She’d gone online to Rent the Runway and splurged on the Badgley Mischka off-the-shoulder gown with its sweetheart neckline. It wasn’t because she was trying to make Dan’s eyes pop out of his head. No, of course not. Not in the least. She most definitely was not trying to show Dan what he was missing out on. Nope. No way. But yet, despite the fact they had had only one night together, she missed him terribly.

Myles helped her with the zipper and winked. “You should treat yourself. It matches your eyes.”

She kicked off her stilettos as she drove them downtown, having never mastered driving comfortably in heels. The parking lot was already crowded when they arrived, and she immediately recognized Dr. Dan’s Toyota Highlander. Her stomach dropped, and she felt slightly sick. Taking a deep breath, she drove to the opposite side of the lot where she squeezed her little sedan in a spot between two SUVs. Myles gallantly extended his arm, and the pair waltzed inside.

The Spring Fling Gala was held in the Cranberry Cove Town Hall the first Saturday of May. The women all wore cocktail dresses in pastel hues while many of the men opted for seersucker suits. Fern Nielsen, the town florist, provided whimsical decorations and place settings, and a band had driven in from Portland.

“Hey, do you see Bree?” Myles squinted his eyes. “She said she was going stag. Again. When is the last time that sister of yours was with a man?”

Renee smiled. “More recently than me?”

“Oh honey.” Myles arched a brow. “That’s not saying much. You two need to get out there. Live it up. Stop hiding all that gorgeous sparkle in the shadows.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re one of my best friends,” she said. “I just hope Bree made it by now. She said she had to work late. That’s why she couldn’t get ready with me like we usually do.”

“Work late? The night of the Spring Fling?”

Renee shrugged. “I tried fighting her on it, but she’s so stubborn.”

“Something is up with that girl,” Myles said. “Do you know she’s canceled on our Wednesday wine night two weeks in a row now?”

Renee had always been slightly envious of the fact that one of her best friends had a standing weekly hangout with her sister. The two split a bottle of wine and a fancy charcuterie board while watching celebrity cooking shows. She’d joined them a handful of times but had a hard time keeping up with their passionate love of Hollywood gossip.

“I’m worried about her,” Renee admitted. “And a little bit hurt too.”

“Talk to her,” Myles advised. “There has to be something going on. It’s not you… it’s her.”

Huh, something to think about. Worry started winding its ugly tendrils through her already overstimulated brain.

Just then, Sadie and Ethan approached.