James cringed. “Mom, leave her alone. Margot is beautiful and she can eat what she wants. How would you like it if I said something like that to you?” He hated that sometimes his mother made comments like that about Margot. It wasn’t right as far as he was concerned.
“Thanks, Jimmy,” Margot said and hurried out of the room, their mother right behind her. James hoped it was to apologize for what she’d said.
* * *
James pulled into the parking lot of the bridal shop a few minutes before ten, sliding into a parking space. He turned off the engine, but the car still vibrated from Holly bouncing her legs. “I appreciate you coming with me.”
Daniel turned in his seat. “This is supposed to be fun, not nerve-wracking, honey.” They held hands a moment, and Holly seemed to calm somewhat. The three of them got out and approached the door of the shop as the woman inside was opening up.
“Clare, this is my brother, James, and his girlfriend, Daniella. They’re here for moral support.” Clare greeted both of them, ushering their small group into a mirrored area at the back of the store.
“It’s a pleasure to meet both of you,” Clare said. “Please have a seat, and Holly can come with me. I have the dress all ready for her to try on.” She swept into the back with Holly, and James settled on the sofa.
“How much of what you told Mom this morning was the truth?” James had wanted to ask earlier, but they hadn’t been alone.
“I sassed it up a bit for your mom’s benefit, but basically it’s true. I dated both those guys and many more. Losers beat a path to my door.” Daniel colored under his makeup, and James growled.
“You deserve a lot better than that.” He held his jaw rigid, wanting to take all those guys to task. Couldn’t they see what a wonderful heart lay under the makeup and clothing?
James’s anger completely derailed at the earsplitting howl that grated up his spine from the back room. He jumped to his feet with Daniel right next to him.
“Holly, who died?” James called.
She stepped out, tears running down her cheeks. “What happened?” Daniel asked, rushing forward. The dress hung on Holly, practically falling off her shoulders.
“It’s too big.”
“We ordered the size your mother told us to,” Clare explained, and Holly went off again. James figured they were lucky all the glass in the front of the store didn’t shatter. As it was, James wondered if his spine was ever going to be the same. Then the tears started again, this time deep, wrenching sobs.
“Can we fix it?” James asked.
Clare’s complexion had paled by at least three shades. “We can make basic alterations, but our senior seamstress is on maternity leave. This was a special order and it was delayed.” She looked heartbroken. Holly was devastated, her makeup running down her face. James pulled Holly into a hug to try to comfort her.
“Where’s your sewing area?” Daniel asked.
“It’s in back,” Clare answered.
“Take me there,” Daniel demanded, and Clare didn’t argue, the two of them leaving the room.
“It’s going to be okay,” James told Holly.
Holly pulled back, her face a mess, and seemed two seconds from slugging him. “How in the fuck is this disaster ever going to be all right?” She lifted the dress. “It’s at least a full size too big. What size is it?” She turned and James read the label.
“A ten,” he read.
“Make that two sizes too big. What the hell did Mom think was going to happen? Why would she do this to me?” Holly alternated between explosion and tears. Not that James could blame her for either one.
“Okay,” Daniel said, returning with a stool. “Holly, step up there. James, walk to that coffee shop a few doors down and get us all lattes. We’re going to need plenty of fuel.”
“What can I do?” Clare asked.
“Just stay out of the way.” Daniel began pulling the dress this way and that, tugging it together in the back as James made for the exit. “Does your mother have a sewing machine?”
* * *
James carried the cup tray in one hand as he cautiously pulled open the door to the shop, expecting yelling, tears, or something in between, but it was quiet. Daniel stood behind Holly, still working on the dress, pinching and tucking fabric, adding pins and marking the fabric with chalk. James handed each of them their coffee and then took a seat in one of the chairs off to the side, checking email and messages on his phone.