Bed of Roses Page 0,42

it appeals to you. I just wanted to mention that before Seth comes back. Something you can think about."

"I love it! Mom?"

"My mother will be a puddle. So will I. I love it, too."

"We'll talk about it in more detail when we do our individual consult. Meanwhile, when you select the dresses for the bridesmaids, if you can get pictures then I can get copies made or you can scan them and send them in an e-mail so I can see what kind of flowers she chose for them."

Emma handed the photo back to Mandy. "You'd better put that away."

"Mac, why don't you give Mandy an overview of the photography?"

"First, I want to duplicate the pose in your grandmother's formal portrait. It's classic and gorgeous. But tonight, we should talk about what you'd like for your engagement portraits."

They moved from stage to stage, step to step, with a rhythm they'd developed over the years. As they discussed photography, cakes, food, Emma jotted down key words that would help her create a picture of the bride, the groom, and what they envisioned.

And if her thoughts veered in Jack's direction a few times, she reminded herself she excelled at multitasking.

By the time she and her partners walked the clients to the door, she was ready to duck out and see if Jack had answered her e-mail.

"Good job," she said. "I'm going to go home and start a file for the event. So - "

"There's something else," Parker interrupted. "When I was at the boutique today, I found Mac's dress."

"You what?" Mac blinked at her. "My dress?"

"I know you, and what you're looking for. And since it was right there, saying I'm Mac's, I used our connections and brought it home for approval. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought at least you'd want to try it on."

"You brought home a wedding dress for me to try on?" Eyes narrowed, Mac pointed at Parker. "Aren't you the one who's always telling brides they might try on a hundred dresses before they find the one?"

"Yes. You're not most brides. You know immediately what works and what doesn't. If it doesn't, no harm done. Why don't we go take a look? It's up in the Bride's Suite."

"Oh, we have to see." Thrilled with the idea, Emma grabbed Mac's hand and tugged. "Wait, we need champagne. Which Parker would have thought of already."

"Mrs. G will have it up there by now."

"Champagne and a potential wedding dress?" Mac mused. "What are we waiting for? No hurt feelings if I don't like it," she added as they started up the stairs.

"Absolutely not. If you don't it would only tell me how vastly superior my taste is to yours." With the faintest of smirks, Parker opened the door to the Bride's Suite where Mrs. Grady poured flutes of champagne.

"Heard you coming." And she winked at Parker as Mac simply stared at the gown hanging from the hook.

"It's beautiful," Mac murmured. "It's . . ."

"Strapless, which I think will suit you," Parker continued. "And the slight A-line will flatter your build. I know you were leaning toward something completely unadorned, but I think you're wrong. The tissue organza over the silk adds romance, softens the lines. You're angular. And the back?"

Parker lifted it off the hook, turned it around.

"I love it!" Emma pushed forward. "The ruffle train, out of the organza! It's fabulous, just a little flirty. Plus the way it should drape over your butt - "

"Will actually give you one," Laurel finished. "Try it on, or I will."

"Give me a second, this is a moment. Okay, there's the moment." And Mac unhooked her pants. As she stripped down, Emma circled a finger.

"Turn your back to the mirror. You don't want to see yourself putting it on. You want the pow effect once you're in it."

"Dropping your clothes where you stand." Mrs. Grady shook her head as she scooped them up. "Just as you always have. Well, help her into it," she ordered, and stood back, smiled.

"Oh. I'm going to cry." Emma sniffled while Parker fastened the gown in place.

"They didn't have your size, so it's a little big."

"That's what I'm here for." Mrs. Grady picked up her pin cushion. "We'll nip and tuck a bit here and there so it shows better on you. It's a shame you've always been such an ugly thing."

"Insult me, but don't stick me."

"That'll do for now." Mrs. Grady stepped around to fuss a little with the bodice, then reached up to smooth Mac's