"Fortunately for this lovely creation"—Zander tapped his chest—"I got there at just the right time to rescue it. A woman in a Maserati was about to drop it off. She was actually looking for a Goodwill cart to stash it in. She may as well have just tossed it from the window as she whizzed by." He shuddered again.

  "But you know me. I can talk to anyone. I had a lovely conversation with her and got the whole scoop. She got it for a party, some kind of charity event. But she didn't even end up going."

  "She didn't return it?" I fingered the dress. It was exquisite. Rich in a way that's hard to describe.

  "She'd already had it tailored. You alter the dress, you keep it. Them's the rules." Zander nodded. "But she had the kind of money, you could just tell—"

  "The Maserati was probably a dead giveaway," I said.

  He ignored my interruption. "—that even if she hadn't altered it, it wasn't worth the effort of making the attempt to return it. You'll have that kind of money, too, my darling, if you land your billionaire. Play your cards right, Shelby. Reel him in. I'll do my best to see that you're dressed for the job."

  "And when I'm rich, I'll never forget the little people." I clasped my hands dramatically in front of me.

  "And your friends," Zander said.

  "And my true friends."

  "Continuing my story, the lady was determined to do good for charity. Give someone a delight when they found this treasure in the store. But you know it would never make it to the store floor. Not in a million years. Not if even one person in the chain had an eye for fashion."

  "So you convinced her you were a charity?" I teased.

  Zander grinned. "Better. I told her I had a lovely friend, practically a charity case herself, who would adore it to pieces as she nursed her broken heart. A friend for whom it would be life altering."

  "You appealed to her charitable nature," I said.

  "Exactly. And I could tell she was a romantic at heart. You know the type when you see them. Especially after being in the romance business for so long." He got a sly look. "And I offered her cash on the spot. For her trouble. Rich people never carry cash. I saved her a trip to the ATM. For which she was grateful."

  "Thoughtful of you."

  "What can I say? I'm a true gentleman."

  I absolutely believed his serendipitous story. I'd heard Zander's incredible tales of luck many times before. Zander has one of those charismatic personalities. Not only was he lucky, but he could charm a viper out of its venom. Especially if that viper was a fellow fashionista.

  He ran his hand over the gold-laced tulle. "Once again, sadly, not my size. If only I were younger." He put his hand over his heart.

  Or shorter. He was over six feet tall. Most dresses weren't his size.

  "I still can't afford it," I argued. "You could easily sell it for more than I can afford to pay."

  "You think it will be easy to find another woman just your size?" He shook his finger at me. "Fate has dropped this in our laps. Let's not spit in her face. Try it on. Then we'll talk."

  He didn't have to convince me. Trying on was free.

  Staci shooed him out of the dressing room. "I'll handle this."

  "I'll be waiting at the viewing platform with bated breath." Zander closed the door behind himself.

  As I slid out of my jeans and T-shirt, Staci pulled the dress from the rack. When I was ready, she helped me slide it over my head and slip into it.

  "Fortunately, it zips in the back," Staci said. "No lacing or corseting. The freer form of the dress will be much more comfortable for dancing. Hold still."

  I held my breath as she zipped.

  When she had me fully zipped, she clapped softly. "It's a perfect fit. Really. We had hoped it would be. But this is astonishing. Miraculous. It's like it was made for you. Turn around and take a look at yourself in the mirror."

  I did a slow turn, watching the skirt of the dress move and catch the light. The gold glittered like fireworks. When I saw my reflection, my hands flew to my mouth with a will of their own. "I can't believe it."

  I blinked. "I look better in it than I did in my wedding dress. With no fitting or alterations."

  Regrettably, because I just couldn't imagine a universe where I could afford it.

  Zander called from the bridal viewing area, "How's it going in there?"

  "We'd better show Zander before he bursts in here." Staci pushed open the door. "I'll bring the cape."

  I lifted my skirts as I walked to the elevated bridal dress platform in front of the large three-way mirrors.

