After Tabby took off her capris and shirt, Mitzi held the dress for her to step into. Tabby stood in front of a long bank of mirrors with a few other bride models as Mitzi fastened each little satin button on the arms of the dress. “I feel pretty in this. Do you think I’ll like feel like this on my real wedding day?”

“Yes, I do,” Mitzi assured her. “Now for the veil.” She set the tiara on the top of Tabby’s head. “I don’t think I messed up your hairdo. If I’d tried to do that with mine, it would’ve looked more like a fresh cow pile than an elaborate style.”

“It’s all in the twist of the hand and the curls from those little pink sponge rollers you saw me in this morning.”

Tabby inhaled deeply and then let it out slowly as Mitzi snapped another dozen or more pictures. “Oh, Mitzi, just look at me. When I get married, I want a veil like this. Nothing over my face to make me sneeze,” Tabby said. “Okay, are we ready?”

“Depends.” Mitzi snapped more pictures.

“On what?”

“If you’re going barefoot or if you’re going to wear the shoes in that box.” Mitzi pointed.

Tabby giggled as she took out the shoes and slipped her feet into them. “I’m nervous.”

“Not as much as I am,” Mitzi admitted. “My mama used to give me a kiss on the forehead for good luck when I had something that made me nervous. Granny gave me one on the day we opened our shop since Mama wasn’t here to do it. Now I’m giving one to you.” She leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss on Tabby’s forehead.

Tabby took a step forward and kissed Mitzi on the cheek.

“I wish my mother was here,” one of the other models said.

“Not me,” Tabby said. “I’d rather have Mitzi.”

Mitzi got misty eyed and was so glad that she was there with Tabby.

“Five minutes.” The coordinator pointed to Tabby.

“Maybe I need one more kiss to calm me down. I don’t want to disappoint y’all, and I’ve got butterflies in my stomach,” Tabby said.

“I don’t believe it,” Mitzi said. “Not after that performance with Lyle.”

“That was pretend. This is real.” Tabby pointed to her forehead.

“Three minutes. Come on over here and get ready to go through the curtains,” the woman said.

Tabby started that way with Mitzi right behind her. “If I don’t trip or freeze at the end of the runway, will you ask Daddy out?”

“No, I won’t.” Mitzi kissed her on the forehead one more time.

“If he asks you out, will you say yes?” Tabby pressed.

“We’ll see,” Mitzi answered.

The lady held up one finger.