“Yes, a little nervous. That’s all.” It takes everything I have not to break.
Tasha, sensing the moment, gestures around the room. “These gowns are unreal. The photos didn’t do them justice.”
“I agree, Ms. Hiroshi is incredible.”
“Gracie’s been sewing since she was a child,” Rosa says fondly.
Lia returns with our drinks, and Tasha leans toward her. “Slow day today?”
“Not at all,” Lia replies. “We do one appointment at a time. It’s part of the experience.” She hesitates. “You must know Ms. Hiroshi personally. I’ve never seen her come in on her day off.”
Tasha whispers to me, “Or your mafia kingpin fiancé threatened to introduce her to the Hudson River.”
I can’t help it; a snort escapes me. Tasha bumps my shoulder. “That’s it. That’s the expression I want you to have during this appointment.”
Heels click across the floor. I turn to see a petite Asian woman with smoky eyes and dusty pink hair approaching. She resembles Lucilla just enough to be unsettling, but where Lucilla is guarded, this woman radiates sharp warmth.
“Hello, Aria,” she says. “Cyan’s told me so much about you.”
Before I can reply, Gabriel barrels forward and lifts her clean off the ground. “Gracie, bébé. What, no hello for me?”
“You slut,” she laughs, swatting him. “I’m trying to maintain professionalism here.”
“Aria doesn’t need you to pretend. When she met me for the first time, she nicknamed me the manwhore.”
“At least she’s observant,” Gracie shoots back, making me like her even more.
“Gracie, you wound me.” Gabriel clutches his chest in mock devastation.
Tasha, sipping her champagne, adds. “She just calls it like she sees it. My girl Aria ain’t no fool.” Tasha already knows Gabriel’s mafia alias is ‘The Angel’ because I filled her in during our flight. She agreed with my manwhore assessment.
“Hey, Gracie, Gabriel isn’t the only one here, you know,” Jake cuts in.
“Yeah, but I saw you a month ago when I visited Mom and Dad.”
“Shhh,” Jake presses a finger to his lips.
Gabriel smirks. “Little brother you’re sneaking around with Gracie behind Thomas’s back? Oh man, he’ll beat the shit out of you when he finds out.”
“It’s not like that, you ass. I handle all of her online web stuff. I’m her website designer, you fool.”
Gracie’s expression darkens. “Utter that name in my presence again, and I’ll snap your cock off, making you to a eunuch.” Gabriel raises one hand in surrender, steps back, while clutching his crotch with the other.
“Apologies. Apologies.” He even pretends to zip his lips shut.
“It’s about time someone got him to shut up,” Johnny laughs. “You’re looking good, Gracie.”
“The kid! You’re all grown up.” She nudges Johnny’s arm. “What a difference ten years makes. Now you’re taller than I am.” Johnny grins and kisses her cheek.
“It’s because of you that the nickname stuck.” Gracie claps her hands.
“Alright, boys, time to go.”
“What? Why?” Gabriel protests.
“One,” she puts up one finger, “it’s Aria’s appointment, and you’ve already monopolized enough of her time. Two, you gossip like old ladies and will blab about the dress to Cyan. So, bye. Get out.” The tiny, pink-haired woman escorts them out before they can protest, slamming the door behind them.
“I like her,” Tasha whispers in my ear, grinning.