  Zander sat in a viewing chair, waiting for us. He stood and clasped his hands in front of him as I walked in. He got tears in his eyes. "Beautiful. Just stunning. As I knew it would be. Fate has smiled on us." He snapped his fingers at Staci. "The cape."

  She handed it to him. It was to die for—lovely, flowing cream tulle laced with patterns of gold fireworks. It was full length with a full riding-type hood.

  When he slid it over my shoulders and tied the strings into a bow, I thought I might cry.

  "Yes," he said. "Exactly how I feel." He spun his finger.

  I turned in a slow circle, watching the cape flare and looking at myself from all angles. "I love it. I'm not going to lie."

  I did another turn and looked over my shoulder at myself in the three-way mirror. "The silk lining is cream. You don't think it's too white?"

  I was trying to talk myself out of it. It was cream with gold metallic details that gave it an overall gold sheen. But I worried…

  "Too white." Zander rolled his eyes. "Would I allow you to wear white to another woman's wedding? We never upstage a bride.

  "However, in this case, she'd better be dazzling if she wants to outshine you. But too white? No." He sounded completely confident.

  "Staci and I did a little research before you came. We have our inside sources, you know. Your bride, Miss Hudson, is apparently wearing bright white, clean lines, and classic satin. A totally different designer. Nothing close to gold."

  I held up the skirts of the dress, feeling like Cinderella or maybe Red Riding Hood. "But I can't afford it."

  "Negotiate, darling. Have I taught you nothing?" Zander clicked his tongue.

  I grinned at him. "You devil. You taught me everything. You already have a price in mind. What do you want for it? As long as it isn't my soul."

  His eyes danced. "Your wedding dress, my dear. A straight-up trade. The bad-luck wedding dress just as it is, grass stains, mud, and all. No cleaning. That will ruin the value."

  He waved at Staci. "Bring out our final bargaining tool. Show her the cute little bow-shaped purse that goes with the ensemble. I will throw it in at absolutely no cost. If you agree to my terms."

  "What?" I shook my head in disbelief as Staci handed me the most adorable tiny clutch purse. "If you pull out a pair of glass slippers, I'll have to pinch myself."

  "No glass slippers, alas," Zander said.

  "This dress, cape, and the purse?" Which I hadn't even negotiated for. "Together they have to retail for around eight thousand dollars. My dress was pricey, but it's stained." I admired the purse in my hand. It would be hard to let go of this.

  "Your bad-luck dress is an Internet sensation," Zander said. "I have a buyer."

  He paused. "I shouldn't tell you this—I'm only telling you to allay your guilt—but we'll come out ahead on the deal. I'll get more than what you're wearing would cost new."

  "Done," I said without hesitation.

  Chapter 10

  Shelby (Dress day trader, hamburger aficionado, nervous date anticipator.)

  When Fate smiles on you, she smiles on you.

  I should have lettered that and hung it in my office. Within an hour of getting home, Zander had sent someone over to deliver my new dress, cape, and purse, and pick up my bad-luck wedding dress.

  My sense of joy at getting rid of the wedding dress, which had come to feel like a noose around my neck, was surprising. I felt as if a giant weight had been lifted. And the new dress hanging in its place gave me such a sense of joy and optimism.

  I loved Zander and Staci. And owed them more than they knew. I hadn't felt this good and optimistic in months.

  Now that my outfit for the wedding was taken care of, I was free to plan the rest of my wardrobe for the weekend. Which actually required no effort at all—fortunately, I had a new set of luggage and lots of cute vacation wear that I'd bought for my honeymoon. I was set. And, best of all maybe, it was already packed and ready to go. I wasn't a last-minute packer. I'd been very efficient in getting ready for my now called-off wedding. And just as organized cancelling it.

  It had been so sweet of Zander and Staci to come to my aid. I hadn't gotten my wedding dress from them. They had understood that I had wanted new for my wedding. I had gotten a cute vintage sundress for my honeymoon from them, though. It was packed and ready to go for my weekend away.

  I guess, technically, I was over-packed for three days. But having choices was good. Very good.

  Everything was looking up.

  Before I knew it, it was time for Bella and me to head out to our date. If you could call it that. It was really more like a meeting between two fake daters.

