Tess

Tess’s Loft

Seattle, Washington

It had been surprisingly difficult to find a wedding gown to suit both the venue and Tess’s taste, but Nicole, Asher’s mate, had been a real trooper, finally insisting they go to Seattle to search for the perfect gown. Colby had put his jet at their disposal, much to the consternation of all of the men. The group consisted of Tess, Cecily, Nicole, Lara, Autumn, Sienna, and Annie. They had insisted that between Lara’s home and Tess’s loft they didn’t need a hotel room. In the end, they’d been having too much fun at Tess’s, and everyone had stayed there.

“Okay, I say we go to this Biscuit Bitch place and have breakfast. I’ve heard nothing but good things from you two,” said Annie, “and the reviews online have been just great.”

“You do know,” said Sienna, “she’s just getting ideas for the bistro, right?”

Everyone laughed.

“Hey, if they’re that good, we’d be crazy not to imitate them.”

Tess grabbed her take-out menu, made notes as to who was ordering what and phoned in the order. Lara and Autumn went to pick up breakfast while everyone else got dressed, crowding into the bath for mirror space. It was chaotic and crowded, things Tess usually avoided like the plague, but outside of being with Derek, she couldn’t remember having a better time.

As they dug into their breakfast, Nicole, who was actually planning the wedding, was just getting their day organized when she received a phone call from one of the bridal salons they were planning to visit in order to search for Tess’s ceremony gown. Nicole spoke briefly with the shop and was grinning from ear-to-ear when she ended the call.

“So that was Bespoke Bridal. Apparently, the shop owner is a huge fan of Tess’s work. She’d like to send a limo and treat us to a special appointment including free-flowing champagne and snacks. I have to say I was going to go there last because I think they’re more in-tune with Tess’s vision. In addition, they have the best wedding party dresses.”

“Sounds like maybe we should just go there,” said Tess.

“That was my thought as well. I’ll call her and tell her to send the car.”

They had time to finish breakfast and be ready when the stretch limo picked them up to take them just north of the city limits. By the time they reached their destination, they were all giddy from the camaraderie as well as the champagne.

The shop owner threw open the doors, exclaiming, “Welcome to Bespoke Bridal, the shop where all your dreams come true.” Looking at all the beautiful gowns, Tess and the women with her gave a collective gasp. “Given Nicole’s description of both the venue and the bride—and knowing her work—I’ve gone ahead and selected some things I think you’ll like.”

The stylist for the shop helped Tess into several wedding gowns, which were all gorgeous and which she knew she’d have trouble picking from.

“Now, I have a final gown. I held it back as it is brand new and frankly, I think this is going to be the one. It’s a combination of bohemian style and fairytale. Let’s see if I’m right.”

She opened the garment bag and pulled out a gown that almost made Tess swoon. The shop owner was right. It was a combination of fairytale romance meets elevated designer bohemian style.

“Is it that good?” called Annie from outside the dressing room.

“Yes,” answered Tess, as she walked over to it to touch the silky fabric. “I’m pretty sure you nailed it.”

The shop owner helped her into the dress with its sheer, detachable, off-the-shoulder blouson sleeves, which added volume and movement to the dreamy gown. The dress gathered at the waist to highlight the raw tulle edge and the translucent strapless bodice had a sweetheart neckline, with a built-in corset and a small row of fabric-covered buttons in the back. From the waist, a sea of gauzy, layered tulle was accented by leafy lace and billowed into a romantic A-line skirt. There was also a thigh high side slit that Tess knew Derek would love.

When she stepped into the viewing area, the gregarious group of women she’d brought with her were dumbstruck and literally unable to speak.

“I think we’ve found the dress,” said Tess to the stylist.

They spent the rest of the day meandering around Seattle and visiting some of Tess’s and Lara’s favorite haunts, including the world-renowned Pike Place Market. They wandered back to the loft to get their things and head home to Mystic River having had the most fun. When they entered the building, Tess could feel and hear the familiar tell-tale buzz in her head.

“What’s that look?” asked Lara.

“If I didn’t know better,” said Tess, “I’d swear Derek was here.”

She punched in the keycode and opened the door to find Derek standing in the middle of the loft space, dressed in faded Levi’s, her favorite sweater, and cowboy boots.

“We never got that dinner date in Kodiak. I figured there’d probably never be a better time and place than now.”