“Shh,” Wanda says.

I go on. “I gave him a flower and we sat together. And suddenly the worst day of my life…there was a light in all that dark. And all the years after, when it got dark again, I only had to think of that time or take out that handkerchief, and I knew that everything would be okay. Even if it didn’t feel like it at that moment.”

He was my beacon in the darkness.

“Ahh. A childhood marriage promise. I love it,” Petunia says.

I roll my eyes and smile at her.

Gladiola’s forehead is furrowed. “You haven’t spoken since you were eight?”

“Not really. I sort of idolized him from afar.” I flush and realize how idiotic that sounds. “Stupid.”

Wanda shakes her head. “Not at all. You had a fantasy. Why risk disappointment from the real thing?”

Was that what I had done? Not approached Gavin because I didn’t want to break the image I had of him?

“But now Erma said he’s Jessie’s soul mate, so he’ll be better than she imagined,” Petunia says. “You can throw out your perfect fantasy and discover the real man. Trust me, real men are more interesting and more fun than perfect fantasies.”

Wanda nods. “That’s a fact.”

“Enough talk. Let’s get down to business,” Gladiola says.

She pulls an old brown leather suitcase out from under the computer table. Petunia rubs her hands together in excitement.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask.

Gladiola yanks the suitcase’s zipper open and pulls out a hand-beaded black dress with a V-neck that looks like it’ll go down to my belly button. I swallow so loudly I think everyone can hear my gulp.

“Like you said, makeovers are the bread-and-butter of romance.” Gladiola pulls out a pair of five-inch gold high heels. She’s not done. Out comes a lacy garter belt, silk stockings, a strapless push-up bra, and…

No way.

“I’ve changed my mind. The real lesson in romcoms is that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. You know, I’m beautiful on the inside, and I love myself…no waxing, hair straightening, glasses replaced with contacts, or sex kitten outfit necessary.” Not that I have curly hair or wear glasses, but still. “Since Gavin is my soul mate, he’ll love me for who I am, not what I look like.”

Petunia lets out a cackle, and I realize I’ve let loose three evil fairy godmothers. When I asked them to help with my date tonight, I didn’t think they’d go this far. I like my classy 1950s career woman outfits.

“Here’s some wisdom from someone who was married for fifty-two years,” Petunia says.

“Oookay.” I don’t know if I’m ready for this.