Love on Beach Avenue (The Sunshine Sisters #1) - Jennifer Probst Page 0,19
scent of cherry blossoms. With her sophisticated silver hair in a tight chignon, the carved classic features of the former prima ballerina still held a jarring presence that hadn’t left with age. Vera’s birdlike frame was dressed in a tight black dress with a long strand of pearls looped twice around her swanlike neck. Her long fingers fluttered in the air, the flash of a fat diamond ring and matching tennis bracelet a symbol of her success. At seventy-eight years old, Vera had lived a life of glamour—a lead dancer at the Metropolitan who then retired to open up her own bridal shop by the beach. She was an inspiration to Avery, and a reminder that you were never too old to pivot and claim success on your own terms.
“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Avery said, smiling. “How did you manage to squeeze in a vacation in the middle of rush season?”
Vera’s laugh tinkled like scattered glass. “Darling, you never say no to Paris. Besides, I was able to steal a few special gowns that aren’t available in the States yet. Now, who are you here with today? Are we doing the full treatment?”
“Yes, she’s my best friend. Ally Ross. She’s coming with her brother.”
“How lovely! I do adore when a man is involved as long as he doesn’t act like an ass. I’ll get champagne set up in fitting room three. Ring me when she arrives and we’ll have a chat.”
“Thank you.”
A few minutes later, Ally walked in, features flushed with anticipation and the buzz of nerves every prospective bride experienced. Carter towered from behind, dwarfing the space. Avery noticed a few women stop and stare, his dynamic presence like a vibration in the room. As usual, his lips were tight in disapproval, like he’d already found a dozen reasons not to like her choice of bridal salons.
Trying not to roll her eyes, she went over to greet them. “Welcome to Vera’s! We’re all set for dressing room three, so I can lead you back. Or if you’d like, feel free to poke around and explore a bit before we settle.”
“It’s a bit small, don’t you think?” Carter asked.
“Small but mighty,” she chirped back, flashing her brightest smile. “Vera is a legend and can help us find the perfect dress.”
“How interesting,” he drawled. “What makes her a legend?”
She kept her tone cool and professional. “Besides being a famous prima ballerina who traveled all over the world, she learned how to sew from her grandmother, who worked at Dior. Vera has consulted with the top designers and is on call for the queen.”
Ally widened her eyes. “Of England?”
“Correct.” She shot Carter a look. “Hopefully that’s a solid-enough résumé.”
Ally clapped her hands. “It is for me! I can’t believe I’m the actual bride—I feel kind of giddy.”
“Good, I want you to be excited and enjoy yourself.” She whipped out her iPad and tapped to the screen of Ally’s preferred styles. “I already gave Vera an initial list of gowns to pull, especially strapless ones with an A-line skirt that you seem to like best. Let’s have a quick chat with her first, and then we’ll get started. I’ll go grab her.”
Ally and Carter wandered off to investigate. Vera was engaged deeply in conversation with a client, so Avery made the signal they were ready and began pulling a few dresses from the list that incorporated the features her friend liked. She hummed under her breath, flitting through the racks with an expertise that rivaled Vera’s attendants. She loved helping pull wedding dresses and assisted Vera with many of her brides.
Avery hung the dresses in the fitting room, and they gathered together for the initial chat. Vera poured champagne, and took a few minutes getting to know them both, her easy charm allowing Ally to relax while she sipped her bubbly.
“Avery picked out a few dresses to start us with based on the pictures you liked, but I want you to know bridal shopping can sometimes be frustrating. Many brides see something in a picture, but it doesn’t look like they imagined on them. Let’s use this time as a journey to explore and have fun figuring out what you like. We’ll find the right dress, but why rush through the experience feeling impatient and desperate?”
“I know we don’t have the normal time schedule, though,” Ally said. “Will that cut out a lot of my options?”
“I’ll make sure to only show you dresses that don’t have to be special ordered.