She watched two men she’d recognize anywhere cross the lawn, neither of whom sported any element of pastel. Rand, with his hair now more salt than pepper, his hands shoved into trousers, that nonchalant stroll. Leo with his back to Joey, striding toward the pool.

Siya turned. “Is that…?”

“Yep.” Joey watched the worlds before they collided. Bea in an elaborate flower crown, flirting with the bartender. Lily perched on the Newmans’ limestone coping, taking a selfie. Just then, a woman in a sheath dress with impressive biceps tapped Joey’s shoulder—she was Dot’s Pilates instructor, did Joey remember her?

The evening began to blur. It could have been the lingering sadness from the catastrophic family dinner, followed by G’s horrific revelations. It could have been Joey’s three glasses of champagne, which she didn’t usually love or throw back, but the stuff they were serving was goooood. Or it could have been her eyes darting from Lily and Rand to Lily and Leo to Bea and Rand, the latter of whom chatted animatedly at a high-top table for at least an hour. Then there was the cordial reunion of Rand and Scott, which Joey watched while half participating in a conversation about monograms with the entire Lilly Pulitzer Fan Club. That there existed such polarizing opinions about monograms surprised her. Sisters #1 and #2 had nearly brawled.

“So.” Lily sidled up to Joey, and the sisters clinked their glasses together. “I met Rand, Jo. It was weird.”

“I can imagine.”

“He’s going to stay the week after your wedding. He wants to get to know me.”

“Good. He should. How do you feel about it, Lil?”

Lily fiddled with her dress strap. “I dunno. Maybe two dads will be even cooler than one?”

“Yeah. Totally. Twice as much annoying commentary on your life choices.”

“Twice as many comments about my spending habits.”

“Twice the betrayals.”

“Twice the birthday presents!”

They laughed together.

“You know, we have the same laugh, Joey. Everyone says. Even Rand said.”

“Well, we’re sisters,” said Joey. “You’re not getting rid of me.”

“Of course I’m not,” said Lily. “I live with you now.”

“Right,” said Joey. “Right.”

“Hey, Joey, can I say something sisterly? I saw the painting at Edith’s party last night.”

“Oh?” Joey had completely forgotten Lily would be there. She grabbed a seared ahi tuna crostini from a waiter scurrying by.

“Joey, you still love Leo, don’t you?”

Joey froze. She watched Grant hug G. She felt the presence of Leo somewhere behind her, closer to the house. “Of course I don’t. That’s ridiculous. I painted a painting I started a long time ago. I had such little time, I had to make do.”

“Joey, it’s me. Real talk. Sister-to-sister. You don’t paint that face, those eyes, if you’re not in—”

“Lil, I love you, but I need you to stop talking!”