“What is it?” Joy approached.
“And what about Jaime’s dress? Was she able to buy a new one?” Millie asked in a small voice.
Joy nodded. “Yes, of course. Her father gladly paid for a new dress. This dress isn’t as formal as the last one. It’s more of a garden wedding dress, you know?”
Millie clasped her chest. “Oh, good. I’m so glad.”
“She sold the other dress.” Joy smirked and waved her hand, dismissing the idea. “I was so glad to get rid of it.”
“I bet.” Edith nudged her. “What about Tony? Is he coming?”
“He’d better. He needs to give the bride away.” Joy placed her hands on her hips. “Today and tomorrow.”
“Will you be all right seeing him again, Joy?” Millie took her hand and squeezed it.
Joy thought about it. “Sure. I guess.” She shrugged. “What choice do I have? He’s Jaime’s father. He’ll always be in my life.”
“You’ve been so strong through all of this.” Edith shook her head, then tapped her chin with her finger. “In fact, to reward yourself, I think you should go on a long vacation after the wedding and just . . . oh, wait.”
Millie playfully shoved her. “Edith.”
“You already did.” Edith chortled.
But Joy laughed and playfully smacked Edith’s shoulder. “I wish I could go on another vacation after all this.”
The three friends laughed together, then walked toward the foyer arm in arm.
“If you could go away again, where would it be?” Millie asked.
“Venice . . .” Joy sighed. Alessandro’s kind face appeared in her mind, and she wondered what he was doing at that moment. Probably resting at his home after a long day of delivering flowers. Or sipping wine from his family’s label. Was he thinking of her at all? Joy didn’t know but hoped so.
“Without hesitation?” Edith leaned over.
“Without hesitation.” She giggled, knowing that her friends knew why she giggled.
“Have you heard from him at all, Joy?” Millie asked.
She shook her head. “Nope. But that’s okay. We said our goodbyes. I’m here now, and I need to be here for Jaime.”
“You’re such a good mom. What are your plans after the wedding?” Millie hugged Joy’s arm.
“Oh, didn’t Edith tell you?” Joy stood before them. “I plan on buying a flower shop in town and managing it myself.” She rubbed her hands together. “Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, I’m so excited.”
Millie’s eyes widened. “No, really. What are your plans?”
“Really.” Joy glanced at them both. “That’s what I really plan on doing. I mentioned it to you, didn’t I, Edith? I thought I did.”
“Well, good for you. That sounds wonderful. That’s perfect for you. You’ll have to show us where it’s located in town. Right, Edith?” Millie winked at her friend.
“What a coincidence.” Edith picked up a champagne flute filled with sweet mimosa and held it up as if toasting Joy.
“A coincidence?” Joy crinkled her nose. “What coincidence? What are you talking about?”
Millie turned away, trying to hide her giggles.
Edith rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, what coincidence?” Joy attempted to get it out of Millie. “You’re both acting strangely.”
“Well, just yesterday, Martin and I took a stroll downtown and saw this adorable flower shop that just so happens to be for sale.”
Joy raised her chin. “Yes! That’s the place I told you about. It is adorable. Perfect location, established clientele, and everything. They handle flowers for all the weddings, retirement parties, funerals . . . It would be the ideal shop to buy. The couple wants to retire to Florida, but neither of their two kids wants to take over the business.”
“I know. I talked with the owners yesterday.” Edith sipped her mimosa.
“You did?” Joy tilted her head. “Aren’t they the sweetest couple? But the shop is just too expensive for me. I doubt I’d get a loan big enough to take it over.”
“Too late anyway,” Millie said. “They sold the shop yesterday.”
Joy’s countenance fell, and so did her shoulders. “No.”
Millie pursed her lips. “It’s true.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. I knew I didn’t act fast enough. I guess it’s too late.” Joy tossed her hands into the air. “What else is new, huh? There is another shop for sale in nearby Larchmont. It’s not as big, but it’s cute.”
“Yep. The little shop in New Rochelle sold.” Edith winked at Millie. “Some old broad bought it but needs someone to run the joint.”
Joy glanced at her. “Really? Do you know who it is? I mean, I could go talk to her. I’m sure I could convince her to hire me to manage it, and then maybe down the road, she’d sell it to me. What do you think? Is she nice?”