  When I grabbed Bella's leash, she barked happily. "I know. You still feel slighted I didn't take you to see Zander and Staci. Sometimes you're such a princess. I think you like Zander better than me. He spoils you too much."

  He had sent me home with a doggy treat for Bella. Zander had two Corgis of his own. He knew how to spoil them.

  I snapped Bella's leash onto her collar. "I want you to behave yourself tonight. It's absolutely essential that you impress Dex."

  Bella barked like she understood.

  "He's Charlie's owner, you know. We might be having puppies together. If you want to see the potential father of your potential children again, you better play nice."

  I grabbed my keys. "Feel free to flirt with Dex. But no begging. You know fries aren't good for your figure."

  The evening was still pleasant, but cooling. The weather forecast for Memorial Weekend was good—warm, for here, and sunny. It had been risky planning a Memorial Weekend wedding. So often the weather was rainy. But it looked like this year would be different. So, of course, I had cancelled my wedding.

  As we walked up California Avenue, people were out enjoying the beautiful evening. All the outdoor seating at restaurants along the street were teeming with diners. The hanging baskets on the streetlamps were bursting with late spring color.

  My favorite busker, Rae, was in her usual spot in front of the frame and gift store. Her voice was sweet as it floated over the melody of her guitar. I tossed a couple dollars in her guitar case.

  She paused to talk to me and bent down to pet Bella. "Thanks. Haven't seen you two for a while. Hey there, girl."

  I'd been hiding out. "Been busy."

  "Yeah. Me too. It's good to see you." She scratched Bella behind her ears.

  Bella always attracted a lot of attention. It was hard to go anywhere with her in a hurry. Which was why I had allowed myself plenty of time for our "commute."

  "You look nice," Rae said to me.

  "Bella and I are going out for burgers."

  "At Soundview?" she asked.

  I nodded.

  "Nice night for it. I heard it was busy there earlier."

  "Yeah. I hope we can get a table. We're meeting a friend."

  Rae nodded. "Hey. I'm sorry about your wedding. You okay?"

  "You saw the video?" It wasn't really a question. Everybody had seen the video.

  "Don't let it get you down. I'm glad you're getting out. You gotta do what's right for you. Run with your feelings. Ignore the trolls and critics." She gave me a little chin lift kind of nod.

  That was the way it had been around here—people expressing their concern for me. People I thought wouldn't care—the barista at the coffee shop I frequented, the girl with the rainbow hair who worked the counter at the cupcake shop, the woman behind the counter at the gluten-free bakery—all of them were sweet and sympathetic. It was touching and offset the online critics.

  I was healing, I realized. I was able to face people again. For being part of a large city, we were a surprisingly small, tight community here.

  "Have fun with your friend. I hope he's hot." Rae winked.

  How did she know I was meeting a guy? Then it hit me—by how much I'd fixed myself up. Burgers at Soundview with friends didn't require makeup. It was a barefaced, ponytail kind of place. I hadn't meant to be so obvious.

  My heart pounded as we approached Soundview Burgers. Soundview was small, with limited seating inside, and an even smaller, fenced outdoor eating area barely larger than the width of the sidewalk. It was on the street side adjacent to the sidewalk, convenient for people-watching. Calling it an eating area made it sound grander than it was. Maybe ten people could eat out there on benches and picnic tables?

  Dex, his feet propped up on the fence of the eating area as he sat, was waiting for us. He was dressed casually in jeans and tennis shoes, and still he looked good enough to gobble up. He was playing around on his phone.

  As we got close, Bella stopped and sniffed the air. She lifted her head and spotted him. She paused again. Had she smelled him? She barked, happy and excited—more excited than I'd ever seen her. Except maybe when she was with Charlie. Did she smell Charlie on him?

  She suddenly took off at a charge, dragging me along with her like she was the one taking me for a walk. She was small enough to duck under the lowest rung of the fence where Dex's feet were propped—which left me leashed on the other side.

  Dex looked up just in time to be happily attacked by one excited Corgi scratching at his leg, trying to climb up into his lap.

