The tailor slid a fourth silver pin into the silk at my waist and stepped back.

I held my breath so the heavy fabric wouldn’t snag on the straight pins.

The bridal boutique smelled like expensive perfume and dry-cleaning fluid.

I stood on the small wooden block and waited for the scissors.

Vanessa walked a slow circle around the pedestal.

She reached out and gathered the bottom two feet of my veil in her hands.

The delicate material caught on the edge of her diamond ring, but she pulled it free without looking at me.

“It drags too much,” Vanessa told the tailor.

“Cut it shorter right here.” “Are you sure?” I asked.

The tailor paused with her white chalk hovering over the tulle.

She looked at Vanessa for permission. Vanessa patted my bare arm.

“I’m just trying to save you some stress, sweetie,” Vanessa said.

“You don’t want people stepping on this all day.”

Kendra stood near the velvet sofa holding a glass of sparkling water.

She twisted a strand of her blonde hair around her index finger.

“Vanessa is totally right,” Kendra said.