“You often have gatherings like this?” I smile at them, and Ava chuckles.
Summer purses her lips. “Only if our brothers piss us off or if we’re celebrating something.”
“I have an idea.” Pippa points at me. “Can you bring out some dresses before we start drinking?” Turning to the other girls, she explains, “Nadine designed the dress she’s wearing herself. She’s crazy talented. I suggest we each try one.”
The others nod enthusiastically, and I know I have what each of them needs. I disappear between my dresses, and everyone cheers when I return with them.
“Let’s try them on,” Summer says, rising to her feet.
“I only have two changing rooms, but you can take turns.”
In fifteen minutes, everyone’s ready. They twirl and laugh, complementing each other. I’m the only one who hasn’t joined in the fun, mainly because I’m too busy trying not to tear up. Seeing my designs on actual people feels surreal.
“This is gorgeous,” Ava gushes. “I can’t wait until you start working on my wedding dress.”
“Nadine, I love this dress,” Summer announces. “I want to wear this to my gallery show at the end of next week. As a matter of fact, I want all of you to wear these dresses to the show.”
“What?” I ask, my mouth suddenly dry.
“Summer is used to our brothers doing whatever she says,” Pippa says. “Alice and I usually don’t but, this time, I have to say I agree. These dresses are fantastic.”
“We’ll buy them,” Alice says, incorrectly interpreting my expression.
“No, I’ll be happy to gift them if you want to wear them to the gallery. That would be excellent marketing.”
“We’ll buy them,” Pippa says firmly.
Ava pulls me to one side. “First rule of business: don’t gift your products, not even to friends.”
“All right, people, we have our dresses.” Alice puts her hands on
her hips, mimicking model poses. “I say we change back into our clothes and open that wine.”
“Can you shorten my dress a few inches?” Summer’s dress is the only one that doesn’t fit perfectly since she’s so petite. Dazzled by the fact that I made my first four sales, I nod, afraid that if I speak, I’ll tear up.
“Okay,” Pippa says. “Out of the dresses, in with the wine.”
Said and done. Fifteen minutes later, the girls are back in their clothes. Alice pours wine for everyone, and Summer plays some music on her phone. Within minutes, there is an energetic party vibe in the shop.
“Are you designing the bridesmaid dresses too?” Alice asks me.
I turn to Ava. “I don’t know. Am I?”
“I don’t want to take advantage of you, since you have a lot on your plate. But I’d love it, of course.”
“How many bridesmaids will you have?”
“Twelve.”
I do a double take. “What?”
“It’s our fault,” Pippa chimes in. “We have a few cousins who have to be in the wedding and a few of the adopted Bennetts too.”
“Will Caroline be one of the bridesmaids?” Summer asks with wide, hopeful eyes.
“Why do you want to know?” Alice teases. “So you can run and tell Daniel?”
Summer purses her lips but doesn’t deny the charges.