"I was going to wear the dress I wore when the clerk married us."
"No."
"But..."
"Think of the wedding dress as being an advertising expense for the shelter. Your grandmother's traveling outfit was lovely on you, but it wasn't a wedding dress. Think of this as my donation to our social media campaign." He stopped her at a door that didn't have a storefront or a sign. When the door opened for him, a scent as rich as opium poured out. "In you go."
"Mr. Adam?" An elegant woman with burnished bronze skin stepped forward.
"This is Mrs. Elm. She designs magic and is a closely guarded family secret."
"That is kind of you." The woman circled Mimi like she was measuring her with her eyes. "You are lovely. Tell me darling creature, what do you want to wear to your wedding?"
Mimi was stunned by the graceful way she moved and kept turning to look at her. "Nothing white." Lifting her fingers to her throat, she added, "And not too much skin. My family is conservative."
"How about Amber? I can see you in that color."
"Like the stone?"
"Yes, and dark honey." When she tapped her chin, the rings on her fingers glittered. "I'm glad you sent me the pictures, Adam. I think I have just the thing." She disappeared behind a curtain and Mimi saw a flash of a long hallway.
"Who is that woman, Adam?"
"An old friend. I sent her several pictures of you, and my guesses about your sizes. She is a stylist and dresses half the city, including my aunt, who has no time to shop."
Mrs. Elm returned with a fluttering blue confection, and a dream of floating fabric in honey. After holding one and then the other up to Mimi, she sighed. "Yes, the honey. Come with me." Mimi followed her behind the curtain and through a door into a small mirrored room. "You should get him to bring you back so I can improve your wardrobe. It would be fun to style your adorable shape." Mimi looked down at herself and then behind her to make sure Mrs. Elm wasn't talking to someone else.
"I took the liberty of picking out some shoes as well. I hope you don't mind."
***
Swaying back and forth, Mimi couldn't stop looking at herself in the mirror. The princess cut dress shaped to her bosom in a way that was lovely but still modest. In an ethereal flutter, the skirt floated around her legs. She kept turning just to watch the way it moved around her.
Mrs. Elm made a happy, satisfied sound. "Perfection."
When she stepped down from the raised platform to go show Adam, the woman stopped her with a touch on her arm. "It's bad luck. Let him be surprised. You deserve to see his response on your special day."
Mimi opened her mouth to explain that it wasn't really a "special day," but instead she said, "Good idea." She stood a long moment, just looking at herself. Never had she worn something so lovely. Touching the embroidered band just under her breasts, she gave a small sigh. It was exactly what she would want to wear to a real wedding.
***
Adam and she were playing hooky. Neither of them were the kind to sneak away from work for an afternoon. Seated by the river, the remnants of their late lunch still on the table, Mimi pinched her arm, just to be sure she wasn't dreaming.
Setting his napkin on top of his empty plate, Adam said, "Sarah has a plan for Saturday. She is setting up a spa and beauty day for Jen, you, and her. The kid is way more excited about this wedding than I expected. She sees our whirlwind romance as very romantic."
"Did you tell her about your plan to get your inheritance?"
"She knows about that, but she thinks you are an answer to her personal prayers. A sixteen-year-old cares more about romance than finances."