Chapter Eleven
The door to the bridal boutique swung open, revealing a cheerful brunette with a red-lipsticked smile. “Welcome to the Little White Dress! I’m Gabby and I’ll be taking care of you. Now, who is our bride?”
“I am.” Mei grinned at Ali, her mom, and Kaia. She wasn’t used to calling herself a bride.
“Congratulations!” Gabby ushered them into a reception area with blush-pink sofas. “We’ll get started in a minute.”
“Do you know what you’re looking for?” Vivian asked, giving Mei’s arm a squeeze.
“Kind of.” Mei held out her phone so her mom could see the photos she’d saved. The brides wore tailored jumpsuits with asymmetrical necklines or lace details. Others donned red jersey dresses. “Lucky red,” she said, citing the Chinese tradition.
“I like the red,” Kaia said.
“I do, too.” Mei patted her niece’s cheek. “Joey’s worried his parents won’t approve of any of those outfits. He doesn’t want to upset them even more.”
“Since you’re not getting married at their church?” Ali asked.
“Yeah.” Mr. and Mrs. DiGiacomo were practicing Roman Catholics. They were disappointed when Mei and Joey had told them they were having a small civil ceremony at a restaurant, instead of a traditional religious ceremony at the DiGiacomos’ parish church.
“It’s your day, not theirs!” Ali said. “Wear whatever you want.”
Mei chewed her lip. Joey had held firm about their wedding venue choice, shielding Mei from his parents’ chilly treatment. She didn’t need to rock the boat again. “I’ll find a nice white dress. Something my style.”
Gabby reappeared and led them to the showroom. As Mei sifted through the racks of soft white fabric, her spirits rose. Everything the Little White Dress carried was elegant, yet understated—just what she wanted for her big day.
Under the changing room’s flattering light, Mei stepped into a simple maxi dress with cap sleeves.
When she looked in the mirror, her eyes widened.
The dress elongated her petite figure. The deep V neckline accentuated her shoulders.
Mei swept her hair into a loose bun, then turned from side to side, taking in her reflection from every angle.
She was the picture of a beautiful bride, nearly unrecognizable to herself.
“Do you need help?” Ali called.
“Nope!” Mei took a deep breath and smiled at the mirror. Then she drew back the curtain.
Ali and Vivian gasped.
“You look amazing!” Vivian dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
“Mom, you’re going to make me cry,” Ali said as she snapped photos.
Mei laughed at the lump in her throat. “You’re both making me teary! I think that’s my cue to try on another dress.”
The next hour passed in a flurry of lace and silk. Mei tried on dress after dress, but none came close to the first. “That’s the one.”
“Okay, great.” Ali and Vivian exchanged impish smiles. “We’re buying your dress! We’re not taking no for an answer!”
Mei’s jaw dropped. “No way.”
“It’s Chinese tradition.” Vivian gripped her arm. “You’ll have bad luck if you don’t let us pay.”
Mei burst out laughing. “Nice try! You’re making that up.”
“I told you she’d never fall for that.” Ali flashed a determined grin. “Can you watch Kaia while we talk to Gabby? We’re getting your dress. End of story.”
“Fine.” Mei rolled her eyes with exaggerated irritation. “But you really shouldn’t.” She pulled her mother and sister into a hug.
As she was putting on her shoes, Kaia ran in.
“Aunt Mei!” Kaia grabbed Mei’s hand. “I found your dress!” She led her to the boutique’s small collection of colorful frocks. Mei hadn’t even looked at them.
“Here.” Kaia nudged the edge of a red gown.
Mei pulled out the dress. Her breath caught. The top was a simple cheongsam, the bottom a soft tulle skirt, all brilliant red. The effect was sophisticated and romantic. Chinese and American.
“Are you going to get it?” Kaia asked.
“Maybe for my next wedding.”
Kaia’s eyes went round. “You’re having two weddings?”
Mei snapped back to attention. “No, I was only kidding.”
She trailed her hand over the mandarin collar and delicate red buttons.
A scene unfolded in her mind. She was stepping into the sunlight on a small roof deck.
Her vibrant red dress reflected the joy and certainty in her heart.
Sunshine obscured her husband-to-be’s face, but she could feel the delicious warmth radiating from him, his grin mirroring hers.
