Page 86 of Born to Make You Smile

I followed her up to her childhood bedroom. It looked exactly the same as when we were teens with the charcoal-gray walls, fuchsia pillows, and throw blanket. Shimmery gold decals behind her bed, her name in cursive, and a princess crown on top of theD.

She opened my gift first. It was nothing special. Three new thriller novels and a vanilla fig candle. “The woman at the bookstore helped.”

“Grace. Thank you! I love them. I can’t wait to dig in.” She put the novels on her bookshelf and the candle on her dresser. Then she came back to the bed, holding a red box with a silver bow.

“Here!” She clapped and bounced on the bed excitedly. “Open it!”

As I unwrapped the gift and opened the box, I caught sight of what was under the delicate white tissue paper.

I couldn’t breathe.

The black gown. In my size.

“Dor.” Emotions hit me all at once, and my tears welled. “I can’t…this is too much.”

I reached out and hugged her tight.

“It’s nothing,” she said into my hair. She pulled back and held my hands. “Youneedthis dress. For as long as I’ve known you, you always treated me like a princess. Now it’s your turn.”

TWENTY-SIX

I watched the weddingguests arrive, their low chatter barely audible over the soft music of the string quartet in the corner. The church was gorgeously decorated with cream floral arrangements in tall vases.

The groom, Theo, stood tall, shifting his weight from side to side, patiently awaiting his bride.

“I still can’t get over how beautiful you look,” Gavin whispered. His jaw about fell to the floor when he first saw me in the black gown. Apparently,I took his breath away.

My eyes went to Gavin, dashing in his black tuxedo and bow tie.

I leaned close. “You know, you look just like James Bond.”

He smiled smugly. “Look? Perhaps I really am.”

I bit my lip, holding back a giggle.

“That bracelet looks divine on you,” he murmured.

I ran my finger along the surface. The multitude of diamonds sparkled, reflecting the sunlight from the stained-glass windows. I still couldn’t comprehend the price. I’d never owned a piece of jewelry this expensive and extravagant before, and it continued to fill me with discomfort.

“Thank you.” I pressed my lips together, hiding any hesitations.

We all rose to stand as the string quartet played “Canon in D.” Kira walked down the aisle, arm in arm with her father.

The stunning bride was draped in a simple white A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline and lace sleeves, her long black hair pinned in a neat updo.

The couple incorporated many cultural traditions into the ceremony and reception. There was a beautiful sake-sharing ceremony to honor Kira’s Japanese heritage, as well as Greek music and dancing for the groom’s side.

There was an assortment of food at the buffet—cabbage pancakes, tempura, gyoza, lamb skewers, stuffed grape leaves, and spanakopita. I had to hold myself back, or I would surely burst out of my beautiful dress. Not to mention, I had to squeeze into my maid’s costume later. A tight knot in my belly made me shift in my seat. I had no idea how I was going to duck out of here early.

As we had dessert, I kept my eye on the time. It was eight. I had two hours, minus the ten minutes it’d take to get to X-PLORE from here. Plenty of time. I was tempted to cancel, but I’d already given Ashna my word. She needed me, and I desperately needed that extra cash.

“Care for a dance?” Gavin asked, then whispered, “Surely I’m permitted to dance with my wonderful assistant.”

“Of course.”

We held one another with a good distance between us and began to move to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” As much as I wanted to, I resisted resting my face on his chest.

“So. I’ve been doing some thinking,” he murmured as we swayed. “I thought maybe we could slowly start telling people. Start with the office. The girls. Then eventually, my family.”

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