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“Why not?” I said, offering my glass.
“You’re not driving, are you?”
I shook my head and she poured the last of the bottle into my glass while I waited for Stephanie to emerge from the dressing room. Finally, I heard curtains rustling and she stuck her head out.
“Okay, I’m serious this time,” Stephanie said excitedly. “I think this is the one.”
“Show me, then.”
Steph took her time making a dramatic entrance, but when she did, I actually gasped.
“Wow.” I clasped my hands over my mouth. “Steph, you look so beautiful.”
She really did. Yes, the dress was still very sparkly and had a huge, full skirt, but it was also somehow still tasteful. But, most importantly, my sister looked so happy wearing it. I could easily picture her walking down the aisle toward Maya wearing this dress.
“You really like it?” she asked.
“I really do,” I told her sincerely. “Oh my God, you look…”
“I know.” She gave a little twirl and smiled brightly. “It’s a little over budget, but…”
“Let me buy it for you,” I insisted. “I wasn’t sure what to get you and Maya for a wedding gift anyway. I’d love to do this for you. It’d be my honor.”
She scrunched up her face. “Someone’s been hitting the sauce.”
“I’m not drunk, Steph,” I told her. “I want to do this for you. That dress is beautiful and I know it would make you happy. Please let me give you this.”
“Cindy.”
“I insist. Not to mention that it would make shopping for your gift a hell of a lot easier.”
Steph took another look at herself in the full-length mirror. There was no denying that this wasthedress. She was radiant in it. And she couldn’t stop smiling.
“Thank you, Cindy,” she said, happily rushing into my arms to hug me before turning to Judith. “This is the one. We’ll take it.”
Stephanie changed back into her street clothes and talked with Judith about alterations and whatnot while I handed my credit card over to the man at the register. When she returned, Stephanie was walking on air as we headed next door to a cafe for lunch.
A waitress came by to drop off our coffees. I jumped on mine, hoping it might counteract all the champagne.
“I don’t think I can thank you enough, Cindy,” she gushed, opening the menu.
“Don’t. I’m happy to do it.”
“Well, I appreciate it. And I know Maya will too. I can’t wait for her to see me in the dress.”
“As I said, I’m happy to do it.”
As I sipped my coffee, Stephanie caught my eye and looked at me curiously.
“You are, aren’t you?” she asked. “Happy, I mean.”
I didn’t even have to think about it.
“Yeah, I’m really happy these days,” I told her. “I’ve made a lot of important decisions.”
“Well, I’m glad for you. Even if I have a feeling that a lot of that has to do with Luke Kane.”
“Not totally,” I said defensively. “Luke has a lot to do with it. But not in the way you’re thinking.”
