by Lauren Boyd
“I came across the website last night.” Jess sipped her coffee. “The event starts at eight in the morning with a fashion show to showcase all the gowns. Afterward, brides have three hours to try on dresses before the models walk the runway again and each dress is auctioned off.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Why?”
“I was hoping you’d go with me. I’d love to get your opinion on the dresses I like.”
If I’m not at the point in my life where I get to pick out my own wedding dress, the next best thing is helping my best friend pick out hers. “Of course I’ll go.”
“Yay! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Kate’s brows flinched. “Wait, did you say this weekend?”
Jess cringed. “Yeah. Like I said, I just found the website last night.” She quickly continued. “I wouldn’t ask you to go if I knew we needed to be here working instead, but since we’re on schedule with all of our cakes, I figured a weekend in New York wouldn’t hurt.”
Kate grinned. “You’re right. Let’s do it.”
* * * *
Kate touched the blue sheet cake. Good, it’s cool. She carefully slid the cake lifter under part of the cake and used it, along with her other hand, to transfer it from the cooling rack to the cake board. She wrapped the cake in two layers each of plastic wrap and foil before finally sliding it into a plastic zip bag. She reached for the permanent marker and wrote PRESCOTT-WAGNER GROOM’S CAKE – JUNE 1 on the outside of the bag.
She frowned. What kind of frosting does Eric want? The fish cake in her photo album had been made with white chocolate buttercream, but Kate wasn’t sure if that was the kind Eric wanted. Knowing him, he’d only chosen that cake because it’d had a fish on top. Either way, she needed to know what kind of frosting to make.
Kate walked over to the computer and clicked on her contacts list. Who should I call? Eric and his parents are handling the rehearsal dinner and groom’s cake, so it makes sense to call ">“Is that right?”reo him. On the other hand, I don’t want any surprises for Cecilia because I didn’t check with her on this,
Kate scoffed. This is Eric’s cake. I’m not calling Cecilia. She picked up the phone and dialed his mobile number.
“Hey, Kate,” he answered.
Funny, he didn’t say, Hey, you. “Hey, how’s it going?”
“I can’t complain. How are things with you?”
“Not bad. I need your help this afternoon.”
“Okay.”
“I need to know what kind of frosting you want on your groom’s cake.”
“You’re already making that thing?”
“Just the cake.”
“Won’t it be old by the time the rehearsal dinner rolls around?”
“I’ll freeze it.” Goofball.
“Oh, right. So I need to pick a frosting. What kind was on the cake in the photo?”
“White chocolate buttercream.”
“Sounds great. I’ll take it.”
“Alright.” Kate walked back to the cake and wrote WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM on the outside of the bag. “Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. How are things in Hillsborough this afternoon?”
“Unseasonably cold. How about in Manhattan?”
“It’s warm here today. In fact,>
Why did I say that?
“Wait, what? Are you coming to Manhattan this weekend?”
Kate forced herself to say the word. “Yes.”
“Terrific! What’s the occasion?”
“There’s a bridal expo at the convention center on Saturday, and Jess asked me to go with her.”
“Do y’all want to meet for dinner afterward?”
Chapter Eleven
Saturday, May 5
Kate shivered. “I don’t think Eric knew what he was talking about when he said it was going to be warm in Manhattan this weekend.”
“Good thing he’s studying architecture and not meteorology,” Jess noted.
Kate laughed. “No kidding.”
Jess craned her neck to see above the crowd. “I think they’re opening the doors!”
Kate walked over to a nearby trash can and threw away her empty coffee cup. When she turned back around, she scanned the long line of women waiting to enter the Manhattan Convention Center. Wow, that’s a lot of competition. She rejoined Jess just as the line started to move. They slowly approached the entrance, and Kate lifted her gaze yet again to the buildings towering above them. No photo I’ve ever seen has done justice to this surreal sight.
