The woman stepped over to the rack, sliding the hangers across the metal rod.
“Here we go,” she spoke triumphantly, turning to reveal a ball gown with a sweetheart neckline, the entire bodice completed with sequins.
“Let’s start off with this one,” Lydia suggested, holding the gown out to Rory.
“Okay.” Rory accepted the dress and headed for the changing room. “Mom, can you help me?”
“Of course, sweetie,” Andrea replied, following her into the changing room. Ten minutes later, they emerged.
“What do you think?” she asked, twirling.
The bodice hugged Rory’s chest before flaring out from the waist. The dress was very lovely and fit her well. Still, Andrea didn’t like it, and it was evident that Rory wasn’t fond of the dress either.
“Why don’t you have a look in the mirror first, then you can decide,” Julia suggested.
Rory lifted the hem of the dress and walked over to the mirror. She stood before her reflection, contemplating. Finally, she turned to make her decision.
“Uh-uh,” she shook her head. “I don’t think this will work.” Andrea nodded in agreement.
“No worries. We do have other options,” Lydia replied reassuringly. She pulled another dress from the rack. Rory took it and headed for the changing room with Andrea in tow once more.
When she emerged from the room, the expectant faces fell, a clear indication they didn’t like it. Rory went before the mirror. Her lips dipped into a deep frown.
“You don’t like it,” Lydia concluded the moment Rory turned around.
“I’m sorry, it’s just…”
“You don’t have to apologize,” the woman stopped her. “I always tell my clients that shopping for the perfect dress is usually the hardest part of the wedding preparations.”
“That is so true,” Cora chimed in. “I remember shopping for my own dress all those years ago. I almost cried.”
“You never told me that. How come?” Julia folded her arms over her protruding tummy and stared at her mother.
“I must have visited five different bridal boutiques trying to find the perfect dress, then I found it, but someone beat me to it. I literally broke down in the middle of the room.”
“I remember,” Andrea snorted. “You should have seen your mother, Jules; you’d have thought the world was coming to an end.”
“Hey,” Cora called out, offended. “It wasn’t that bad,” she pouted.
Andrea turned to her niece, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “Your mother wouldn’t leave the bridal shop until the other bride decided to give her the dress.”
“She gave it up because she had another choice that she wanted more, and me wanting that specific dress pushed her to go get it.”
“I would have loved to see you that day, so totally out of control,” Julia mused.
“You wouldn’t have,” Cora returned. Her daughter smiled wryly.
Rory tried on two other dresses, but none of them gave her the desired look she was searching for.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t be of more assistance to you, Ms. Hamilton. We do hope you will find the perfect dress.” Gloria smiled warmly.
“I’m sorry, too,” Rory responded with a sheepish smile.
“Okay, where are we going now?” Cora asked.
“Ballard Avenue,” Andrea replied.
Cora nodded and backed the car out of the parking lot before setting course for their destination. A half-hour later, they were entering Bridal Bliss Boutique.
