We’re locked in a group stare like it’s not super suspicious and rude that we’ve been in here for Lord knows how long.
Plus, there’s a foot-long gap under the dressing room door, so I know she sees five pairs of feet. Well, four since Morgan’s are resting in peace under Georgia’sBridgertonball gown.
“Uh… The dress was giving Morgan a hard time, so we were helping her, but we finally got it now. We’ll be out in two shakes,” I say.
Three minutes later, the Sister Circle is seated again. Ace is sitting on Chiara’s lap with his iPad. The champagne glasses are topped off, and resting on a silver platter, and Monica and I with our fans in hand, are poised and ready to say yes.
As planned, sadly, dress three is a no-go. Which, as it turns out, so are dresses four through six. Chiara and Seneca don’t seem surprised, considering tea-length has already been established as not the best fit for this occasion. But dress five was Morgan’s ace in the hole. The regal, high-neck lacy dress, a la Beyoncé and baby Blue Ivy forVogue? It was supposed to be her failsafe worth seven other nos.
THEdress.
Except it’s giving tissue caught in a net.
Morgan’s lips quiver as she turns on the platform.
I catch her glassy stare.
“We’ve still got two more,” I say, encouragingly. “I don’t want to toot our horns or anything, but Victoria and I are known for our style.”
Chiara giggles.
“Darling, you’d be beautiful in anything,” Victoria says. “However, Avery has made a great point. There are two beautiful gowns left. All you need is one.”
Morgan nods obligingly.
As Shanice helps with the train, back to the dressing room, I fish out my phone.
Shoot, twelve forty-five, already.
At the rate this two-hour appointment is going, even if somehow, the next dress is “the one,” it’ll be one o’clock. What am I going to do, say, “Hooray, you found a wedding gown, now wrap it up because I’ve got to get Ace some lunch, and get you home for a ChatVideo with Stefano at two?” What if she doesn’t find one?Tough luck. Let’s go. Time’s a-ticking.
I’ve got to push back the meeting with him.
Hi Stefano, I’m still at the dress-shopping appointment, and I’ve got to grab lunch for Ace and get Morgan back. I’m worried I’ll be late for our 2:00 meeting. Are you available later this afternoon or tonight? I could do 4:00 or 6:30. Let me know. Thanks.
In my periphery, Morgan sashays toward the platform in the sweeping, strapless, white lace and organza trumpet dress that Victoria selected. It looks amazing on her, sculpting her curves, and against her rich brown skin… She’s a goddess.
If anything, Georgia’s teetering cry-face should be the dead giveaway.
“There’s the smile I’ve come to know and love.” Victoria beams.
Except, tears are contagious.
The fans raise in quick succession. As do the happy waterworks.
“Yasss!” Monica croons, teary-eyed. “We love it, and we say yes to that dress, queen! You know you better…”
Shanice helps Morgan onto the platform.
Beneath her big watery brown eyes, we’re graced with a full-tooth grin, her trademark red lips stretched from ear to ear.
Soon, Seneca has her phone out with Lil’ Mo’s song, “4Ever” blasting through the speaker. Champagne glasses in hand, Monica and Valerie start dancing. Then Chiara takes Ace by the hand and joins them, and it finally feels like a celebration.
Even Victoria and Georgia push to their feet, choked up but joyous.
“I love it!” Morgan yells, respectfully low. “Yes, to this dress!”
Again, a place of business with other customers.