Reaching the doors of the convention center, they paid and entered the facility. They followed the line into a large room, where rows of chairs faced a stage with a runway. Attendants directed Kate and Jess into one of the rows about halfway back. “What great seats!” Jess exclaimed, as they sat.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Kate looked to the stage to find a woman standing on the runway, holding a microphone. A hush fell over the crowd, and the woman smiled. “Thank you, and welcome to The Bridal Gown Auctions. My name is Lena Brayton, and I’ll be your host for the day. On behalf of the Manhattan Convention Center, I’d like to welcome you to this gorgeous facility.
“Most of you probably know how today is going to go, but for those of you who don’t, let me give you a quick rundown. First, we’ll enjoy a fashion show featuring beautiful designer wedding gowns. During the show, each model will hold a number corresponding to the gown she’s wearing. We encourage you to write down the numbers of the gowns you like.” Lena signaled to the attendants, and they started passing large index cards down each row. “If you need paper, please take an index card and pass the rest on.”
Kate glanced down their row and saw a stack of index cards coming her way. When the cards reached her, she handed them to Jess without taking one. Jess frowned. “Why didn’t you take one?”
“I don’t need one. I’m not buying a dress.”
“Take one anyway.”
The woman on the other side of Jess cleared her throat. Jess quickly took two cards and handed the stack to the woman. “I don’t even have a pen,” Kate said. “I left it in my workbag.”
Jess reached into her purse and pulled out two pens. She put one on Kate’s lap, along with a card.
“Thanks.” I won’t need these, but thanks.
“Alright,” Lena’ didn’t respond.thyavs voice filled the room. “Since almost everyone has a card, I’ll continue. After the fashion show, all of the gowns will be hung numerically on racks set up on the back side of the stage. You’ll have three hours to try on as many as you like—or as many as you can. You may, however, only take two gowns with you into a changing room at a time. Once the three hours are up, there’ll be a forty-five minute break for lunch.
“For the final part of the day, the models will walk the runway again—only this time, you’ll have the opportunity to bid on your dream wedding gown. Our auctioneer for the afternoon, Gary Knollwood, will conduct an auction for each and every gown. In the interest of time, bidding will be in one hundred dollar increments. We ask for appropriate behavior during and after the auctions. If you win an auction, you’ll need to stop by the cashier’s table to pay for and claim your gown. If you prefer, you can pay to have it shipped to the destination of your choice. Last but not least, out of fairness to everyone here, each woman may only purchase one gown.” Lena smiled. “Let’s get started!”
Music started pumping through the speakers, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The black curtain at the top of the runway parted, and the first model emerged. “This is gown number one,” Lena said, now behind the podium. “A long-sleeved organza empire waist with a semi-cathedral length train, size eight.”
As each subsequent model appeared, Lena offered the same information on the dress she wore. After each model had left the runway, Kate checked to see whether Jess had written down the dress’s number.
An hour later, Kate was getti
ng restless. Wonder if there’s a water fountain around here. She scanned the periphery of the room and spotted a sign. She leaned toward Jess to tell her she’d be right back. When she did, her gaze landed on the runway and the model walking down it.
Kate’s heart melted. That’s the most beautiful wedding dress I’ve ever seen.
“This is gown number one thirty-nine,” Lena said. “A strapless satin a-line with a chapel length train, size six.”
“Wow,” Kate whispered.
“You like that one?” Jess asked.
“I love it.”
“It is a pretty dress.” Jess tapped her pen against her chin in a thoughtful manner. “I’ll write it down.”
Disappointment unexpectedly swept over Kate. “Uh, yeah, write it down.” Why does it bother me that Jess likes this dress?—then it hit her.
I like this dress…for me.
* * * *
Jess pushed aside the curtain of a makeshift changing room. “What do you think?”
Kate studied the dress. “It doesn’t beat your favorite, number seven.”
“I agree. You can take this one off the list.”
Kate scratched through number one sixteen on Jess’s index card.
