But when Amy put on dress number three, she knew she had a winner. The collar wasn’t too confining, and it was decorated with the perfect amount of jewels so she wouldn’t have to wear a necklace. The bodice was slightly formfitting where it needed to be, and the rest of the gown was flowy and comfortable.
When she came out of the dressing room, Laura grinned. “That’s the one.”
Amy nodded, turning around in the three-way mirror to see all angles. “I feel like a princess.”
“You look like a queen.” Laura got up from the chair and stood beside her. “Max is going to flip when he sees you.”
Her cheeks pinked. “I don’t want him to flip.”
“Are you sure?”
She stared at the mirror, unable to answer. Now that she had the dress, she couldn’t deny the anticipation threading through her. Or the happiness. She’d never worn a gown this fancy or expensive, and that included her wedding dress. She’d opted to go with a simple white sheath with no train or veil. That wasn’t out of the ordinary these days, but back in the nineties, she was an anomaly. Considering how bad her marriage had been, she was always grateful her parents hadn’t blown a lot of money on the ceremony.
“Let’s get this puppy and go find you some shoes,” Laura said.
Amy faced her. “I’ve got some black pumps at home.” Then she almost laughed at her friend’s appalled expression.
“Pumps? Absolutely not. You’re getting some strappy sandals with no less than a three-inch heel.”
“My feet will hurt all night.”
“And it will be worth it. Now march in there and get dressed. We have more shopping to do!”
After finding the perfect pair of pain-inducing heels and getting Laura’s hearty approval, Amy purchased the dress and shoes, trying not to throw up at the sight of the final bill. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And as Laura kept telling her, she rarely treated herself and had never splurged like this.
“I can’t wait to hear what Britt thinks of your outfit,” Laura said as they left the shop and walked into a wall of Texas heat.
Amy pressed her lips together.
Laura cast her a side glance, and when they reached the car she said, “You’re going to show her the dress, right?”
“Um... I haven’t told her about the party.” She unlocked the doors, opened the back passenger side, and hung the garment bag on the hook. “Or about Max.”
“What?”
Amy quickly slid into the front seat and started the engine.
Laura’s eyebrows had shot up almost to her hairline. “You haven’t told her?”
“No.” Amy put the car in drive and backed out.
“Why on earth not?”
“Because I don’t know where this thing with Max is going.” She avoided looking at Laura as she drove out of the lot.
“You’ve been out twice, and he invited you to a fancy-schmancy party. I think it’s going well.”
“Two dates don’t define a relationship. I’m just being careful.”
Laura leaned back against the seat. “I’d understand that if Britt were a kid. She’s twenty-eight, though. I’m sure she’d be able to handle it if you and Max didn’t work out. I think she’d be mad that you didn’t tell her about him when you first met.”
Amy didn’t want to consider that Laura might be right. But she couldn’t go against her mama bear instincts. Britt wasn’t like other kids. She never had been. And Amy was aware of the judgment she occasionally got from others about her twenty-eight-year-old daughter still living at home. But Britt couldn’t even go shopping without stressing out about being in public. How was she supposed to live on her own?
“I’ll tell her after the party,” Amy said. “If Max and I are still seeing each other at that point.”
“I don’t know why you’re waiting—”
“Laura, I know what I’m doing.”
