wedding.”
“The one to your boyfriend?”
Her grin grows wider. “Yeah, that one.” There’s obviously a story there, but she’s not telling. “Did Connor tell you I’m dating his brother?”
“Yeah.”
“He must trust you, then.” She looks at me, seeming to size me up. “Do you have a business card? If I have brides looking for a custom dress, I can refer them to you. And then vice versa? If you have someone that commissions a dress, offer me as a wedding planner.”
“Yes, of course.” She’d really recommend me like that? “Um, not to shoot myself in the foot, but are you sure? You don’t even know me.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Show me that medieval dress again.”
I bring it up on my phone again, angling the screen toward her.
“Gorgeous,” she sighs. “I’ve never once remotely thought about attending a Renaissance fair, but this dress makes me consider it. Your work speaks for itself, Emma. You obviously have skill.”
The blush from earlier spreads over my face, cheeks turning hot. “Thank you. And I’ll get you my business cards. As soon as I make them.”
She laughs, pulling a stack of her own cards out of her purse. “My office address is on here. Bring them by whenever you have a chance.”
“I will. Thanks.”
I follow her out to the reception space, the three brothers in a loose semi-circle with Serena comfortably fitted against Archer’s side. They really are a beautiful couple. And as Mackenzie joins Gabriel, his arm going around her waist in what seems like an unconscious movement as he continues to speak, there’s no denying how good the two of them look together too.
I’m hesitant to intrude, feeling the odd man out in this familial unit, but when Connor notices me hovering off to the side, he breaks from them to walk over to me.
“I heard you’ve been busy.”
Yeah, I guess I have. Wait, he’s not mad, is he? Is it a conflict of interest to book a job while technically on the clock for another?
“You mean Serena’s dress?” I ask, making sure we’re talking about the same thing.