He didn’t have Joey’s height. Nor his broad shoulders.
He was shorter and trimmer, with tousled brown hair.
As Mei approached, he turned toward her, his intelligent eyes shining with happiness.
Mei dropped the hanger.
She scrambled and caught the dress before it hit the floor.
“There you are! Oh wow.” Ali came up behind her, followed by Vivian and Gabby. “That dress! It’s gorgeous.”
“It’s a beauty,” Gabby agreed. “Willow Wu is the designer. She’s a local, born and raised on the Lower East Side. Her line reflects her Chinese American heritage.”
“She sounds like us!” Ali turned to Mei. “Are you going to get it? Or at least try it on?”
Mei ran her hands over the silky fabric. She took a breath, then shook her head. “I’ll stick with my original pick.”
“Yay!” Ali wrapped her arms around her. “You have your dress!”
Vivian hugged the two of them, then pulled Kaia in.
“Congratulations,” Gabby chimed in over their laughter.
As they walked out, Mei ignored the tiny pang in her chest as she bid the beautiful red dress goodbye.
· · ·
At a popular New American brunch spot down the block, Mei scanned the oversized menu. “It’s not too early for a cocktail, right?” She couldn’t shake the scene she’d envisioned at the bridal boutique.
“You just found your wedding dress. That calls for a toast,” Ali said.
When their beverages arrived, they clinked their drinks together. Mei gulped her mimosa with relief.
“Mommy.” Kaia shook Ali’s arm. “How many weddings did you have?”
“One. I had one wedding to Daddy.”
“Aunt Mei is having two!” Kaia announced, looking at Mei, then Ali.
Mei coughed. “At the shop, I told Kaia I was going to wear that red dress to my second wedding. I was just kidding.”
“Aunt Mei is having one wedding to Joey,” Ali told Kaia. “She was joking about two.”
“Oh.” Kaia turned to Vivian. “How many weddings did you have, Grandma?”
“I actually had two. One, a long time ago, to your grandfather, who is no longer with us. And one, just before you were born, to Grandpa Henry.”
Kaia covered her mouth with glee. “Wow, two weddings!”
Mei stared at her menu. She’d never asked how her mother had felt about marrying their father.
Had she gone into her first wedding full of misgivings but hoping for the best?
Or head-over-heels in love, blissfully unaware of how her marriage would devolve?
As much as Mei tried, she couldn’t remember her parents ever being happy.
A suffocating tension had filled the room anytime they were together, her father drunk on whiskey and anger, her mother fearful of igniting his temper.
“What’s everyone getting?” Mei asked. “I’m debating between the spinach Benedict and the lemon ricotta pancakes.”
“Let’s split them,” Ali suggested.
“Do you need any help with the wedding?” Vivian asked after they placed their orders. “I can send you favor ideas or make menu cards. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Mom, but we’re actually in good shape.”
Ali raised an eyebrow. “Wedding Wednesdays?”
“Yes! Joey chose a place for the rehearsal dinner and made a lunch playlist. I had to remove some songs that were too weird, but still.” Mei smoothed the napkin on her lap. “He’s even been coordinating with all the vendors outside of Wedding Wednesdays.”
“Wow, good job, Joey!”
A swell of pride ran through Mei as she smiled at her sister and mother. Joey was stepping up, just like he said he would.
· · ·
After the delicious brunch, Mei and Ali hugged Vivian goodbye, then walked to a nearby park to wait for Luc. They found a bench in the shade with a good view of Kaia on the playground.
“What was Luc doing today?” Mei asked.
“He and Alexandre were in Brooklyn. They stopped by two boutiques that carry his furniture, then got pizza.”
“Alexandre?”
“Yeah, he came along.”
Mei eyed Ali. Maybe now was her chance to confide in her. But what would she say? I love Joey, but I’m having weird thoughts about your husband’s brother.
“The guys are here.” Ali waved toward the entrance.
Mei looked up. Luc and Alexandre were walking over. Alexandre’s eyes were bright. He looked relaxed in navy shorts and a sage button-down with the sleeves rolled up. He was more handsome than Mei remembered. The scene from the wedding shop played through her mind.
It was just a ridiculous thought. It doesn’t mean anything.
Still, her heart thumped and her mouth felt dry as she raised her hand in greeting.