“Yes. My wife is so excited to meet you.” He searched the room, finally calling out her name. “Erin! She’s here.”
The most beautiful young woman rushed my way, beaming with excitement. “You’re Gabi?”
“I am.”
“Ooo, we need to talk!” She threw her arms around my neck and gave me a big hug. “Bella showed us your designs, and I can’t wait to talk to you about my gown for the Academy Awards. Do you have time to make it between now and then? I know how busy you are, since your line took off and all.”
I could hardly catch my breath to answer. “Once the Christmas rush is behind me, I’ll be fine. I have a lot of winter brides.”
“You’re going to have a lot of brides, period. Your dresses are gorgeous.” She put her hand on my arm. “And speaking of which, I hear you’re getting married in June. Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” I could hardly believe she knew . . . or cared. But from the look of zeal in her eyes, I could tell her words were genuine, heartfelt.
“We can talk after the show tonight,” Brock said. “Want to come back to Bella and D.J.’s place? We’re spending the night with them.”
“Bring your fiancé,” Erin said. “We’ll play games or something.”
Um, okay. Hanging out at Bella and D.J.’s with Brock Benson and his wife. Playing games. Talking dresses.
“I’d be honored,” I finally managed.
“No, I’m the one who’s honored.” Erin gave my neck another squeeze, then flitted off to chat with one of the other dancers. She turned back to me and hollered, “See you after the show!”
Off in the distance, the orchestra warmed up, and the director popped his head in the room to say, “Three minutes to curtain call.”
“Guess that’s my cue.” Brock reached to take my hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Thank you so much, Gabi. You’ve made Erin’s night, and nothing makes me happier than seeing her smile.”
“I have no doubt she’ll be the best-dressed woman at the Oscars,” Bella chimed in.
Brock and the others headed to the stage, and I tagged along behind Bella to the auditorium to join our families, who had already taken their seats. When I saw Jordan, I could hardly wait to tell him everything.
Settling into the seat next to him, I was scarcely able to get out a word. The orchestra stopped playing their warm-up and then dove in to the first song with a robust beginning. The curtain opened and Brock stood front and center, all of the other dancers beside him.
Jordan leaned my way. “What was it like?” he whispered. “Meeting a star, I mean?”
I turned to face the man I loved, my heart overflowing. “There’s only one star in this room, you goober. And he happens to be seated right next to me.”
“Good answer.” Jordan flashed a smile and reached for my hand. I offered it willingly and then nuzzled up against him, overcome with joy.
Together we turned to face the stage . . . cheek to cheek.
Gabi’s Top Ten Fred and Ginger Quotes
I don’t care what the critics say. My fabulous mom will give me a good review if nobody else does.
Ginger Rogers
Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.
Fred Astaire
When you’re happy, you don’t count the years. Beauty is a valuable asset, but it is not the whole cheese.
Ginger Rogers
When I was working with Ginger, it was like heaven on earth. She had all the talent anybody could have.
Fred Astaire
Even when one is of a certain age to make one’s own decisions, there are many times when it is great to be able to go back and talk it over with the people one loves—one’s family.
Ginger Rogers
I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around.
Fred Astaire
The most important thing in anyone’s life is to be giving something. The quality I can give is fun, joy, and happiness. This is my gift.
Ginger Rogers
Ginger is the most effective performer I’ve ever worked with. Ginger’s a salesman. She can sell it. She’s a showman and an actress. She’s quite unique. She’s amazing.
Fred Astaire
I`m most grateful to have had that joyous time in motion pictures. It really was a Golden Age of Hollywood. Pictures were talking, they were singing, they were coloring. It was beginning to blossom out: bud and blossom were both present.
Ginger Rogers
Believe me, Ginger was great. She contributed her full fifty percent in making them such a great team. She could follow Fred as if one brain was thinking. She blended with his every step and mood immaculately. He was able to do dances on the screen that would have been impossible to risk if he hadn’t had a partner like Ginger—as skillful as she was attractive.
Edward Everett Horton
Acknowledgments
To my mom, Shirley Moseley, the best seamstress I’ve ever known. You are a whiz behind the sewing machine! If I had half of your talent, I would spend my days putting together gorgeous dresses like Gabi.
To my agent, Chip MacGregor. We’re a little like Fred and Ginger, aren’t we? We’re quite the team. I know that you’ve been my “better literary half” (and have certainly offered me ample opportunities to dance). For that, I’m eternally grateful.
To my amazing team at Revell—Jennifer Leep, Michele Misiak, Jessica English, Donna Hausler, Erin Bartels, and all of the hard-working folks on the sales team. How can I ever thank you for taking me under your wing? I’m so thrilled to be a member of the Revell family.
To my precious critique partners—Janetta Messmer and Virginia Rush. You save my neck every time!
To my Weddings by Bella readers. Without you, this series would not have been possible. Thanks for asking for more! What a blast to keep Bella’s story going.
Most important, to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without you, there would be no stories to pen.
Award-winning author Janice Thompson enjoys tickling the funny bone. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage, and she has published nearly one hundred books for the Christian market. She has played the role of mother of the bride four times now and particularly enjoys writing lighthearted, comedic, wedding-themed tales. Why? Because making readers laugh gives her great joy!
Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life.
She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com or www.freelancewritingcourses.com.
Books by Janice Thompson
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WEDDINGS BY BELLA
Fools Rush In
Swinging on a Star
It Had to Be You
BACKSTAGE PASS
Stars Collide
Hello, Hollywood!
The Director’s Cut
WEDDINGS BY DESIGN
Picture Perfect
The Icing on the Cake
The Dream Dress
The Dream Dress Page 27