CHAPTER 33 #2
Sara and Mya refilled their champagne glasses, enjoying the back-and-forth between Bronwyn and Jackie as if it were a tennis match.
Jackie rubbed her throbbing temple. “Bron, I don’t need this.”
“Everyone needs love!” countered Bronwyn.
“This cannot be love!” Jackie’s computerized voice boomed. “Love that makes me lose my voice? Love that’s so distracting, I can’t stop thinking about jumping a man’s bones and having the most spectacular sex on my desk?”
“Oh girl! The desk!” squealed Mya. “You are a freaky little thing, Jackie Miles!”
Bronwyn laughed. “True love is never a distraction, babe!”
Jackie unfolded her arms, then typed. “Says the woman who got so distracted by love senior year, she got pregnant. You were short one semester from a chemistry degree.”
“Jackie,” Bronwyn gasped. “That is not fair!”
Jackie and Bronwyn were talking over each other so loudly, with Jackie’s app at full volume, they hadn’t heard Tanika approaching.
Tanika whistled to get everyone’s attention. “Stop it! What are you all fussing about?”
Jackie and Bronwyn turned to look at Tanika, and all arguing ceased. You could hear a pin drop with the silence.
Worried, Tanika rubbed her hands together. “What is it?”
Jackie was almost in tears. She fumbled with her phone to type. “Tanika. You’re breathtaking.”
“This is so…” Bronwyn sniffed. “I have no words.”
“For a change, I’m speechless too,” said Mya. “Boss, Gideon is going to cry.”
Jackie agreed. She typed, “Yep. If I know my cousin, he will weep on sight.”
“Seriously?” asked Tanika. She hadn’t stepped onto the platform to look in the mirror. “It’s just a dress.”
“No, girl,” said Sara, her eyes misty. “This isn’t just a dress. This is the dress.”
All three ladies stood, guiding Tanika to the platform. Jackie spun her around to face the mirrors.
Tanika stared at her reflection, let out a tiny gasp, then covered her mouth. After a few moments, she moved her hands. “I look…I look like a bride. A real bride.” The tears dropped immediately.
The sales associate, who had been so attentive and patient with them during their private appointment, came out and handed Tanika a few tissues. “Isn’t it magnificent? I knew Ms. Ryan would be perfect in this Amsale dress. It’s like it was made for her.”
The off-white, A-line dress had a sweetheart neckline and sheer sleeves that roped around Tanika’s arms like ribbons. It was simple yet interesting. The back showed off Tanika’s deep brown, smooth shoulders above an understated row of buttons. She looked like a dream.
Jackie looked Tanika up and down. It took everything in her not to cry like a baby. Her best friend was getting married to her favorite cousin. Family could be complicated, but this was pure love.
“It’s timeless,” said Sara.
“Classic,” agreed Bronwyn, as she fluffed out the slight train. “Just like you, Tanika.”
“Eat your heart out, Duchess Sussex!” Mya winked, looking at Tanika in the mirror. “You look good, boss!”
Tanika sniffed as she turned to face her girls. “I haven’t been totally honest. The reason why I didn’t want a traditional dress was because I couldn’t share this moment with the one person I always thought would be here. My mom should be here, you know?”
They all nodded sympathetically. Tanika and her mother had been very close.
“But,” Tanika began, a slight smile gracing her face, “I have my girls here. And that means the world to me. Jackie, thank you for convincing me to do this.” Tanika bent down and gave Jackie a hug. “I love you, cousin.”
Jackie let her tears fall, finally. She wiped her face, then typed the all-important question to Tanika. “Okay. So, is this the dress?”
“Yes!” squealed Tanika. “This is the dress!”
The girls erupted in cheers.
The sales associate brought over more champagne. “Congratulations, Ms. Ryan. The Martine looks so good on you.”
Sara sipped her champagne and smiled, but Tanika, Jackie, and Bronwyn froze.
Tanika blinked. “What did you say?”
The sales associate stared, bewildered. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, the name of the dress? Did you say Martine?” repeated Bronwyn.
The associate nodded. “Yes. And it’s the only one we have in the store.” She looked between the trio of teary women. “Oh dear, is this not what you want?”
“Trust me, she wants it,” Jackie added, her heart nearly bursting with happiness.
“Oh my god,” Tanika said, visibly shaking as she ran a hand along the dress. “I guess she was here all along.”
Bronwyn rubbed Tanika’s shoulders. “She really was.”
“What’s going on?” Sara asked.
“Martine was Tanika’s mother’s name,” Mya whispered.
“Oh, how sweet.” The sales associated beamed. “Ms. Ryan, whenever you’re ready, we’ll get your measurements and start the order for your dress.”
“I need a moment,” Tanika said.
“Sure thing. Take your time, ladies.” With that, the sale associate left the women alone.
“Cosmic,” Bronwyn said, squeezing her friend’s hand. “Nothing is a coincidence.”
Tanika finally let out a breath. “Our lives are full of these magical moments, if we pay attention to them. Right?”
“Yep! You have no idea!” Bronwyn said, then winked at Jackie, a sly look on her face. Jackie knew what that wink meant. That was her see, I was right wink. Jackie rolled her eyes and smiled.