“Which two are next?” Jess asked.
Number one twenty-one…and number one thirty-nine. Kate hesitated. If I skipped number one thirty-nine, would Jess ever know?
A pang of guilt struck her. I’d know. “Numbers one twenty-one and one thirty-nine,” she said. “I’ll take the dresses you have now and bring you those two.”
Sullivan">“Thanks.” Jess pulled the curtain closed. A few minutes later, she handed the dresses out to Kate.
Kate carried them back to the racks. “Excuse me,” she said, barely able to squeeze through the crowd of women to return the dresses. She reached over and grabbed number one twenty-one, then walked farther down the line and found number one thirty-nine. She pulled it off the rack and held it out in front of her to get a better look.
It’s magnificent.
Kate made her way back to Jess’s changing room. Might as well get this over with. “Here’s the next one.” She handed number one thirty-nine around the curtain to Jess.
Minutes seemed like hours as Kate waited for Jess to emerge wearing this dress. Maybe it won’t look good on her. Maybe it won’t fit her right. Maybe it won’t flatter her figure.
Finally, Jess pushed the curtain aside. “Well?”
Don’t cry, Kate. You’ll find another dress…someday. “You look beautiful.”
Jess turned to face the changing room mirror. “You think so?”
Kate swallowed hard. “Yes.”
She continued to study her reflection. “It is an amazing dress.”
Kate felt her eyes welling up with tears. I can’t believe I lost the man and now I’m losing the dress.
Jess turned and met Kate’s gaze. “This dress is nice—but number seven, the long-sleeved sheath, is still my favorite.”
Maintain your composure. Do not scream in excitement. “You looked incredible in the sheath,” Kate said in all honesty.
“Would you get it so I can try it on again?”
I’d bring it to you on a silver platter if I had one. “Of course. Before I go, do you want to try on number one twenty-one while I have it?”
“Nope, I think number seven is it. Hang on a minute, and you can take number one thirty-nine back, too.” Jess pulled the curtain closed.
Kate couldn’t contain a smile as she waited outside Jess’s changing room. She doesn’t want it! It’s mine for the taking…bidding!
Jess handed number one thirty-nine around the curtain to Kate. She hurried to the racks and exchanged number one twenty-one for number seven—but she didn’t return number one thirty-nine. She took number seven to Jess. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be back in a minute, okay?”
“Sure.”
Kate clutched the strapless satin a-line and raced down the long row of changing rooms until she found an available one. She ducked inside and slid the curtain closed. She quickly removed her shoes and clothes, and carefully pulled on the dress. She deliberately kept her back to the mirror, not wanting to see how she looked in the dress until she had it all the way on. She zipped it in the back, then straightened the skirt. Feels good, but it’ll matter more how I look. She turned and faced the mirror. Her breath caught.
This is my wedding dress.
The gown couldn’t have flattered her figure more if it had been tailor-made. The cut, the length, the fit were perfect. The style reflected her taste to the letter.
gaze shot to reo It’s all enhanced by the fact Jess doesn’t want it.
Kate smiled at herself in the mirror. I’m going to bid on this dress…and I’m going to win it.
* * * *
A model wearing a long-sleeved taffeta sheath stepped onto the runway. “Next up, dress number seven,” the auctioneer announced.
Kate leaned over to Jess. “Are you ready?”
“I’m nervous. I’m afraid someone is going to outbid me.”
“Do I have an opening bid of one hundred dollars?” the auctioneer asked.
“One hundred,” a woman said.
“I have one hundred, do I hear two hundred?”
“Two hundred,” another woman said. The bidding quickly continued to five hundred.
Jess leaned toward Kate. “This dress is popular…unfortunately.”
“Just wait. These bidders will start dropping like flies.”
Indeed, it didn’t take long for the bidding to slow. “I have a thousand dollars, do I hear eleven hundred?” the auctioneer asked.
“Eleven hundred,” Jess called out.