  Yeah, I knew that feeling. His lap looked pretty good to me, too.

  "Hey! Who's this beauty?" Dex's gaze met mine for an instant before he set his phone down and leaned down to pet Bella. "You must be Bella? You are a flirt, aren't you?"

  He held his hand out for her leash.

  I slid it to him beneath the fence. He caught it and scooped Bella into his lap. He knew how to handle dogs. He petted and stroked her just the way she loved.

  Bella couldn't contain herself. She pawed at his shirt and jumped up and licked and kissed Dex's face.

  He laughed. "Quite the greeting. I'm not usually so popular with the ladies."

  Bella barked happily.

  My heart melted. Must love dogs.

  I'd never seen Bella react like that to anyone before. "What did you do? Roll around in essence of Charlie before you came?"

  Dex laughed. "I wish I'd thought of that. I would have if I'd known I'd get this kind of welcome."

  Our eyes met again. I swallowed hard. Was it possible that Bella remembered him from when she was a puppy in Vegas? She'd been so small and frightened. Shaking. And he'd calmed her. And me.

  "She's a gorgeous Corgi." He held her up to his face. "Aren't you?"

  She kissed him again. Was my own dog trying to make me jealous?

  "She must get a lot of attention." He was still studying her.

  "Tons." I tried to be casual.

  His eyes narrowed. For a second, I thought he might be remembering her. But that was crazy. She'd only been a tiny puppy. I wasn't sure whether I should be even crazier jealous that he looked closer to recognizing her than me.

  "I can see what Charlie sees in you," he cooed to her in a deep, sexy voice. He looked up at me. "Will you hit me if I say it would be a crying shame if she and Charlie don't have puppies together? Can you imagine how cute they'll be?"

  "I don't think I could hit anybody over that statement. Not when it's the truth. They'd be adorable."

  He stood, still holding Bella, but his gaze was on me. "Are you hungry?"

  "Starving." Wasn't that the truth?

  "Come on." He stood with Bella, who insisted on kissing him again. The little floozie. "Mind if I carry her?"

  "Be my guest."

  We headed inside and ordered at the counter. Soundview has a very limited menu—burgers and more burgers. Hand-shaped patties. With cheese, or without. With grilled onions, or without. The only real variation was the PB&J burger. And you can order with shoestring fries or without. And they have pop, water, or beer.

  Dex ordered like a pro, as if he was already familiar with the place. He opted for the PB&J burger, which was loaded with spicy jelly. That scored big points in my book. I loved peanut butter. Which Mitch hated. It was a small point, but it was a good sign.

  We carried our burgers outside and watched the sun sling low over Puget Sound as we shared an extra-large order of shoestring fries and ate our burgers.

  Dex tried to hand Bella back to me, but she wasn't hearing it. She dug in on his lap.

  "I'm sorry," I said, frowning at Bella. "I've never seen her take to anyone like this before. You might have to keep her." I gave Bella the stink eye and laughed.

  "I'm flattered. I wouldn't mind at all. Charlie would be overjoyed." Dex held up a bite of his hamburger patty for my permission to feed to Bella.

  I nodded.

  She lapped it up from his fingers, lucky girl.

  "Dogs love me," he said with a shrug. "Which made founding Puppy Love a natural fit for me. This business is heavily web-based and high-tech. And involves dogs. I have a computer science and engineering degree with a business development minor. It's all good." He fed Bella another bite of burger. "You?"

  I grinned. "Icebreaker questions? I have a degree in graphic arts with a business minor."

  "Good. I'll put that in your dossier." He didn't sound like he was teasing. "How did it go at the breeder this morning? Did this pretty girl get some?"

  Oh, the breeder. Yeah.

  "In a way. But it was kind of clinical." I had to suppress a shudder. "The stud needed help getting his woo-hoo into Bella. And then with the turn. For all his supposed experience, he, obviously, isn't the lover dog Charlie is. He seemed a bit aloof to me—and arrogant, as if he expected to be waited on during his sexual favors. You know, like a king of old who had to have his butt wiped by a servant. Creepy."