Cupcake Explosion (Cupcakes 4)

Amy May started laughing and squealed, “Lila, get off.”

“Oh, sorry,” I said, letting her up. “I can’t believe this.”

“Neither could we,” she admitted. “Jason and I hadn’t planned on having any other kids. It just . . . happened.”

“Probably on one of your freaky role-playing nights,” I joked. “You got so caught up in being someone else, you forgot the no glove, no love rule.”

“Congratulations,” Carmen said, hugging Amy May’s shoulders, all awkward like, with her butt sticking out.

“You’re not going to hurt the baby by hugging her, you know,” I told Carmen.

Carmen blushed and shrugged.

“I haven’t been around many pregnant women.”

“Ladies, are we ready to begin?” the dress shop attendant called and I stood up.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, then moved to follow her.

The plan was that I’d try on dresses, then come out and show my friends, who would help me decide which one to choose by using a rating system.

Since I was already two champagne glasses in, I needed all the help I could get.

Once we were in the dressing room, I looked at the dress she had waiting and pursed my lips.

“I don’t know, that looks kind of princessy to me,” I said. “I was thinking of something a little edgier.”

“Just try it. If you don’t like it, no worries, we have plenty more for you to pick from.”

I shrugged, figuring she was the expert, even though the big flouncy dress in front of me made me a tad skeptical.

I took off my clothes, then put on the dress with the attendant’s assistance. I wasn’t supposed to look until after the girls had seen it, then I would turn in the mirror for the big reveal.

A little silly, maybe, but I was still girly enough to enjoy the production of trying on wedding dresses.

“Here’s the first one,” I called before entering the room and stepping onto the stage. “I know it’s over the top, but she said there’s edgier stuff back there.”

When no one answered, I looked up at my friends to find them all watching me, eyes wide and mouths open.

“What? Do I look like I’m going to prom?” I asked.

“Turn around,” Amy May said softly.

I spun slowly, my eyes latching first on the big flowing skirt, which almost looked like it was made of meringue, it was so sweet and delicate. The waist was fitted, as was the bodice, and was beautifully beaded. The front was heart shaped and the straps were thin like spaghetti.

“Oh my gosh,” I breathed, my eyes filling with tears.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Carmen said, stepping up on my right.

“It’s perfect,” Amy May agreed from my left.

“Gorgeous,” Bea murmured, catching my eyes in the mirror.

I smiled at my friends, then looked back at my reflection and thought, Shit, Bran was right, I’m going to have to keep working on my arms.

“SO, WE’RE GOOD to meet Carmen for coffee tomorrow at nine?” I managed to ask Bran as I squeezed out another rep of curls.