on, so they headed to the third store.
Outside the shop, Becks took a deep breath and let it out. “This is so discouraging.”
Laurel patted her on the back. “You’ll find the one. If not this store, then we’ll find another.”
Becks nodded, but Hannah felt her tension as they walked inside.
A salesperson named Sally met with Becks and sat down with her, asking her what she was looking for.
“Not too tight, not overdesigned or ball gowns,” Becks said. “Something . . . I don’t know, me.” She sighed. “I’ve tried on a lot of dresses and just haven’t found the right one yet.”
Sally nodded. “Sometimes it takes a while. How about you wander for a few minutes and see if something sparks your interest?”
“That sounds good.”
They all walked the store with Becks. Hannah saw a lot of dresses she liked, but it wasn’t her wedding, and she wasn’t choosing a dress for herself. This was Becks’s day, so she and Carmen stayed a step behind while Laurel talked with her about some of the dresses.
When Becks stopped at one dress, she looked. She felt. She stared. Hannah could tell that particular dress captured her. And why wouldn’t it? It was a porcelain pink, with tulle and just a touch of lace at the waist. It was elegant but not fussy.
Sally came over. “Would you like to try this one on?”
Becks nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Let’s get you into a dressing room, and I’ll go grab one in your size. Ladies, if you’ll follow me to the seating area.”
They all took seats near the dressing area.
“That dress,” Carmen whispered to them, as if afraid to say anything that might jinx it.
“I know,” Hannah said.
“And that color,” Laurel said. “Could it be more perfect for Becks?”
Hannah sighed. And hoped.
About ten minutes later, Becks walked out, and Hannah swore she was floating as she made her way toward them.
As she stepped up to the three-way mirror and turned, the dress flowed.
And they all gasped.
It was stunning. Becks was stunning. Even without alterations, the dress fit her as if it had been made for her body. And the color—that pale pink porcelain with the ivory overlay—was so unusual, so incredibly beautiful. Hannah didn’t know about the rest of them, but she was utterly speechless.
“What?” Becks finally asked.
“Wow,” Carmen said. “You glow in that dress, Becks.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Hannah said, voicing her thoughts. “It’s like it was made for you.”
Becks chewed her bottom lip, then looked over at Jackson’s mom. “Laurel?”
Hannah saw Laurel batting back tears. “It’s so lovely. You are lovely. How do you feel in it?”
Becks sighed. “Like a freakin’ princess. I love it.”
They all cheered.
Hannah got up and went to Becks. “May I?” She reached for Becks’s hair.
“Of course.”
She dug out the jeweled hair clip she’d tossed in her bag this morning, just in case, and wound Becks’s hair up in it, pulling a few tendrils out to frame her face.
“Okay, now look in the mirror,” Hannah said.
Becks turned around, her eyes filled with tears. “I look like a bride.”
Hannah wrapped her hands around Becks’s arms. “A beautiful bride.”
Laurel and Carmen came over.
“Is this the one?” Laurel asked.
Becks nodded. “Yes.”
Sally smiled. “Lovely. We’ll do some measurements, but we won’t have to do much in the way of alterations once your dress comes in. You look incredible.”
“Thank you. I’m so happy. And so relieved.” She looked at all of them. “I found my dress.”
“One more thing to check off your list,” Hannah said.
“You’re gonna knock Jackson over when he sees you in that dress,” Carmen said.
Becks smiled. “I hope so.”
They took photos, then Becks changed out of the dress and filled out paperwork. They left the store, hugged and everyone said goodbye. Becks had some errands to do for her tattoo shop, and Carmen was going grocery shopping.
“Where are you headed?” Laurel asked Hannah.
“No plans today,” she said.
“Do you have some time to stop for something cold to drink? I’d love an iced tea.”
“Sure.”
They chose a spot, and Hannah followed her to the sandwich shop.
They went inside, ordered two large raspberry iced teas and grabbed a seat.
“That was so fun today,” Laurel said.
“It was. I’m relieved on Becks’s behalf that she found a dress. And such a gorgeous one, too.”
“It was so pretty. I can’t wait for their wedding.”
“I can imagine. Two of your sons getting married so close together. That must be a lot for you.”
“It’s a blessing, really. To see these boys grow up, become such amazing men. Josh and I