Page 135 of The Wedding

None of that compared to the detail on the skirt.

The whole dress wasn’t white, although that was the dominant color. All over the skirt and crawling from the waistline up were light gold leaves sewn directly into the fabric. It created a golden illusion, like a burst of sunset breaking through a cloudy sky. The train was long enough to look regal without dragging half the dress on the ground. The bow beneath the back buttons blended seamlessly into the rest of the look.

But it wasn’t until the assistant pulled back Jamie’s hair and put a tiara on her head that she started to cry.

“See? I told you.” Bonita sniffed. “I am the best. Even this girl can look like a princess.”

“I’ll pretend you didn’t imply something about her, Bonita.”

“Don’t pretend. I say everything I think.”

“So I’ve always noticed.”

“Well?” Bonita asked, louder. “Isn’t this the dress you will lose your last name in?”

It was such a gruff way to put it, but Jamie could only think of Etta’s face when she saw her in this dress.I would be good enough. Good enough to call me her bride.More tears began to fall down Jamie’s face. Tears of happiness,of course, but she did not expect them so soon, let alone this weekend. She looked over her shoulder and nodded to both Bonita and Adele. “This is the first dress to make me feel like a bride,” she said.

Bonita scoffed, becauseof courseit was. Adele, on the other hand, grinned and told Jamie that she was the most beautiful bride in Europe.

“We must make alterations, of course,” Bonita said, summoning a different assistant to take notes. “Hold still while we measure you. Then we’ll make sure all the alterations are made before your wedding. I’ll come to America myself to fit it on you.”

“You only offer that because Jamie’s your ticket to wowing Americans.”

“No kidding?” The designer put her hand on Jamie’s bare shoulder, studying her breasts and waist and how they fit in the dress. “If this Jamie is marrying a woman as big as you say she is, then my design will be all over the American papers. You are my big break, sweetie, and I will never forget… this dress.”

Fifteen minutes later, Bonita was satisfied with the numbers written in the notes and instructed her assistants to get Jamie out of the dress. However, before anyone could leave, she told Adele and Jamie to wait on the bench while business was discussed in the back corner of the studio.

“I’m happy for you,” Adele said, fanning herself with her address book, “and for myself, because now I can spend the rest of my weekend relaxing with Italian wine and fashion.”

Jamie was still reeling from the sight of her reflection in that dress.I can feel it on my skin, even now.How silky it felt. How luscious the design was. How it moved with such graceful airs that it felt like it weighed nothing at all.Nowthatwas the kind of dress she could get married in.

“You didn’t have to do this,” she said, facing Adele.

“Of course I did. Seeing your demeanor was worth it.”

“You don’t mean that…”

“Why wouldn’t I? I couldn’t very well let you get marriedwithout the perfect dress, now could I? So I called Bonita and told her that if she could get you dressed for a high-profile American wedding, there would be a lot in it for her. That’s the language she really speaks.”

Jamie ignored that. “I mean… you didn’t have to do this because you barely know me. As far as you’re concerned, I’m your ex-girlfriend’s new fling.”

“You say that so flippantly.” Adele put her address book back in her purse. “I’ve told you before. If I thought you weren’t a good match for Etta, I would’ve made that clear from the beginning. The fact I’m bringing you out here should say something, I hope.”

“But… why?” That was the question burning in the back of Jamie’s mind ever since she first met Adele in Etta’s office.

“Why would I like you? I told you that…”

“No. Why did you say no?”

They were silent, Adele absorbing that question as if she weren’t certain Jamie meant what she did. “You mean… why did I say no to Etta’s proposal all those years ago?”

Something was lodged in Jamie’s throat, and it wasn’t her tears of happiness. “I ask because even she couldn’t answer that, you know.”

“I’m sure.” Adele crossed her legs away from Jamie. Here came the wall building between them.I’m so dumb. This woman had gone out of her way to make sure Jamie had the perfect wedding dress, and now that woman was dredging up some powerful memories. Not the fun kind, either.“That was a long time ago.”

“You really surprised her. To be honest, she was a train wreck on the emotional front when I met her. A whole five supposed years after you guys broke up.”

“Like I can take responsibility for her throwing a tantrum because she didn’t get what she wanted.”