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I sat in the front window seat at home, staring into space, trying not to think at all, when I saw Mom pull up in the driveway. She had been down at the haven again, spinning her design magic. The McGinty house had already started to transform—at least on the inside. The outside would always stay spooky, to keep out inquisitive neighborhood kids.
“Alex!” She called for me as soon as she opened the door. “I got the final photos of your wedding dress—oh, there you are.” She walked into the living room and dropped her huge tote bag next to the sofa. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”
“Yeah.” Just incredibly overwhelmed.
Mom sat next to me on the window seat, one hand rubbing my back. “Talk to me.”
“I’m so scared, Mom. What if I’m lousy at the marriage thing? What if I—disappoint Sam?” I needed to talk too much to be embarrassed.
“You love each other. You’ll find your way, Alex.” She wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me in. “Your father was my first. My first serious boyfriend, my first real kiss, my first everything.”
I lifted my head. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” She smiled, studying the front lawn. “We managed to do just fine.”
Normally, that would have been too much information, but I was honestly relieved to know that Mom understood.
“Thanks, Mom.” I snuggled into her embrace, aware that our lives were about to change dramatically. Again. Then her announcement registered. “You have photos of my—dress?”
This wedding was still hard to wrap my mind around, and I had the feeling it wouldn’t be real until I actually had the dress on.
“Stay right here.” Mom let go of me and strode over to her tote bag, pulling out a big manila envelope.
My heart started pounding; this was the most important dress I would wear, ever. I had the designer style it after classic dance dresses, with a fitted bodice and full, calf length skirt. In white velvet. Simple enough—I hope.
“Come over to the sofa, Alex. We’ll have more room to spread them out here.”
I joined her on the long sofa, tried not to twist my fingers around each other as she removed the photos from the envelope. She studied the top photo for so long I knew something was horribly wrong.
“Mom?” She handed the photo to me without a word. I swallowed, braced myself, and turned it over. “Oh,” I whispered. Tears stung my eyes. “It’s perfect.”
The dress hung on a dress dummy, and was as simple and elegant as I’d prayed it would be when I requested it. The seamstress had added a line of tiny, iridescent buttons on the tight lower sleeve, from wrist to elbow. When Mom handed me a back view of the dress, I saw the same buttons, starting at the low back and ending at the bottom of the v’d bodice.
With our Southern California winters, she’d chosen a lightweight silk velvet, and it shimmered, catching the light. I couldn’t believe I was going to be wearing that dress.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Mom wiped her eyes. “It’s absolutely stunning. Sam won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
That was the plan—dazzle him with the dress, so he didn’t see my nerves. If the reality was as good as the photos, I’d accomplished my goal.
“I—I love it, Mom.” I looked up at her. “When am I supposed to go in for the fitting?”
“Tomorrow.” Mom brushed hair off my cheek. Since Misty had started giving me hairstyling lessons—yes, hairstyling, stop laughing—my wild hair has been easier to tame. “I thought you could invite Misty. Her maid of honor dress is ready, and we can have a girl’s day.”
“Sure.” I could never refuse Mom when she asked for a girl’s day. With a tomboy as a daughter, she’d spent years waiting for just this. “Why don’t you call Misty and invite her.”
Her eyes lit up, and I knew I’d made the right suggestion. “All right.”
I managed not to look surprised that she had Misty on speed dial. With all the planning, it made sense. It was just—odd, that my best friend and my mom were phone buddies.
Misty’s excited shriek could have been heard by my neighbors. I smiled, trying not to dread the outing, because I knew it would end up at the mall—my personal nightmare.
It was going to be a long day.