Page 56 of Hats off to Love

Molly, having known me for almost half my life, sees that I need a little saving—well, maybe a lot—and steps in.

“Isn’t it just beautiful? I’ve loved watching her build this dress. Every day it came together a little bit more, and I’m not going to lie, I’m jealous you get to wear it and I don’t.” She grins at Avery.

“It’s almost too pretty to wear,” Avery says as she runs her fingers over the feathers of the hat and then picks up the crystal-covered sash.

“Nonsense,” Molly declares as she walks to Avery and stands next to her. “The world needs to see you in this. It was made just for you.” She grins proudly. “How about we go ahead and show you how each part connects, how to put it on and take it off, and how the detachable skirt works. We’ll also see if it needs to be tightened or loosened anywhere.”

“Maybe Ash is right about the cupcakes.” Avery glances at Emma and then my way, her eyes wide. “I probably should lay off them until after the gala.”

“You’ll be fine,” I tell her, my voice squeaking out as my heart rate starts to come down. “With the corset tie in the back, we can make it as tight or as loose as you need.”

She looks back at the dress and lets out a deep sigh. “Well, that’s a relief.”

“All right, let’s get started,” Molly says, clapping her hands together. “Can I get you some tea?” she asks Avery and Emma. She carefully lifts the matching hat off of the mannequin and moves it to the other one I have set off to the side. I know we didn’t discuss this, but I went ahead and made Ash a black and silver feather vest and bowtie.

The hat, along with the dress, is to me a complete work of art. I worried a bit that it might be a little too avant-garde with the way it sits on her head and the shape, but then again, part of the roaring twenties was known for glitz and glamour. I designed this hat to enhance the natural beauty and lines of Avery’s face, not cover part of it, and it flows seamlessly over one shoulder and her back, down to the dress. It’s as if the dress doesn’t stop at her breast line; it just keeps on going and going, wrapping her in decadence. Silver feathers, Swarovski jewels, and an iridescent fabric shaped like the bubbled waves of the skirt—this is me being a true milliner, a true creator.

“I’d love some iced tea if you have that,” she replies as she watches Molly closely.

“Of course. Today we have orange blossom, and it’s divine. I’ll grab glasses for you, Emma, and Blair, and I’ll be right back.” She scurries off, leaving Avery, Emma, and me standing together.

“You know, it’s quite possible you become my new dressmaker.” She smiles broadly. I smile back and think how crazy it is that dreams do come true.

“Mine too,” Emma says with wonder.

My cheeks flood with heat, and I’m certain they aren’t just pink, they are beet red.

As I begin to break down the dress and how each part connects, Avery pulls Emma in a little closer to watch.

“Are you going to the gala too?” I ask her.

“Oh, no. I’ve been appointed as her official lady’s maid. I’m going to be helping her get ready.” She laughs.

“Whatever,” Avery fires back. “It’s not like going to Nashville is a burden for you,” she teases, and this time it’s Emma who turns pink.

Interesting. I haven’t heard about any love connections with her, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have one.

“Here we go,” Molly says, bringing a tray of drinks to the table with the cupcakes. I see she’s included glasses for the two of us also. “These are unsweetened, but we have all kinds of sweeteners here for your choosing.”

“Perfect and thank you,” Emma says.

Both of us move to the table. I pick up my glass and take a long pull on the cool drink.

Get a grip, Rosie, I tell myself, and then I take a deep breath.

Smiling at Avery, I remove the skirt from the mannequin and send her off to change. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take us very long to teach her how to don the pieces. The fit is perfect, and as she stands up on the pedestal in front of the three-way mirror, I almost forget to breathe. It’s one thing to make something; it’s another thing entirely to see it on someone else, and this is so much more than just a hat.

Be still my heart.

Whipping around, Avery looks at the four of us, her eyes finally landing on Blair. “What do you think?” she asks.

Blair steps away from the door and moves more toward the center of the store to get a better look. It’s so easy to see the friendship between them, and Blair gives her a breathtaking smile. “What do you think?” she asks instead of answering.

Avery’s eyes drift back to mine. “I think it’s perfect.”

My eyes burn again, and this time I let them. I feel no shame in being proud of what I created.

A moment of silence passes over our group, and then quietly from the door, Blair says, “I think jaws are going to drop.”