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gotten off Flashionista shortly before we "got married." And a pair of spectacular platform sandals in nude with rhinestone bows that Jus had brought home for me from the merch buyers stock of samples specifically to wear on the show. The shoes were going to be featured on the Flash site this very day. We hoped me wearing them would be good for sales. I looked so much like the quintessential Flashionista girl. I could have stepped from the pages of their daily digital catalogue.
    Sheri greeted me with a hug. "Look at you! Beautiful! Just like a young bride should be. Doesn't she look fabulous?" She turned to the audience for confirmation.
    More applause.
    I hadn't had a chance to meet Sheri before the show. Some last-minute emergency she had to attend to. Usually, at least in every show I'd seen, Sheri was dressed in something seasonally fun and stylish. Today, like me, she was dressed as a fashionable wedding guest. Flash's stylists had sent a selection of outfits over for Sheri. In exchange for a sponsor thanks at the end of the show. It had been my suggestion. The more advertising, the better.
    I recognized the dress she was wearing as the most severe of the selection. We'd sent her everything from whimsical and flirty, to staid and traditional. Although the flared skirt of her dress gave it a fun air, she erred on the side of staid and traditional. To the point she could decently be confused for a newsroom anchor. Her hair was up in a severe, businesslike French twist. A few loose tendrils would have softened it. I itched to pull a few free. Even her lipstick was darker than usual.
    She took a seat on the sofa and patted the place next to her, smiling brightly. I should have felt surprisingly at ease. Sheri had that bubbly, enthusiastic way that makes for good TV. But something felt off to me. I hoped she wasn't having a bad day.
    As I smiled at the audience, Magda gave me a thumbs-up from the front row.
    I had a communications minor and had done some work with the university's TV station, so I wasn't a complete neophyte. I knew all about sound bites and how words and quotes could be taken out of context. I was representing Flashionista and Jus as much as myself. So I was properly armed for battle. Not like it seemed like there was going to be one. Sheri was perfectly pleasant and always harmless. But I was ready for anything.
    "Kayla, best wishes from all of us! You're the envy of every single girl in Seattle right now. Their inspiration. You came out of nowhere and snagged one of Seattle's most eligible, and richest, bachelors. I have it on good authority from a friend of mine, a confidential source, who works for the magazine that makes the yearly list of Seattle's hottest bachelors, that she's devastated. So much of her work down the drain now. Justin was going to be featured as one of Seattle's hottest men this September, right along with, shall we say"—Sheri winked—"several of his friends who've received the honor in past years. You've ruined her story." She paused.
    Jus made the list? Really? Before I got my hands on him and prettied him up? That seemed like a stretch. Was I supposed to answer? Defend myself? I smiled and shrugged good-naturedly. "Love happens!"
    Sheri nodded sagely. "Well, I think we can at least partly attribute Justin's new, hot look to you. Pictures of him since your marriage show a happy, well-groomed, well -dressed guy. Quite a difference from a few months ago. We're all dying to hear what it's like to go from rags to riches?"
    I fixed a smile on my face. The little minx was trying to trap me and make me look like I went after Jus for his money. Who did she suddenly think she was? She'd turned into a Cokie Roberts clone, going for the journalistic kill and the inside story.
    "I wasn't in rags." I kept my head high. "I come from an upper middle-class family. Mom's a lawyer. Dad's a doctor. I'm a young professional—"
    "Who worked part time at a small, struggling men's underwear company."