Michelle is calling you about your dress. Whatever she says, YOU LIKE IT.

Casey tapped out a quick reply. But I DO like it!

Moments later, her phone rang from the France country code.

“Hi Michelle,” Casey said, as she swiveled around in her chair, giving herself a better view of her favorite office scenery—a replica of a Roy Lichtenstein painting, a comic book style rendering of a couple kissing. She had another one from the series at her home.

“How did you know it was me, and not Jack?” Michelle asked curiously.

“He just emailed and told me you were calling. He also told me to tell you no matter what that I like the dress. But I LOVE the bridesmaid dress, so I don’t have to fake it. And you should tell him he doesn’t have to say those things.”

“Jack,” Michelle shouted. “You’re in so much trouble.”

She heard him respond with, “The good kind of trouble?”

Michelle laughed, then returned to the call. “Anyway, does it fit? I’m sorry it took so long to get it to you, but I wanted to find a perfect dress for an island wedding.”

Casey scoffed. Loudly. Pointedly. “Island wedding? That’s what you call a wedding in Hawaii. Or the Caribbean. Your wedding is a paradise wedding. That’s what you call a wedding in the Maldives.”

She swore she could hear Michelle smiling through the phone. “Well, can’t wait to see you in paradise then, in three weeks.”

“Me too. Can you put Jack on?”

There was a rustling sound from Michelle handing the phone to Jack, then his voice. “Thanks for getting me in trouble.”

“You do it to yourself, Jack Sullivan. Whenever are you going to learn that the women in your life can see straight through you?”

“Never. Probably never.”

They chatted more, and she caught him up to speed on the latest news with Joy Delivered, then he told her about some projects he was working on. He’d become a strategy consultant for many European companies, advising them on the U.S. market. He’d started in related businesses to Joy Delivered, but had now expanded, and even had begun working with some investors who specialized in high-end goods, from diamonds to vintage cars to art.

“You’re so fancy now,” she teased.

“That’s me.”

She told him she’d see him soon in the Maldives, and said goodbye.

Soon in the Maldives.

The words slammed her in the chest, like a linebacker knocking out the opponent’s air, as she connected all the dots that were in front of her.

The wedding was taking place on the property of one of Nate’s hotels in the Maldives. He was the best man, and his wedding gift had been to arrange for a discounted block of rooms for the guests, friends and family. She’d be at her brother’s wedding, standing beside the bride and groom with the man whose hands and mouth and tongue had been exploring her. The man who was teaching her how to let go. How to give in. How to bend.