Lisette snorted. "How about Mario for a happy medium?"
"Done!"
"I'll see you at three."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"You know what?" Lisette asked in a soft voice. "So am I."
The instant she disconnected the call, the three of them came alive.
"I'll need to get back to the hotel to do some research."
"You can use my computer," Carly exclaimed. "I'll go get it."
As she hurried into the house, Audrey thanked her and turned immediately to Kat. "I'll need a sketch pad."
"I'll run out and get you some supplies and meet you at the hotel in an hour?"
"Good. And Kat? Thank you."
"For what?"
"Everything."
Kat grinned, tapped Audrey's shoulder as she hurried past Carly.
"It's all booted up and ready to go," she told her, setting an open white laptop on the table in front of her.
"What's going on?" Devon asked, standing in the doorway in his bathrobe, eyes squinting into the sun.
"No, no, baby, not now," Carly said, taking his arm and leading him back into the house. "Audrey has to focus. You go back to bed, and I'll bring you a sandwich."
"Any more Yoo-hoo?"
"You don't need any more. You had three of them yesterday. I'll bring you iced tea and those little cookies you like."
"The ones with the raisins or the ones with the chocolate chips?"
"Chocolate chips. Now scoot!"
The patio door clicked shut as Audrey typed wedding plus size into the search engine. Halfway down the page, she noticed an article about things to watch out for when styling the larger body, and she clicked on it and began to read.
A few moments later, the patio door whooshed open again, and J. R. appeared.
"Hey! I just got here and saw you out here with—"
"Uh-uh!" Carly exclaimed, cutting his words in half and dragging him back into the house by the arm. "No. She's working. Go upstairs with Devon. I'll bring you a cookie."
Audrey glanced back at him as the door closed between them, and she couldn't help but laugh as J. R. asked Carly, "What kind of cookie?"
Audrey wasn't entirely sure what she'd expected, but the young woman seated across from her wasn't it. Lisette Gibson may have been a size 26, and she was indeed more graciously endowed than any woman Audrey'd ever met in person, but that's where her challenges ended, as far as Audrey could see. Elbow-length blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, peaches-and-cream complexion, legs for days, even for someone standing tall at around 5'9".
"So I warned you," she teased. "It's not an enviable butt I'm packing here."
Audrey chuckled. "But we work with what we're given, right?"
"That's the plan."
"Why don't you tell me about your original wedding gown," she suggested as she filled both china cups with tea from the beautiful porcelain pot. Selecting a couple of cookies and squares of cake for each of their plates, she added, "What was your vision?"
"The cake is green," Lisette pointed out. "What kind of cake is green?"
"Pistachio, I think."
"Oh. Okay, I'll try some."
Audrey dropped the green cake with the chocolate ribbon running through it to Lisette's plate. "Where was I?" she asked. "Oh. Your vision."
"Well, which one do you want to hear about?" Lisette asked her with an arched brow. "My vision or the original gown? Because the two are very, very different."
Audrey nodded. "I see."
"I brought you a photo of me in the dress at the time of the first fitting."
Lisette slid the photograph across the table, and a fraction of a groan escaped Audrey's throat before she could stop it.
"So you see my dilemma."
"I'm afraid so."
The beautiful plus-sized woman across from her had been jammed into an expensive lace sausage casing. Audrey understood Lisette's distress.
"We went through three different versions of this dress before I finally gave up. She just couldn't seem to interpret what was up here," and she tapped at her forehead, "to get it down here," then tapped the photograph. "I guess maybe it wasn't her fault. I knew she hadn't designed for a bigger model before, and when she looked at me with such . . . panic . . . I guess I should have taken my business elsewhere right then and there. But Riley Eastwood does such beautiful work. I thought for sure she could translate that on a larger scale."
"That's who you worked with?" Audrey clarified. "Riley Eastwood?"
"Yes. She did my cousin's gown, and it was just breathtaking."
"She's amazing."
Audrey picked up the photograph and examined it more carefully, struggling to imagine someone whose designs rivaled Stella McCartney and Vera Wang designing . . . this.
"Isn't Riley Eastwood headquartered in Chicago?"
"Yes. And I flew back and forth four times with nothing to show for it."
Audrey gazed at the photograph again wondering how such a gifted designer could have gone so terribly, terribly wrong.
"I'm not one of those people who believes a big woman should only wear an A-line muumuu," Lisette explained. "I do have a shape under here, and I try to accentuate it when I can. But not to this degree. I think there's something between muumuu and sausage casing." Tapping her trim pink fingernail on the tabletop and working very hard to hold back the threatening emotion on her horizon, she nibbled on the corner of her lip and raised her gaze to meet Audrey's. "My fiancé really does love me, Audrey. Just the way I am, big butt and all. I want to look over-the-top beautiful for him on our wedding day. Is that too much to ask?"
"No," Audrey softly replied. "You're a gorgeous woman, Lisette. We just need to play to your strengths."
"What do you think then?"
Audrey had never been given to insecurities, at least not where her designs were involved. But Kim Renfroe had contributed the direct hit that had left a gaping wound. Further, if this bride couldn't work out satisfaction with a Riley Eastwood design, what would she think of Audrey Regan?
