My mind returns to earlier and Barrett’s lack of interest in my appearance. Nothing worse than putting in the effort and nobody bothers to acknowledge it. I could have been wearing a potato sack and he probably wouldn’t have noticed. I make a mental note to try that at our next event.

“I was just going to say the same thing about your dress.” I recall what JoAnna has told me about her niece. “You’re a dress designer, right?”

“Bridal gowns mostly, but I play around with my own cocktail attire, too. The perk of making your own dresses is you can play up your assets,” she does a little shimmy of her ass, “and find the most flattering form for what you don’t have.” She slides a hand under her slight bust.

“Well, you look amazing.”

“Thank you.” A brilliant smile lifts the corners of her mouth. It’s like looking in a mirror. Something tells me that might be the first time she’s heard that tonight, too.

“Where is Barrett?” she asks. “I can’t imagine he’s far. He wouldn’t want you to get snapped up by a smooth talking, Golden Retriever lover.

I shrug. “He was going to make the rounds. Business.” It’s not really a lie, I imagine that’s exactly what he’s doing. That’s all he seems to do.

“Ugh. That guy works too much. I work too much and I still have time for a social life. Barrett’s work ethic is right up there with Ebenezer Scrooge. His mood, too.”

I laugh, knowing I’ve had similar thoughts about him.

“Are you two close?” I ask, curious to get more information about Barrett without having to ask the man himself.

“We’re both only children, and with our mothers being sisters, we grew up together. He’s always been the older brother I never had.”

“I’m the oldest of five and always wished I had an older sibling.”

“How old are you?” she asks.

“Twenty-five.”

“Well, I’m twenty-nine. So that’s done.” She threads her arm conspiratorially through mine and starts walking us around the room.

“When I heard Barrett was seriously dating someone, I was shocked. But now I’ve met you and it all makes sense.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I appreciate the compliment but I also know there’s no truth behind it.

“So, bridal gowns? What made that your design focus?”

“I worked for DVF for a while, but every day wear wasn’t my thing. I love romance and what is more romantic than two people falling in love and getting married? I wanted to be part of that. I started Emma Belle Bridal last year and I’m planning to launch my full bridal line in Vegas next year.”

“That’s amazing.”

“Maybe you’ll be my first customer.” She lifts her dark brows knowingly.