It took both her friends to assist Megan into her dress. Luckily she could step into it, which meant her hair and makeup weren’t in danger, but still, the sheer amount of material created quite a challenge.

Brendon fussed over the many hems, straightening the layers and fluffing it out so the periphery was even bigger. Georgie fiddled with the top, drawing up the side zipper and puffing the cupped silk sleeves.

“It’s so beautiful,” Georgie said wistfully.

“And so virginal,” Brendon said, then cackled. “Except we know that’s not true.”

Megan skimmed her palms over the tight material at her waist then over her hips. Her hands became lost in the meringue nest of taffeta. “I’ve had some fun but I have standards.” She rolled her eyes. “But not as much fun as you, Brendon.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve not finished having fun yet,” he said, standing. “There’s many more fish out there for me to reel in and have my wicked way with.”

“But don’t you want to find the one?” Georgie asked, helping herself to a squirt of Megan’s perfume.

“Yes of course, but not for a while. I’ve still got things I want to do, places to go, people to meet. I’m not ready to commit to one person, and besides, I wouldn’t know if it was the right person anyway.”

“What do you mean?” Megan asked, taking her perfume from Georgie and spritzing it over her neck and onto her wrists.

“Well, I don’t know how you do it.” He looked between them. “How you can be so sure you’ve met your soulmate? The man you’re meant to be with for all of time. Go to bed with each night and wake up each morning next to.”

“You’ll just know,” Georgie said.

“But how?” Brendon held up his palms. “How? Enlighten me.”

“When you count the hours till you’re going to see them again,” Georgie said. “Think of them when planning what to eat that night so you know they’ll enjoy it. Watch boring old war documentaries because that’s their thing and not mind in the least because you’re snuggled up on the sofa next to them. That’s how you know.”

Megan studied her friend. Georgie lit up when she talked of Tom. He’d captured her heart in a way no other man had. She’d never seen her so happy, so full of life—even the asthma that had always plagued her seemed to have settled. It was as if Tom’s presence in her life was a soothing energy, a balm for her nerves. Megan hoped Tom would pop the question soon. It would feel so right to see Georgie in an elegant white gown walking down the aisle.