It's too late for second thinking now, she decided, and she lifted her portfolio from the floor where it leaned against her chair.
"I made these preliminaries before meeting you, of course," she said as she unzipped the leather case that had once housed Kim's gown sketches. "I was thinking about how you described yourself on the phone—which didn't nearly do you justice, by the way—and I thought a fit-and-flare silhouette seemed like a good bet. Meeting you, I think it might be really flattering on you." She opened to the first sketch and held it up for Lisette to view. "Fitted on the top with a thin ruffled assymetric strap over one shoulder, not too much cleavage, tighter at the waist, and only a slight flare at the bottom."
Lisette didn't utter a word, but she nodded enthusiastically.
Audrey flipped the page to the next sketch of the three she'd had time to do before their meeting.
"This one looks good on just about any body type," she said. "Strapless with a sweetheart neckline, empire waist, and then these beautiful layers of flowy chiffon for the skirt. You would look stunning in this."
"Mm-hmm."
Not much reaction to go on, so Audrey continued.
"And this third one is a beaded, blingy bodice with lace cap sleeves, and a sort of princess ball gown skirt with beaded tulle and a stiff organza petticoat. I think any one of the three would be—"
"The first one."
Audrey clamped her lips tight at the interruption.
"I adore the first one."
"Okay." She flipped back to the first page and held it up toward Lisette.
"Audrey, it's just what I had in my head."
"It is?"
"Absolutely. Not too much dress. It will show my curves without outlining them. I just would like a little more bling. Can we do some bling?"
Audrey grinned. "Bling is my specialty."
"It is?"
"Do you want to keep the strap?"
"Yes! Absolutely
."
"Then since the strap is a ruffled flower of sorts, how about we add a few rhinestone petals right here," she suggested, pointing out the spot where the strap met the bodice. "And we can use a fabric with crystal beads and rhinestones, maybe in an ivy type pattern on the skirt to give you the sparkle you're looking for."
"Perfect," Lisette cooed.
"And with the shoulder being so dramatic, what do you think of this? Instead of a traditional veil, we could place a crystal band in your hair. Not a tiara, but more of a headband that—"
"Yes. With a veil at the back. Kind of like this . . ." With both hands, she demonstrated the flow of her imaginary veil, the one Audrey could see had been living in her mind since the day her fiancé had proposed. Maybe longer. "And I want a spectacular view from behind. Maybe a great train, or some sort of design that draws the eye while camouflaging the tush?"
"Okay. I have some thoughts about that," Audrey said, sketching them out. "How about—"
She looked up just in time to notice the tears in Lisette's pretty eyes.
"I'll do some final sketches this afternoon and email them to you for approval."
Lisette nodded. "And you promise it won't come out of your sketch pad and onto my body looking like this?" she asked, holding up the photograph she'd brought along.
"Oh, yes. I promise."
"Here's a harder one for you. What are the chances of having this dress in three weeks and one day though?"
"Well," she said, closing up the portfolio. "I'll be returning to New York in a couple of days, so—"
"I can't go to New York, Audrey. I've got wedding plans up to my eyeballs at the moment. Is there any chance you could stay in Atlanta while you work on my dress?"
Audrey hesitated, a cool chill moving through her when her bank balance breezed across her mind's eye.
"What will it take to make that happen, Audrey?"
"Well. I would need to snag some work space, and—"
"Look," she interrupted again. "Whatever it takes, I'll pay it. I need you and this dress. Whatever you need to stay through my wedding day, consider it done."
"Lisette, I don't think you realize how expensive it can be to—"
"I'll worry about the dollars. You just make that first sketch come to life for me. Okay?" When Audrey paused, she leaned toward her. "Seriously. I really feel like you understand. I need a designer who understands."
Audrey sighed. "You're going to be a very beautiful bride."
Lisette bounded from her chair and rounded the table, wrapping her arms around Audrey, and swaying her from side to side. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Audrey had to admit that she really looked forward to sinking her creativity into this one. And the joy of supplying something for Lisette that no one else could or would—that just made it all the more sweet.
Lisette pulled her checkbook from her purse and began writing before Audrey could even consider quoting a price. She tore out the check and extended it toward Audrey. "This should get you started with what you need. Get your ducks in a row, consider what you need to stay here in Atlanta for three weeks, and just give me the invoice."
Audrey found it hard to swallow around the lump in her throat as she stared at the check. "Five thousand dollars."
"I know. It's not nearly enough. But find out how much it will cost for your work space, the supplies, your accommodations, and I'll cut you a check for the balance. You can't believe how much I need you, Audrey."
"Back atcha," she muttered. "Thank you."
Top Five Wedding Gown Embellishments
1. Beading
Small pieces of glass, crystal, or gems which are glued or
sewn to the fabric
2. Seed Pearls
Tiny versions of faux or real pearls used to create patterns
3. Sequins
Small iridescent disks applied to the fabric to create shimmer
4. Bugle Beads
Tubular glass beads sewn close together to form a line
pattern, such as a vine
5. Lace Appliqués
Lace patterns sewn on to the dress
10
She just handed you a check for five thousand dollars. And . . . her father is an electrician? Are you sure?"
