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“Same,” I say, laughing.
“I love this,” Sofie says, her smile so wide. “I cannot wait to see them all.”
“You’re the easiest bride ever, Sof,” Scarlett says. “Has anyone broken the agreement and tried on a dress?” She looks around the table.
“No! We agreed to wait until we were all together to try them on,” April says.
“You look guilty.” Holly points at Scarlett.
Scarlett’s eyes go wide. “No, I havenottried on either dress and it’s been torture!”
We all laugh and look slightly guilty ourselves. I’ve almost tried my dresses on at least twice since they started arriving.
“I can’t wait to see your dress, Sofie,” I say. “The pictures Scarlett’s been sending in the group chat look incredible.”
“It’s not quite finished yet, but it’s close enough for her to try on today.” Scarlett makes an excited face as she tilts her head from side to side.
* * *
The highlightof the day is when Sofie tries on the dress. It’s exquisite. Champagne lace with bell sleeves and a low neckline that fits Sofie so perfectly, it’s a dream. She looks like a bohemian fairy.
I decide to return only one of my dresses and keep the other two—the prettiest one for the wedding and the sexier one for Vegas. Something I probably never would’ve considered if I hadn’t tried everything on with the girls.
By the end of our trying-on session, Grinny and the girls have talked me into going to Vegas.
“I’d be absolutely thrilled to watch Dakota. We can do a trial night before you go, if that will make you feel better,” Grinny says. “And if anything at all came up, we have pilots that work at the lodge that could come pick you up, right, Scarlett?”
“Absolutely. George is a gem,” Scarlett says.
I already knew Sofie was special, but I thought for sure that a little weirdness would come up between the group at some point. Weddings can bring out the worst in people, and any time females are thrown together, I’ve found it to be volatile.
Or maybe that’s just my experience from being in pageants.
And dance.
And high school.
“Do y’all really treat each other like this all the time?” I ask as we’re changing into the clothes we arrived in.
“What do you mean?” April asks.
“I haven’t picked up on any jealous vibes or any of that competitive crap I’m used to…I mean, Sofie’s not that way, but she’s…Sofie. She’s the best person I know.”
Sofie smiles at me. “You’rethe best. And yep, we do treat each other like this all the time. Well…I’ve been away for a long time, so if they’ve had any cattiness while I was gone, I don’t know about it.”
Scarlett laughs. “Having four older brothers, I was so happy to be around other girls, I never thought to be jealous or competitive. And growing up, Grinny and the Golden Girls were always the best examples of women loving and supporting other women.”
“It must have been wonderful to grow up here together,” I say wistfully.
“It took you a while to believe I genuinely liked you,” Sofie says, using my shoulder to balance as she puts her shoes on.
“You were such a surprise,” I admit. “And now all of you are. I realized a little bit ago that I keep holding my breath, waiting for a backhanded compliment or a snarky comment to sneak through here and there, but y’all just keep being great.” I laugh and they do too, but I feel the need to explain myself. They’ve opened up to me so easily, and I want to let them know why it could seem like it’s taking me longer to be as open. “My mom put me in pageants my whole life, and there were times it was brutal.Everythingandeveryonewas a competition. And if I met someone that it seemed I could be friends with, my mom forced it into a competition. I’ve told you about some of it,” I say to Sofie, “but I’ve tried to forget most of it.” I make a face and my nose starts to burn when tears well up. “I’m just really glad to be here.”
The next thing I know, I’m surrounded in a group hug, Grinny and the aunties included.
“We’re so glad you’re here,” Scarlett says. “It’s felt like you’re one of us from the day I met you.”
“I know, it really has,” Holly says. “And now you’re not getting rid of us.”
