11. Tessa
T essa stepped into Lumière for the second time that week, inhaling the soft scent of roses and French perfume that filled the boutique. Next to her, she saw Lacey take a deep breath, too, squaring her shoulders as though going into battle.
For some reason, the determination and effort this young woman put into their venture touched Tessa.
With a smile, she put a hand on Lacey’s shoulder and added some loving pressure to not merely communicate her confidence in the younger woman, but her trust, too.
“We got this, kiddo.”
Before Lacey could answer, another young woman came out and greeted them, introducing herself as Akari’s assistant. She offered refreshments and took them to a small but tastefully appointed conference room.
She left them alone, sitting across from each other at a table for six.
“I guess this room is for private planning with brides,” Lacey said.
“Or a place for the girl to have an emotional breakdown.”
Lacey laughed. “Weddings do bring out the worst in some women, don’t they? I guess it’s all the stress of demanding perfection.”
Akari swooped into the room, a vision in deep purple today with her long black hair pulled back into a loose bun.
“Who demands perfection?” she asked, catching the end of the conversation.
“I do,” Tessa assured her as they both stood to greet their potential client. “And we brought it today.”
Akari laughed as they shook hands and exchanged small talk, then she took the seat at the head of the table, with Lacey chatting a little more than usual from nervous excitement.
“I’m so thrilled to see what you’ve come up with,” Akari said.
“We think you’re going to love it,” Tessa said, while Lacey took out her tablet and set it up where they could all see it. “It’s something that will truly capture the essence of Lumière and the joy of a wedding celebration.”
Akari clasped her hands together. “Tell me everything!”
Lacey tapped the screen, as they’d practiced, and pulled up the sketches and mood boards they had created.
“What we want our guests to know,” Tessa started, “is that Lumière isn’t just a store. It’s an experience. Everything about it radiates beauty, elegance, and celebration. And what better way to showcase that than a fashion show that replicates a wedding?”
“I like it.” Akari leaned in with curiosity.
“We want to create a wedding-inspired runway show, set outdoors in the most picturesque location possible. The runway will be a long, elegant boardwalk from a gorgeous beach house, over the dunes of Destin, right to the sands as white as a wedding dress!”
“Oh!” Akari gasped. “A beach event! I’m intrigued. I do so many weddings on the beach, and it truly captures the spirit of this area.”
Buoyed with confidence, Tessa continued. “Think golden-hour light, soft sea breezes, and a stunning backdrop of the Gulf. Guests can mingle on the dune-side seating or watch from the deck of a beachfront mansion that will give them a place to socialize and gather before and after the fashion show.”
Lacey tapped on her tablet, ready to show Akari their mock-up of the venue and event.
“And it won’t just be the wedding gowns,” Tessa assured Akari. “The runway will feature models in your choice of collections, but it will unfold like an actual walk down the aisle, with bridesmaids, groomsmen, key attendants, parents, and, of course, flower girls. Each collection will be showcased, ending with the multiple brides in an array of stunning dresses. Afterwards, we’ll have music, dancing, cake, and opportunities for you to meet one on one with guests and arrange private showings at Lumière.”
Akari pressed a hand to her chest. “I absolutely love it. Not only can we showcase the clothes, but wedding themes, colors, décor.” Then her smile faded. “But, oh, models and a venue—a wedding, if you will—will cost a fortune.”
“Not necessarily,” Tessa said. “Instead of paid models, who are quite pricey, we suggest you use real people. You may have some customers willing to model, but we also have friends of both sexes and a wide age range who’ll do it for free.”
“Music to my ears,” she said. “And…the venue? Rentals are insane this time of year, even if you could find an empty beach house.”
“We have the house—brand new, massive, on the water, and it has a forty-foot boardwalk that was finished last month. If you want, we can identify some rental companies, florists, and food vendors for light snacks, cake, and décor who are willing to work for cost to showcase their wedding offerings, too.”
“Brilliant!” Akari cooed.
“It will be a very reasonable budget, but feel high-end, elegant, and festive,” Tessa said.
“And we have pictures of the Summer House that will be our venue,” Lacey added, clicking to one. “We used AI to show you what the seating and décor could look like. We have multiple ‘wedding themes’ for you to consider.”
Akari leaned in and gazed at the screen, pressing her hands together happily as Lacey switched through various options.
The three women spent the next hour going over details—logistics, music, floral arrangements, and seating, and, of course, budget—until Akari finally let out a satisfied sigh. “Well, in case it isn’t obvious, you have the job.”
Lacey and Tessa smiled at each other and thanked her for the vote of confidence.
“I’d love if you both promise to be a bride—I’d love to see you two beauties in one of my gowns.”
“Oh…” Lacey gave a laugh. “That would be fun.”
“But impossible,” Tessa said quickly. “I’m going to be fifty this year—not bride material—and we’ll be quietly and furiously working the event.”
“I understand, but I have a glorious line just for older brides—a little less youthful and more forgiving, not that you need either one. I would very much like to see someone in your age range.”
“Whatever you like, Akari,” she said, knowing they’d figure something out. “You’re the boss.”
“Good. That’s settled. Let’s make this wedding fashion show happen!”