"I know!" she told Carly through the cell phone as Kat tapped at the laptop on the table beside her. "Okay, Kat is back, and she wants to talk fabric. I've got to go."
"But you'll be here for dinner, right?"
"Well . . ."
"Aud. You'll be here for dinner. Right?"
"Yes."
"Good. And Kat too."
"I'll tell her you asked."
"Now get to work!"
"I'm on it."
"And Audrey?"
"What?"
"I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Caroline. See you around six."
She hadn't even pressed the button to end their call before Kat kicked into gear from where she sat at the tiny desk in the corner of the hotel room. "I scanned them, and Sherilyn let me use her computer to send them off. I've already spoken to Lisette, and she loves them and said to tell you to 'Go forth and create.' Now, there are three possibilities downtown for quick turnaround on fabric. We can go and see the options in person, maybe take the bride with us so we don't have to bother with samples? And as far as work space goes, it may end up being easier to rent the equipment and just settle in here at the hotel. Although there won't be much space unless we get a bigger room. I'm not sure if they have bigger rooms aside from the bridal suite. Do you know? We could request the bridal suite again and both of us stay there and have some work space. What do you think?"
When she finally paused to take a breath, Audrey commented, "I have something else in mind for work space," and she curled her legs underneath her on the bed as she took the sketch pad from Kat and flipped to the one Lisette had approved. "How close together are the three fabric places?"
"I'll find out."
"I want to schedule Lisette for measurements first thing tomorrow morning. Can you set that up?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to have dinner at Carly's tonight?"
"Can't."
Audrey glanced over at Kat, taking notes from the computer screen, tapping out addresses into the GPS. She marveled at how skilled Kat could be at handling multiple tasks, everything all at once.
"Plans with Russell?"
"Mm-hmm." She tossed down the pen in her hand and smacked the desktop. "They're very close together. Do you want to go now?"
"No, let's get her measurements before we commit to fabrics. I'll also need the addresses of some embellishment shops, just in case they don't have what I need at the fabric stores. Can you—"
"On it."
"And we'll have to think about finding a plus-size dress form. Do they even make them above a size eighteen?"
"I'll find out."
Audrey wondered for the hundredth time what she would ever do without Kat to handle all her details. She reminded herself that she needn't worry about that; for at least three weeks anyway.
She examined her cell phone for several minutes before asking Kat, "How do I find the number of someone who called me?"
"See where it says Call Log on the top bar?"
"Yes."
"Click there. Scroll down."
Audrey followed the directions and scrolled until she found the number she needed. "Is there an easy way to dial it back once I find it?"
"Just hit the green button while it's showing on your screen."
She did, and Weston LaMont's voice mail picked up on the third ring.
"Wes," she said, far more casually than she felt. "It's Audrey Regan. Remember how you said you wanted to make it up to me for heartlessly stealing Kim Renfroe right out from under me?" She added a chuckle for effect. "I think I know how you can do that. Can you give me a ring back, please? Thanks. Talk to you soon."
When she disconnected the call, she looked up to find Kat grinning at he
r.
"Brilliant," she remarked.
"Let's hope so. How about we start gathering the numbers and put together an invoice for Lisette?"
"I've already started an Excel spreadsheet," she began.
Of course you have.
"I can make Austin in two days' ride," J. R. remarked as he inspected the map on the screen of Carly's laptop. "If I leave here on Monday morning, that will get me in late Tuesday night."
"You're leaving that soon?" she asked, standing behind him. "I thought you might stick around until Devon ships out."
"I wish I could, but I've got a pretty big job possibility in Austin."
"Oh."
Carly's disappointment clouded the room like a thick vapor.
"Come on, babe," Devon reassured her from the sofa a few feet away. "I know you'd like it to, but the world can't stop just because I'm shipping out again."
"Yes, it can."
"Yours, but not everyone else's. My bro needs to work in Austin, Audrey needs to go home to New York—"
"Oh!" she cut him off. "I didn't tell you. Audrey's in town for three more weeks!"
"She is?" J. R. interjected.
"Yeah, Jackson hooked her up with the daughter of a friend who is getting married. She had a bridal gown disaster, and he connected them. It's a good time for a windfall, and Audrey's going to work with her until the wedding."
"So she'll be here with you after I leave," Devon concluded. "That is so great. I hate leaving you alone. Bro, maybe you can swing back into town and check on my doll baby at some point."
J. R. felt a little like an intruder as Carly caved in to Devon on the sofa and buried her face in his chest. It wrenched something inside his gut to think of the two of them being separated again so soon after their vow renewal.
"You could stay a little longer if you flew to Austin instead of taking your bike," Carly unexpectedly suggested. "Couldn't you?"
"That would give you more time with Audrey," Devon jabbed.
"Shut it."
"Audrey?" Carly interjected. "Are you interested in Audrey?"
Always the Designer, Never the Bride Page 15