I closed my eyes.
“Don’t fall apart,” I told myself.
In the mirror, I saw my face go white.
The air felt thick as I stared at the ruined dress.
I heard footsteps, then Jess burst back into the suite. Behind her came the venue manager, Mr. Harris, and our wedding planner, Tessa, who looked ready to faint.
“Callie, sit down,” Jess urged, grabbing my elbow. “We’re going to figure this out.”
Mr. Harris took in the wrecked gown, his eyes wide. “I’m so sorry, I… Has anyone been in here besides you two?”
I shook my head. “It was fine before we left for that walk. I zipped it up myself.”
“Has anyone been in here besides you two?”
Tessa wrung her hands. “Maybe it was an accident, or a faulty steamer? I can call the boutique, maybe find a seamstress.”
I shot her a look. “It wasn’t an accident. Check the cameras outside this room.”
Mr. Harris nodded. “I’ll pull up the footage right now. The dressing area is a blind spot, but we’ll see who came in and out.” He stepped into the hallway and fiddled with his tablet.
Tessa hovered. “Do you want me to call your dad, Callie? Maybe he can help —”
“It wasn’t an accident. Check the cameras outside this room.”
I shook my head. “No. Please don’t. Not yet.”
A minute later, Mr. Harris reappeared, his face pale. He held out the tablet to me. “You should see this.”
I pressed play, Jess leaning over my shoulder.
Brenda appeared on the tiny screen, calm and deliberate. We watched her opening the dress bag and pulling out a pair of scissors from her purse. She sliced through the fabric without hesitation, then smoothed the bag and left as if nothing had happened.
Jess let out a low whistle. “She’s ice cold.”
“You should see this.”
Tessa’s mouth fell open. “I can’t believe it.”
I straightened my back, adrenaline kicking in. “I’ll handle Brenda after the ceremony. For now, I need another dress.”
A memory hit: Mom’s wedding gown, boxed in the attic for decades.
“Come with me,” I said.
Jess grabbed her flats, and we ran up the back stairs, dodging Aunt Lynn, who called out, “Everything okay, girls?”
“Just a wardrobe hiccup!” Jess called back.
“For now, I need another dress.”
***
The attic was hot, dusty, and sunlight streamed through a tiny window. We pushed aside bins and old luggage until I found the ivory box, heavy and sealed with yellowed tape.
Jess wiped dust off her hands and grinned. “Moment of truth, Cal.”
I peeled back the tissue. Mom’s gown gleamed, ivory satin, delicate beadwork catching the light.
Jess squeezed my arm. “Try it on. If it fits, it’s fate.”
I slipped it on, it fit like fate, and Jess zipped me up.
“If it fits, it’s fate.”
I blinked back tears. “Let’s get back before Dad sends a search party.”
We raced out the door. The ride back was a blur; Jess kept peeking at me at every red light.
“Anna just texted,” Jess said, glancing at her phone. “She’s waiting in the bridal suite with safety pins and hairspray, says she’ll help with whatever you need.”
Anna was Rowan’s sister, and I’d grown to love her, too.
The ride back was a blur.
***
By the time we pulled up, Anna was standing by the door, waving both hands.
“Come on! We’ve got to hurry if you’re going to make it on time!”
We rushed inside, hearts pounding. Anna grinned, grabbing a makeup brush. They worked together: Jess handling the skirt, Anna fixing my curls, both fussing over every detail.
When I finally stood in front of the mirror, I sighed.
Jess squeezed my shoulder. “Let’s go have your moment.”
“Come on! We’ve got to hurry!”
