“No, but I don’t need one,” I said, feeling slightly embarrassed and very guilty.
All three girls turned to me, mouths agape.
“No!” Cherry said, turning to Kelly. “You’re about Harper’s size. Still have that white silk slip dress from The Great Gatsby?”
“I do!” She gasped. “Oh, that would be so perfect! What size shoe do you wear?”
“Uh, a seven.”
“Oh, phooey!” She said. “Oh well. We’ll work something out. I’ll search Costumes. They won’t even know.” She winked at me.
I couldn’t believe my ears. These women were throwing my fake wedding together in practically no time at all. If I wasn’t so amazed, I’d be ashamed.
“You really don’t have to do all this,” I protested.
Cherry furrowed her eyebrows. “Oh, hush, Harper!” She admonished before slapping me on the rear, making me yelp. “Okay! No veils. Let’s see. Oh! Do you guys remember that feather butterfly fascinator I wore for The Ivories’ photo shoot three years ago?”
“Oh that’s perfect!” Marty exclaimed, hanging up the phone. “The Bowery is all ours for the night, by the way.”
“So are the lights,” Kelly said dramatically, moving to lean against the counter, tossing her cell aside and theatrically placing her arms on either side of her in a very melodramatic pose.
“Are you an actress?” I asked Kelly.
“Of course, honey. It’s the only thing that can explain my odd behavior.”
I laughed into the back of my hand. She was so right and very cute.
“Alright,” Cherry said, her eyes bright, rubbing her hands together conspiratorially. “Cross’s girlfriend, Linda, works at that bakery on Ninth. She’ll whip something up for us. She’s fantastic by the way,” Cherry said, turning to me. “Is there any flavor you’d prefer?”
“I don’t care but I know that Callum’s favorite is lemon.”
All the girls smiled slowly at me. I’d surprised myself with that one, blushing a crimson red.
“Okay, we’ll have to scrounge up a suit for Callum but that shouldn’t be too difficult. Can we think of anything else?” Cherry asked us.
“Flowers?” I said without thinking. I slapped my hand over my mouth, making the girls burst out laughing.
“Tie-Dye Tom has that one,” Marty said absently.
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Yeah, he works in the flower market mornings. That’s his day job. He’s really talented, too. I told him so once and he told me he’d kill me if I ever said anything like that out loud again. Oops.” Kelly giggled and we all followed suit.
“Alright, good work girls. We’ve got a dress, cake, reception venue, pretty lights,” Cherry said, winking at Kelly, “flowers. Marty, who’s that photographer ex of yours again?”
“Oh, Eric?”
“Think you could...?”
“Oh, he’s so there. We’re still friends.” I could also tell she wished it was still more.
“The Bowery will provide the tunes,” she jested, elbowing me softly. “Do you have a song, Harper?”
I was caught off guard to realize that we did. “Please Don’t Go by Barcelona.”
“Oh yeah,” all three girls sighed before bursting into laughter again.
“I’ll tell Van,” Marty said. “Gah! I almost forgot! Van said, as a wedding gift, he’d provide, and I quote, ‘a few morsels and some bubbly’.”