“OKAY, CAN I just get this out of the way so we can put it behind us and focus on Lila and finding the perfect gown?”
Everyone looked to Amy May, who’d gone to stand on the small stage in front of the mirror.
We were all sitting on the couches in the lounge area of the bridal shop, where, no kidding, they had champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries set out for us.
When Bea, Carmen, and I stopped talking and nodded, Amy May took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry. I know I completely overreacted about you guys being in Coffee and Books, and the way I stormed in there and started yelling was not only embarrassing, but ridiculous. Then, to make matters worse, I did what I always do, and I crawled into my shell to stew and ignored all of your calls and texts. So, I want you to know that I’m sorry, and that I reacted that way partly because of everything that’s going on in my life right now, and maybe, just maybe, I was also a teensy bit jealous.”
Carmen and Bea both stood up from the couches and went to hug Amy May.
We’d already had our moment, so I stayed seated and continued to enjoy my champagne while I watched them make up.
“What’s going on that’s stressing you out, hon? Is it the new storefront?” Carmen asked as she sat back down.
“Partially,” Amy May admitted, then took her seat and said, “The rest I’ll tell you guys later. Today is about Lila.”
“Wait, the rest?” I asked, latching on to what she’d said. “What rest? Did something happen with Cynthia?”
I looked to Bea and Carmen and explained, “She already went and apologized to Cynthia, who pulled her aside to ask her something.” I turned back to Amy May and asked, “So what happened with that?”
Amy May gave me an exasperated look, probably because she wanted the focus on me instead of her, but . . . too bad.
“Her baker got hired on somewhere else, so she asked me to start making the pastries for her shop. She’ll give me full credit, let me advertise the bakery, and said she’ll let all her clients know what I offer.”
“Wow, that’s great,” Bea said, leaning back with a grin.
Amy May nodded in agreement.
“And, the extra work is stressing you out?” Carmen pushed.
“No, not really. I have Jordan helping me out, plus the new staff for the storefront, so I don’t think we’ll have any issues with a little extra production.”
“So, something else is going on . . .” I prodded.
Amy May let out a sigh and said, “You guys aren’t going to let this go, are you?”
We all shook out heads.
“Fine. I’m pregnant. That’s why I’ve been short-tempered, tired, and sick.”
My eyeballs popped out of my head.
“What?” I screeched, jumping up and tackle hugging her on the couch.
“Don’t crush her,” Bea said.
“Let me in there,” I heard Carmen say behind me.
Amy May started laughing and squealed, “Lila, get off.”
“Oh, sorry,” I said, letting her up. “I can’t believe this.”
“Neither could we,” she admitted. “Jason and I hadn’t planned on having any other kids. It just . . . happened.”
“Probably on one of your freaky role-playing nights,” I joked. “You got so caught up in being someone else, you forgot the no glove, no love rule.”
“Congratulations,” Carmen said, hugging Amy May’s shoulders, all awkward like, with her butt sticking out.
“You’re not going to hurt the baby by hugging her, you know,” I told Carmen.
Carmen blushed and shrugged.
“I haven’t been around many pregnant women.”
“Ladies, are we ready to begin?” the dress shop attendant called and I stood up.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, then moved to follow her.
The plan was that I’d try on dresses, then come out and show my friends, who would help me decide which one to choose by using a rating system.
Since I was already two champagne glasses in, I needed all the help I could get.
Once we were in the dressing room, I looked at the dress she had waiting and pursed my lips.
“I don’t know, that looks kind of princessy to me,” I said. “I was thinking of something a little edgier.”
“Just try it. If you don’t like it, no worries, we have plenty more for you to pick from.”
I shrugged, figuring she was the expert, even though the big flouncy dress in front of me made me a tad skeptical.
I took off my clothes, then put on the dress with the attendant’s assistance. I wasn’t supposed to look until after the girls had seen it, then I would turn in the mirror for the big reveal.
A little silly, maybe, but I was still girly enough to enjoy the production of trying on wedding dresses.
“Here’s the first one,” I called before entering the room and stepping onto the stage. “I know it’s over the top, but she said there’s edgier stuff back there.”
When no one answered, I looked up at my friends to find them all watching me, eyes wide and mouths open.
“What? Do I look like I’m going to prom?” I asked.
“Turn around,” Amy May said softly.
I spun slowly, my eyes latching first on the big flowing skirt, which almost looked like it was made of meringue, it was so sweet and delicate. The waist was fitted, as was the bodice, and was beautifully beaded. The front was heart shaped and the straps were thin like spaghetti.
“Oh my gosh,” I breathed, my eyes filling with tears.
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Carmen said, stepping up on my right.
“It’s perfect,” Amy May agreed from my left.
“Gorgeous,” Bea murmured, catching my eyes in the mirror.
I smiled at my friends, then looked back at my reflection and thought, Shit, Bran was right, I’m going to have to keep working on my arms.