Apart from doing the dessert stations at Ava’s wedding, she’d booked a job for another wedding a few weeks before. Plus, Reba had sent her the stock numbers for the Sweethand goodies she sold in select bakeries and groceries. She’d need to restock soon. Lots of cookie and cupcake baking ahead, but Cherisse loved it. Surrounding herself in the sugary baking smells made her happy. Had since she’d hovered around her mother’s kitchen, watching the delicious-smelling batter become tasty treats.

A loud gasp and a nudge from Remi tore her gaze away from her phone, which nearly slid out of her hand.

“Well?” Ava turned to them, smile hopeful, but Cherisse, used to Ava’s facial expressions, knew right away—Ava had found the one. She was in love with this dress, no doubt. Cherisse could see why.

The entire top portion of the dress was this intricate lace pattern. The halter style showed off Ava’s toned arms. The skirt was a gorgeous ivory color and swished around Ava’s legs as she twirled. As her sister kept twirling, Cherisse got a look at the back, which dipped low, revealing a lot of skin.

It was a good thing the wedding wasn’t happening in a church because they’d definitely want Ava to toss a shawl or jacket or something over the top, which would have been a shame because that bodice needed to be seen. Cherisse wasn’t sure how her sister and Eric had pulled off not getting married in church. Her parents went to the Roman Catholic church in their area every Sunday and dragged Ava and Eric with them more often than not. They’d given up on getting Cherisse to go regularly. So Cherisse had expected her parents would push for a traditional church wedding. She’d have to ask Ava how she’d managed that magic.

“I have never been queerer in my entire life,” Remi muttered, and Cherisse bit her lip to keep her snort in.

“Stop lusting after my sister,” she mock-glared, elbowing Remi in the ribs.

“I’m not,” Remi insisted. “Just appreciating the gift that is woman.” She winked and continued to smile up at Ava from her seat.

“Eric’ll die.” Julia beamed at Ava, eyes a little shiny like she’d burst into tears any moment.

“Or cry,” Cherisse added. “You look gorg, sis. He’s not ready.”

Ava placed her hands on her hips, smile wide. “Good. If he doesn’t cry or at least gimme an open-mouthed gasp, I’m leaving him at the altar.”

That had everyone getting a good laugh in and Ava doing some more preening in front of the full-length mirror. Even some of the other customers complimented her. She truly looked stunning, even with her sunglasses pushed up atop her head and her eyes still a little squinty, courtesy of the hangover.

“He won’t know what hit him,” Cherisse assured her sister.

After donning her own clothes again, Ava whipped out a fancy-looking card that just screamed money and paid for the dress in full. At their raised brows, her sister smirked. “I’m not marrying him for his money, but it sure doesn’t hurt.” She winked at them, indicating it was time for the next order of business.