“I have eleven hundred, do I hear twelve hundred?”
“Twelve hundred,” another woman said.
“I have twelve hundred, do I hear thirteen hundred?”
“Thirteen hundred,” Jess called out.
“I have thirteen hundred, do I hear fourteen hundred?”
The room fell silent.
“I have thirteen hundred, do I hear fourteen hundred?” the auctioneer repeated.
Nerves seized Kate, and she took hold of Jess’s hand.
“Thirteen hundred going once, thirteen hundred going twice.”
Come on, come on. Kate felt Jess squeeze her hand.
“Sold, for thirteen hundred dollars!”
Jess released Kate’s hand and clapped. “I won! It’s mine!”
“Congratulations!” Kate exclaimed.
“I’m so relieved! I would’ve been sick if I’d had to go home without that dress.” Jess picked up her purse. “I’ll go pay, then we can get out of here.”
Kate put her hand on her friend’s arm. “Actually, I’m going to bid on a dress, too.”
“You are?”
“Yeah. I know that sounds strange because I’m not even engaged, but I love this dress. It’s the one.”
Jess put her hand on top of Kate’s. “In that case, we won’t leave here quo;
Kate smiled gratefully. “Thanks.”
“I’ll be right back.”
While Jess went to pay for her dress, Kate watched other auctions. At least the strapless satin a-line was assigned a higher number and will be auctioned off later in the afternoon. Maybe by then, most of the women here will have already won their dress, and I won’t be left with much competition.
Jess returned to her seat. “Did you get everything taken care of?” Kate asked.
“Yeah. I paid extra to have the dress shipped to my house.” Jess dropped her purse to the floor. “So which dress are you bidding on?”
“Number one thirty-nine, the strapless a-line.”
“I remember that one. on the outside of the bag. "> SullivanDid you try it on?”
Kate felt her face flush. “Yeah, while you were in the changing room.”
Jess punched Kate’s arm playfully. “Aren’t you sneaky! Why didn’t you let me see
it on you?”
“It felt selfish to even be trying it on.”
“Nonsense. You need a wedding dress, too.”
“That’s sweet of you, but I don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“You will—and I have a feeling it’ll be sooner than you think.”
I wish I shared your optimism.
“Next up, dress number one thirty-nine,” the auctioneer’s voice filled the room.
Kate’s gaze slid from Jess to the runway, where a model wore the dress she wanted. She exhaled sharply. “Here we go.”
“Do I have an opening bid of one hundred dollars?” the auctioneer asked.
“One hundred,” a woman said.
“I have one hundred, do I hear two hundred?”
“Two hundred,” another woman said.
The bidding continued at an accelerated pace, and Kate leaned toward Jess. “I was hoping most of these women would’ve already won their dress by now.”
“Apparently, they were all waiting to bid on this one.”
“I have nine hundred, do I hear a thousand?” the auctioneer asked.
“One thousand dollars,” a woman replied.
“I have a thousand, do I hear eleven hundred?”
“Eleven hundred.”
Kate frowned. I might not be going home with this dress after all.
“I have eleven hundred, do I hear twelve hundred?”
Just jump in. “Right here,” Kate called out.
“I have twelve hundred, do I hear thirteen hundred?”
“Thirteen hundred.”
“I have thirteen hundred, do I hear fourteen hundred?”
“Right here,” Kate nodded.
“I have fourteen hundred, do I hear fifteen hundred?”
“Fifteen hundred.”
Sounds like I’m only up against one other bidder now.
“I have fifteen hundred, do I hear sixteen hundred?”
“Right here,” Kate said. She and the other bidder continued to banter back and forth in hundred dollars increments. Frustrated, Kate finally turned to Jess. “This is ridiculous.” I need to leave this woman in the dust.
“I have nineteen hundred, do I hear two thousand?”
I’ll give you two hundred more, just to end this. “Twenty-one hundred,” Kate called out.