Page 84 of Fathers of the Bride

“Well, in that case…”

“Water is fine for me,” she said.

“Flat or sparkling?”

“Tap.”

Timpani looked confused for a moment, and then said, “I’ll have to look into that.”

“I’ll have champagne,” Andy said, which started a chorus of ‘me too’s.’

Timpani said, “Follow me to your studio. There should be a bottle of champagne chilling.”

Awkwardly, the eight of us trailed after Timpani to the studio with its cotton duck walls and comfy furniture. There was only room for four of us to sit. Five if we risked an unwanted pregnancy. It did seem we’d brought a lot of people to watch one little girl try on dresses. Not to mention two of us weren’t even related.

Just as we reached the studio, I heard Andy whisper to Raj, “What are you even doing here?”

“I was invited,” he said stiffly. Then he walked over to Kelly, saying, “Sweetie, we need to take a selfie later.”

“I don’t think I want—”

“Did you hear? I haveovera million followers!”

“Oh, uh, congratulations?”

And then there was a loud pop. Timpani had opened the champagne. She held the bottle of champagne and a glass of water. She handed me the water, and then asked, “Are we all here?”

“And then some,” I said.

Timpani walked over to a corner and pulled a velvet rope. Then, as she began pouring champagne, she said, “Now, why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for.”

“Oh, we’re thinking scoop neck,” Pudge said.

“Corset, you cannot go wrong with a corset,” Lissa added.

“Something ultrachic,” Martha contributed.

“And… visual. It’s all going to be Instagrammed,” Raj said. “A million followers. Plus!” He turned to Andy and added, “Bae, talk to her about the promotional possibilities.”

Andy fumed. “Don’t call me bae.”

“Actually, I was asking the bride,” Timpani said. “Do you have any thoughts, Kelly?”

She took a deep breath and said, “Well, I’m interested in sustainable fabrics, organic, zero waste. Deadstock might be nice. If you have anything that’s been returned, I’d love to look at that.”

“Oh please,” Pudge said. “Now is not the time for saving the planet.”

Jeffery cleared his throat.

“What?” Pudge growled. “I didn’t say a word about race. Or sex. Or—”

“Our Kelly is concerned about the environment,” Lissa said to Timpani, as though it was a cute but passing phase. “But she really needs a pretty dress.”

“Pretty?” Pudge said. “She needs agorgeousdress.”

“More and more of our brides have a concern about how the dresses are produced and whether they’re environmentally friendly,” Timpani explained. “We stock a number of excellent choices. I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t forget the scoop neck,” Pudge called after her.