Page 42 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

“I don’t want to get her hopes up.”

“Just be honest. That’s all you can do.”

They got out of the car and walked through the high Spanish archway of the building. The motif and open-air layout of the two-story apartment complex was so different than the multistory walkup apartments where she lived in the city.

Julie led her to Lindsey’s second floor apartment and knocked. She opened the door right away, a big smile on her face. “Hi, girls! Come in, please. Thanks so much for coming, Taylor.”

“I’m happy to do it.”

“I have wine and chocolate for us. I hope you don’t mind but I invited Nicole to join us. Thought we’d have a little impromptu wedding-party party.”

“Are you kidding? This is great. It’s Miguel’s turn for poker night. He’s having a guys’ night and so, it’s only fair, we have a girls’ night.”

“I’m game,” Taylor said. It gave her one more excuse not to work on her résumé.

Nicole walked out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of assorted cheese and crackers. “I brought snacks too.”

“Nicole, good to see you again,” Taylor said. “And thanks for this.”

Julie echoed her comment. “Yes, thanks for everything, you guys.” She gave both the girls a hug. “You treat us so well.”

“So, what first?” Lindsey asked. “Want some wine?”

Taylor piped up. “I think I’d like to see your gown first. Before the vino goes to my head. Is that okay with everyone?”

The girls all nodded. “Okay, we’ll put the wine on hold,” Lindsey said. “I’m kind of nervous and excited about this anyway. Should I try the dress on for you?”

All three girls chorused, “Yes!”

And then they all laughed.

“Have a seat, you two. Nicole, would you mind helping me?”

“Not at all,” Nicole replied.

She and Lindsey stepped into the bedroom while Taylor and Julie took a seat. Minutes later, Lindsey walked, or ratherflowedinto the living room, showing off her gown. “This is it,” she said, barely containing her joy. There was just something about a woman in an ivory wedding dress that made her feel like a princess.

“Stunning,” Taylor said. “I love the cap sleeves and the sweetheart neckline. The satin suits you.”

“It’s truly beautiful, Lindsey,” Julie added.

Nicole held a large piece of a wedding veil in her hands. “I agree, of course. Lindsey, you look amazing. Maybe Taylor can figure out how to add your grandmother’s veil in.”

“Yes, what do you think?” she asked, handing her the voile and lace material. “It’s been ripped, that’s why I only have half of it. So it’s useless as a veil, but I wanted to keep my grandmother’s memory alive somehow.”

Taylor studied the piece, looking at it and then at Lindsey’s dress. She sat quietly for a moment, three pairs of expectant eyes watching her. Her mind began churning out ideas, one after another, and once she’d exhausted her supply, she closed her eyes envisioning the dress with her best option. “Okay, I have an idea, but it requires cutting most of the veil. Lindsey, your dress is simple in design, the folds of gorgeous satin making the key statement, so if we added a little something to it, it wouldn’t be an eyesore and the veil is just ivory enough for it to work. How would you feel if I made an underlay of your grandmother’s veil around your cap sleeves? I could stitch it from underneath and either pleat or drape it, depending on what you’d prefer. You’d see an inch all the way around. And if you like that idea, I might just have enough material left over to do the same around the hem of your dress. It would have to be hand stitched as well, but I think I could do it. Here, let me show you.”

Taylor demonstrated her idea, using the material and walking Lindsey over to the hallway mirror, showing her how the sleeve would look. “What do you think?”

“I think…yes! I would love that.” Tears welled in Lindsey’s eyes and she reached over to give Taylor a big hug. “Thank you. This is very,” she said, her voice breaking, “important to me. So, yes, to the sleeves and the hem.”

“Well, then,” Nicole said. “Now that it’s all settled, it’s time for wine and chocolate.”

“That’s right,” Lindsey said. “Give me a minute to change and we’ll have our party. In Taylor’s honor.”

“Me?” She pointed to herself.

All three of the girls looked at her with hero worship. She wouldn’t lie, it felt good. Real good.

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