"Oh, we have to see." Thrilled with the idea, Emma grabbed Mac's hand and tugged. "Wait, we need champagne. Which Parker would have thought of already."
"Mrs. G will have it up there by now."
"Champagne and a potential wedding dress?" Mac mused. "What are we waiting for? No hurt feelings if I don't like it," she added as they started up the stairs.
"Absolutely not. If you don't it would only tell me how vastly superior my taste is to yours." With the faintest of smirks, Parker opened the door to the Bride's Suite where Mrs. Grady poured flutes of champagne.
"Heard you coming." And she winked at Parker as Mac simply stared at the gown hanging from the hook.
"It's beautiful," Mac murmured. "It's . . ."
"Strapless, which I think will suit you," Parker continued. "And the slight A-line will flatter your build. I know you were leaning toward something completely unadorned, but I think you're wrong. The tissue organza over the silk adds romance, softens the lines. You're angular. And the back?"
Parker lifted it off the hook, turned it around.
"I love it!" Emma pushed forward. "The ruffle train, out of the organza! It's fabulous, just a little flirty. Plus the way it should drape over your butt-"
"Will actually give you one," Laurel finished. "Try it on, or I will."
"Give me a second, this is a moment. Okay, there's the moment." And Mac unhooked her pants. As she stripped down, Emma circled a finger.
"Turn your back to the mirror. You don't want to see yourself putting it on. You want the pow effect once you're in it."
"Dropping your clothes where you stand." Mrs. Grady shook her head as she scooped them up. "Just as you always have. Well, help her into it," she ordered, and stood back, smiled.
"Oh. I'm going to cry." Emma sniffled while Parker fastened the gown in place.
"They didn't have your size, so it's a little big."
"That's what I'm here for." Mrs. Grady picked up her pin cushion. "We'll nip and tuck a bit here and there so it shows better on you. It's a shame you've always been such an ugly thing."
"Insult me, but don't stick me."
"That'll do for now." Mrs. Grady stepped around to fuss a little with the bodice, then reached up to smooth Mac's bright red hair. "We have to work with what we've got."
"Count to three, Mac, then turn and look." Emma pressed both hands to her lips. "Just look at you."
"Okay." Mac took in a breath, let it out, then turned toward the cheval glass where she'd watched so many brides study their reflections. The only thing she could say was "Oh!"
"And that says it all." Laurel blinked at tears. "It's . . . it. You're it in it."
"It's . . . I'm . . . Holy shit, I'm a bride." Mac's fingers fluttered up to her heart as she angled herself. "Oh, check out the back. It's fun, and female, and I do have an ass." In the glass, her gaze shifted to Parker's. "Parks."
"Am I good or am I good?"
"You're the best. This is my wedding dress. Aw, Mrs. G."
Mrs. Grady dabbed her eyes. "I'm just shedding a tear of joy that I won't have four spinsters on my hands."
"Flowers in your hair. A wide floral headband instead of a veil," Emma suggested.
"Really?" Pursing her lips, Mac studied herself, imagined. "That could work. That could work well."
"I'll show you some ideas. And you know, I think with the lines of the dress, I'd like to see a long sweep of a bouquet, probably hand tied. Maybe arm-carried." Emma angled one arm, swept her hand down to demonstrate. "Or a cascade, but with a waterfall effect. Rich, warm autumn colors, and . . . I'm getting ahead of myself."
"No. God, we're planning my wedding. I think I need that drink."
Retrieving Mac's flute, Laurel stepped to her. "It sure looks better on you than any of our old Wedding Day costumes."
"Plus, it doesn't itch."
"I'm going to make you one hell of a cake."
"Oh man, I'm watering up again."
"Turn around, all of you," Mrs. Grady ordered as she took a camera out of her pocket. "Our redhead's not the only one who can take a picture. Glasses up. There's my girls," she murmured, and captured the moment.
WHILE THE LADIES DRANK CHAMPAGNE AND DISCUSSED WEDDING flowers, Jack popped a beer and prepared to fleece friends at Texas Hold 'Em.
And tried not to think about Emma and her latest e-mail.