Page 105 of Sunsets at the Beach House

“I was going to work on some dinner,” Trina said. “But I can try my dress on if you want, Mimi.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Willie said. “Neither of your dresses needed alterations and I can still remember how beautiful you both looked.”

Roxie got up. “No dinner for me. I need to get ready to meet Ethan. I’m eating with him.”

“Oh, right,” Willie said. “The jazz concert. All righty, you go have fun. And I know I already said it, but your hair looks great. Trina, you did a bang-up job.”

“Thanks, Mimi.” She smiled at Roxie. “It’s so pretty it makes me want to go rose gold.”

Roxie touched her newly lightened strands. “I couldn’t be happier with it. I can’t wait to see what Ethan thinks.”

“He’ll love it,” Willie said. “Bet you a dollar.” She went back to her room to change and hang her dress up. But this wasn’t a one-person dress. She called out, “Trina, I might need you to unzip me.”

“Coming,” Trina called out. She showed up a few seconds later. “Here.”

Willie turned so she could access the zipper. “How was your day, my girl? Did you give Miles a haircut?”

“I did.” Trina got the zipper down. “Alex, too. I was thinking about making some tuna melts for dinner. Does that sound okay to you? Or do you want something else?”

Willie held her dress in place as she turned back around. “Tuna melts sound wonderful.”

Trina smiled. “I’ll go get started on those.”

She closed the door as she left, leaving Willie to finish changing. Willie wiggled out of the dress and laid it on the bed. Then she reached around and undid the long line bra she had on. Not the most comfortable item of clothing that she’d ever worn, but she’d only have it on for the wedding and reception. She’d manage.

She changed into one of her comfiest nightgowns, stuck her feet into her slippers, and returned to the living room. Roxie was in her bedroom getting ready and Trina was in the kitchen, mixing up the tuna fish for the sandwiches.

Willie went to her chair. “Can I have chips with mine? And one of those nice pickle spears?”

“Sure, Mimi. You want something to drink while you wait?”

“Maybe a soda. What do we have?”

Trina opened the fridge. “There’s some diet A&W root beer, some diet Dr Pepper, and plain tonic water.”

“Tonic’s no good without gin and I don’t want to drink anything tonight. I’ll have a root beer.”

“Coming right up.” Trina grabbed a can, filled one of their big tumblers with ice, then poured the soda in and brought it over. “There you go.”

“Thanks.” Willie took a sip, then turned the television on. “Maybe we can find a movie to watch.”

“I’d love that. Whatever you pick is fine with me. I have a few things to go over on my laptop for the salon tomorrow, but it won’t take me more than ten or fifteen minutes.” She went back to the kitchen and turned on the oven’s broiler.

Willie looked through the different streaming services they had and found one of her favorite movies, Pillow Talk. “Here we go. This is a good one. Doris Day and Rock Hudson. Boy, was he a looker.”

Trina laughed. “Are you cheating on Cary Grant?”

“Cary wouldn’t mind. Even he probably thought Rock was hot.” Willie hit Play, then Pause so the movie was ready to go. She didn’t want to start it until Trina had finished in the kitchen and was able to join her.

While she waited, Willie picked up her phone and sent Miguel a message. I had the most wonderful time today. I love my ring. And I love you.

He sent her back a smiley face and a heart. You are my everything, my love. I cannot wait to make you my bride.

One more day, she answered.

Si, one more day.

She smiled at the screen, completely filled with how wonderful her life was. She looked at Trina, working away in the kitchen. She prayed that someday, Trina found the same kind of love and happiness with a man that Willie had with Miguel. Same for Roxie. Whether that meant Miles and Ethan or whoever. She just wanted her girls to know this feeling.

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