Page 78 of Follow Your Bliss

“Stop,” I laughed. “You look beautiful, Becca.”

She beamed. “Thank you! Before I forget, I have a big favor to ask. Kimmy got put on bedrest and had to step out of the wedding. I asked a friend of the family to step in—Misty. That’s her, in the orange dress.”

My heart sank as she turned and pointed to Misty, her sleek blond updo like a divine halo blessing her beauty. I maintained my smile, but my insides melted in the sick realization—I was going to have to redo a dress.

“My mom said she’ll pay for the alterations to Kimmy’s dress.”

“Sure, no problem.” Shit on a stick, this sucked. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Thank you!” She grabbed Heather’s arm. “You’ll never believe who else is here…”

Their voices blended in with the rest of the crowd as Becca dragged Heather away from me and Abby, Heather mouthingI’m sorry!

The doorbell rang, and Mrs. Betty opened the door to Mom and Lily. “Dahlia and Lily!” she exclaimed, “Welcome! Come in, come in.”

Mom and Lily hugged her back, then they were all looking at me.

“Rose, dear, I didn’t see you come in.” Mrs. Betty floated over to us and hugged me as I introduced her to Abby. Now that I knew her son so intimately, I saw some of his features in her. His nose was nearly the same nose and his eyes a similar color, although his didn’t have the crow’s feet or the dark circles.

She touched Mom’s arm. “Your daughter is so talented. Has she shown you the designs she came up with for Becca’s dresses?”

Jason hovered nearby, watching us warily as if he thought about joining us. Our eyes met, and he patted his pocket with a smile.

That sexy son of a bitch.

“I saw them,” Mom said, “and thank you. I’m so very proud of her. It’s a good thing Becca caught her before she goes viral. Soon she’ll be too busy to take on local weddings.”

Mrs. Betty looked quizzically between us. “Oh?”

I laughed and laid my head on my mom’s shoulder for a second. “Let’s don’t get ahead of ourselves. PJ Lane wants me to make her bridesmaid dresses, maybe even her wedding gown.”

Mrs. Betty put both her hands over her heart, her mouth open wide. “That’s amazing! What a high-profile client!”

Jason inserted himself into our group, saying hishellosto Mom and Lily. He pulled out his phone. “Yeah, Mom, she’s about to be a rock star of wedding gown designers. I’ve been helping her with her Instagram. You should follow it too! Look at these pictures I took of her in her dresses the other day.”

Mrs. Betty nodded and smiled as she looked at whatever photos he was showing her. He must’ve had a carefully curated selection.

“Oh, this one, Rose dear, of you on the sofa in that bridal gown—simply beautiful. You do beautiful work. So talented and so lovely.”

“Thank you. That’s so kind of you.”

“That reminds me.” She turned her head back and forth until she located her quarry. “Misty! Come see, dear.”

As Misty made her way over, her gaze caught on someone walking. I glanced to see who on instinct, and it was Jason walking away from our group. I smirked. I couldn’t blame her. My boyfriend was hot as fuck.

“Rose, you remember my good friends’ daughter, Dr. Misty Hope. She’s stepping in as a bridesmaid to replace Kim.”

She stuck her hand limply out to me with a snooty smile. “Nice to meet you,” she said, as if we hadn’t met before. Her voice and vapid disinterest were like that of every dance team girlie who’d been a bitch to me in high school.

“Will you have time to rework Kimmy’s dress to fit Misty before the wedding?” Mrs. Betty asked.

No, but that wasn’t the right answer. “I’ll make it work. Can you come by tomorrow so I can measure you?”

“Sure. I’ll come by before church. Here, let me text you so you can send me your address.” Her fingers flew over her phone. “Jason gave me your number.”

“Where’s Becca?” Lily cut in.

“And where do the gifts go?” Mom held up a gift basket swathed in opaque crinkle-wrap that I hoped didn’t contain a bunch of sex toys. Although I had to admit that a “honey-do” shower was the perfect opportunity.

---