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never going to pick a dress,” Irene muttered, digging through her own bag. “Does anyone have a Life Saver orsomething? I’m starving.”
    Mellie just kicked her. Irene kicked back.
    They heard Cassie chattering quietly to the dressing attendant in the back, and Anya got her phone out. “Mellie,” she said softly, trusting the younger of the two to follow directions without fuss. “Mellie, please get your phone out and start taking photos the second Cassie comes out.”
    “Why?” she started to ask, then just nodded and got her phone out.
    “And neither of you make a sound, do you understand? I mean it. Irene, I don’t care if you hate the dress she walks out in next. You say nothing, even if you have to fake sick and go to the bathroom. Understood?” Anya shot the older, remaining sister a hard look.
    Irene shrugged and sank back in the couch as if she didn’t care, but Anya could see the tightening around her young mouth.
    Then, quietly, she dialed Cassie’s mother’s number on FaceTime. It rang, and she silently begged her to pick up. Sandra Wainwright did, just as Cassie called out, “Here I come!”
    Anya waved at Cassie’s mother, put her finger to her lips as Sandra started to say something, then turned the phone around so it was facing the runway.
    Cassie walked out, her smile uncertain as she headed for the platform at the end of the runway. Lightweight and frothy, the dress showed movement as her friend walked, but wasn’t so big and heavy that it caused problems. The sweetheart bodice morphed into a sheer neckline and straps with lace detailing, echoing the same on the back. It was simple and understated, with just the right amount of fuss to make it special.
    The dress was perfect, and Anya knew Cassie felt it by the way she carried herself in it. Then Cassie let the skirts fall into place and did a slow turn. “What do you think?”
    It was the first time she’d asked so hesitantly. Anya knew, the way a best friend of a million years did, that it meant she’d found the one, and was terrified of rejection.
    Mellie just breathed in a thick gasp and took some photos. Irene sat up straighter, hands on her knees, eyes softening, but stayed blessedly quiet.
    “Uh, guys?” Cassie turned to the mirrors in front of her, then looked over her shoulder. “So?”
    “You look beautiful.”
    Cassie’s hand flew to her mouth and she whirled around. Anya felt a smug moment of triumph as her normally klutzy best friend managed to move with ease in the dress. It was a sign. “Mom? What, where . . .”
    “Here, sweetie,” Sandra said from the phone.
    Anya stepped forward, holding the phone out toward the bride-to-be.
    Cassie’s mother sniffed. “You look . . . oh, baby, you look like an angel.”
    “Mom.” Cassie’s eyes welled up, and Anya regretted her mother couldn’t be there for the fitting. But in her first yearas principal, Sandra couldn’t take off days so early in the school year, and Cassie wasn’t willing to take enough days off to travel back to Atlanta.
    “Here.” Anya handed her the phone and stepped back to give them a moment together, such as it was. She sat beside Mellie, who kept taking photos. “That’s probably enough,” she whispered, asking for the phone. Mellie handed it over without complaint. Anya scrolled through the dozens of photos, picked a few of the best, and texted them to herself for later.
    “She looks awesome,” Mellie breathed.
    “It’s okay,” Irene added, which was basically a glowing reference from her.
    Anya just watched, her heart clenching a little, as her best friend showed off her wedding dress to her mother with a little help from technology.

Chapter Four
    Three days after their game, Josiah slid into a booth across from Cassie and Trey at the deli near the Bobcats’ home office. The employees of the deli knew the team and support staff well, and never let them be bothered. “You two look happy. Too happy. What’s up?”
    “Well,