* * *
When the meeting was over, Tessa and Lacey practically floated out to Grand Boulevard and back to the parking lot.
“You were awesome in there,” Tessa said when they got into the car. “I feel like a proud Mama bear.”
“You ran the show and were amazing.”
“Please,” Tessa scoffed. “I could never have worked that tablet with such ease. Thank you for being such a great member of my team. You made us look totally together.”
“Thank you,” Lacey said, turning to look at Tessa. “Most people don’t share credit the way you do, Tessa. It’s so nice to work for someone who isn’t all ‘me, me, me’ about things. And I say that fully acknowledging that my last boss was my very own father, who loved nothing more than stealing credit.”
“He even credited another designer with your mother’s work,” Tessa noted. “But thank you for saying that. I think it’s more fun to spread the cheer than try to keep it all for myself. And speaking of credit—I am so glad she agreed to just one flower girl, aren’t you?”
“Yes!” Lacey gave a fist bump. “Figsworth will love that. Genius of you to persuade Akari that kids stole the show and were a handful to manage.”
“Both of those things are true, but I really wanted to honor the one who came up with the whole idea.”
“You’re doing such great work on my little cousin,” Lacey said. “I thought all you were going to do was help her read and pass a test to get into third grade.”
“True, but part of that is building self-assurance. I know firsthand that when you have a learning disability, the first thing to go is confidence. You want to turn shy, even if you’re not.”
“She’s not naturally shy,” Lacey told her. “When Nolie was three, she was a bundle of energy and personality, the center of all the family attention at every gathering. Even until she was five or so. But when she got into school and couldn’t keep up with the others, she very slowly started to change. Not get withdrawn, exactly, but not as…bold. Unless you’re alone with her. Then she comes out of her shell.”
“Huh.” Tessa considered that interesting piece of insight. “Did anything else change then?”
“Well, three years ago, when Nolie was four, Maggie moved in with Crista and Anthony.”
“Why did she do that?” Tessa asked. “Does she have health problems and need help?”
“She had a hip replacement—pretty standard. She decided to stay at Crista’s in the downstairs guest suite for her recovery and I guess they all liked her being there enough for her to give up her own home and move in permanently.”
“Are you sure they liked it?” Tessa asked, lifting a dubious brow. “Crista’s terrified of the woman. Maybe Nolie is, too.”
“Everyone’s a little afraid of my grandmother,” Lacey acknowledged. “But she dotes on Nolie—on all of us grandchildren, to be fair. I think Nolie’s shyness is from the struggle in school, and that’s also caused tension in the family.”
Tessa nodded. “I’m sure it has. Poor kid. Dyslexia is kind of swept under the rug, but it messes with you when you feel like you aren’t as smart as everyone else. It chips away at everything—your personality, your self-worth, the way you see the world. That’s why I want to help Nolie. Because if she believes in herself, it will make learning easier.”
Lacey was quiet for a beat. “It sure would have been understandable if you had told my Aunt Crista to take a hike. She was really rough on you when she first got here.”
Tessa shrugged. “I know, but…”
“But underneath that gorgeous exterior is a heart made of putty and mush,” Lacey teased, jabbing her arm playfully.
“Tell anyone and you’re dead.” Tessa winked at her.
“You’re paying it forward,” Lacey mused. “Your dad helped you, and now you’re helping her.”
Tessa tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, thinking. “And we’ve all shoved the accusations about my dad under the rug, which worries me a little.”
“I know,” Lacey agreed. “And things under rugs have a way of tripping you up eventually.”
Tessa threw her a smile. “Pretty wise for twenty-four, Lace.”
She laughed and they talked more about the event, staying on that topic until they pulled into the driveway of the Summer House. Before they could even get out of the car, the front door burst open and Nolie came running out, her hair flying as she threw her arms in the air. “You’re back!”
Tessa grinned, scooping the little girl up as she barreled into her. “We are! And guess what? You, my dear Figsworth, are going to be the star of the show.”
Nolie’s eyes went huge. “I am?”
Tessa nodded. “The grand opening fashion wedding show extravaganza. You’re the featured flower girl. Because it was your idea.”
Nolie squealed, kicking her feet in excitement. “Can we storm our brains some more? I’m so ready!”
Tessa set her down and took her hand. “Absolutely. We need our best team on this. Which means…” She glanced at Lacey. “I think Tessa Wylie Events just gained a third employee.”
Nolie gasped. “Me?”
Tessa laughed. “You, kiddo.”
Hand-in-hand, they walked inside, where the dining room table was already scattered with notes and sketches.
“I thought we were going to bake cookies, Nolie,” Crista said from where she stood in the kitchen with her hands in a mixing bowl.
“You bake, Mommy. We have work to do! Can I write the lists, Tessa?”
“Why don’t you read Lacey’s notes to me?” she replied, coming around the table and sharing a long look with Crista.
Neither of them spoke, but they didn’t have to. They locked gazes, and in that weird space of two seconds…connected.
“Thank you,” Crista mouthed.
Tessa smiled and pointed at the mixing bowl. “I like chocolate chip. None of that oatmeal stuff.”
“Done and done,” Crista said, looking down and fighting a smile.