“Not the last though.” Juliette nudged her shoulder.
Joey snorted. “Oh no, I don’t even know if marriage is for me. I didn’t grow up seeing it as commonplace. It’s a binding contract that can sour easily if not properly managed.” And once he finds out who my father is? Moose will probably drop me like a hot potato.
“You make it sound like a business investment.” Juliette frowned. “I thought you wanted kids.”
“I do, but you don’t need marriage for that, just a commitment to one another and the children,” Joey said.
Juliette opened her mouth, shut it and curved the corners of her mouth down. “You have a point.”
“I think the second time will be the charm,” Lisa piped in.
Evonne and Hil walked out in simple white sheaths with clean lines and a band around their waists. The bodice had a splash of lace detail you didn’t quite notice until you were close enough, or the light struck it just so. It was a case of love at first sight. Juliette rose from the padded bench excited. “This is the style!”
“That was easy.” Lisa grinned. “Now we just need to pick shoes, and then we can move on to you, Ms. Maid of Honor.”
Oh joy.
“I want them to be pink,” Juliette informed her. “A subtle way to tie them to me and give a little pop.”
The sparkle in Juliette’s eyes and the certainty in her voice made Joey smile. Juliette struggled for a while after Peter’s death. But now she’d regained herself and then some. As unlikely as he seemed, Shooter had been great for her. Not even her overprotective mother could continue to deny that. Watching Ms. Irene eat crow was pleasing. She’d always been overpowering, filling Juliette’s head with so many expectations she’d been bogged down and constantly guilty that her wants would lead to major disappointment. With Shooter on the scene, that would never happen again.
The girls held out their left feet, displaying the three different shoe styles.
“What do you think?” Lisa asked.
Joey glanced at the other girls.
“It’s missing something, but I’m not sure what.” Juliette tilted her head to the right.
“I think I know. Hang tight.” Lisa rushed off.
“What do you girls think? Are the dresses comfortable?” Juliette asked.
“I think they’re gorgeous, Jul,” Hil said.
“Agreed.” Evonne ran her hands down her waist. “I’d wear this again somewhere.”
“Good.” Juliette looked pleased.
“Here, I think this is what you ladies need.” Lisa knelt down and slipped a crystal–studded, heart-shaped clip onto the center of the shoe.
“Perfect!” Juliette beamed. “What do you think, ladies?”
“I think it’s Joey’s turn to get into the hot seat.” Hil grinned evilly.
Joey rolled her eyes. “So mean.”
“What? We’ve rarely see you in a dress. I think we’re anxious to see how you’ll look in something so fancy,” Evonne countered.
“Now, that we have Evonne and Hilary set, have you put any thought to what you’d like Joey to wear?” Lisa said.
“I want her in a similar dress, simple, elegant, but a bit different from Evonne and Hilary.”
“I think I have just the one. How do you feel about Audrey Hepburn’s style?”
“Adored it,” Juliette said.
“Joey?” Lisa said.