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felt more like a grimace. Even with a week to prepare herself, this day and the task ahead left her anxious. Her thoughts wandered out of the boutique, across the street, and into the coffee shop. The further her mind wandered, the clammier her skin felt.
    “If you'll change, I can put the dress away and schedule your final fitting.”
    Charlie nodded, stepping into the dressing room. Her eyes flicked to her purse. An envelope peeked out of the top.
    Acquiring the invitation had been easy. All she needed to do was grab the extra one sitting on Margaret’s desk. What hadn’t been easy was getting Nemo’s name on the guest list. She had to choose between asking Margaret or the event coordinator to add the name. What it really boiled down to was either to deal with Margaret now or when the coordinator ran the name by her for approval. She decided to cut out the middleman, taking the verbal beating head on.
    “How can you spring another guest on me so close to the party? And who is this person? What kind of a name is Nemo? He must be another vagabond like that Drew you’re so fond of.”
    Charlie listened to her mother without commenting. By the end of the ordeal, Nemo’s name appeared on the list. With that task complete, all that remained was to deliver the invitation. Her stomach dropped at the thought.
    She stepped out of the dressing room, handing the garment over to the sales woman. In less time than she would have liked she stood outside the coffee shop, peering through the window at the barista.
    She was average height with broad shoulders and a warm smile. She’d pulled her brown hair back in a ponytail that swung back and forth as she moved. Charlie couldn’t imagine how this normal girl could be involved with the gruff man who’d cornered her on the street. The girl glanced her way. A flicker of recognition passed across her face. Her smile turned hard, as if glued in place. Leaving wasn’t an option. Charlie had been seen.
    After a moment to steady herself, she walked inside. The shop smelled of espresso and warm, sweet bread. Most days this combination would make Charlie’s mouth water, but today it made her nauseous. She stood in line, pulling the envelope out of her bag. Her sweaty hands left wet fingerprints on the paper, but she didn’t care. The sooner she got this over with, the better. Three people stood between her and the register. Three people, then she could try to forget any of this ever happened.
    Someone called her name and her heart stuttered in her chest. Turning, Charlie spotted Cornelia Prescott waving enthusiastically. Her pulse slowed a fraction as she recognized the tall, blonde beauty. Cornelia, the daughter of the Councilman from the Province of Illinois, was a good friend of Ruth’s.
    Cornelia flounced over to Charlie, a bright smile on her face. “Charlotte!” she cried again, leaning in and kissing Charlie on both cheeks.
    She stiffened with discomfort at the familiar gesture. “Cornelia, how are you?” She prayed her anxiety wasn’t obvious.
    “Fine, fine. Life with the company has been grueling.” She punctuated her words with a flip of her hair. “For our fall season, we’re doing all original plays. One of them is even a musical. The hours are completely insane.”
    Charlie glanced at the line; she still had two more customers before her turn. “It must be exhausting.”
    Cornelia sighed dramatically. “It is, it is. All that dancing and singing and such. But what about you? How have you been?” Her eyes lit up and she continued speaking, not giving Charlie a chance to answer the question. “Your coming-out is right around the corner. I can’t wait. There will be so many handsome, single men there.” She winked.
    “I’m sure.”
    An awkward pause settled between the two. Cornelia’s eyes moved around the coffee shop as if looking for something to say, eventually coming up with, “So, what are you doing out and about today?”
    Charlie looked back to the