Emma smiled and nodded. “I believe that. I have to believe that. My wedding just won’t be the same without my little sister standing there beside me.”

Des wished she had closer ties to her brother and sister. It sucked not having the draw to family other people did. Other than Colt, she had never bonded with anyone. Colt was close with Sarah and Callie, but they were on the periphery of her life. She wanted girlfriends like Emma, Jane, and Chelsea.

Maybe it was time to put down roots and settle down somewhere, start making some friends.

“You should come to the wedding, Des,” Emma said.

Des’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Seriously. We’d love to have you come.”

“Oh, that would be so much fun,” Chelsea said. “You’re part of our pack now. You have to come.”

“Say you will, Des,” Emma said. “I mean, of course, depending on your schedule.”

Des wanted to cry. Right there in the salon with one of the nail technicians smiling up at her as she painted her toenails, Des wanted to cry.

“You really want me to come to your wedding?”

“Of course I do. You can even bring a date.”

“Yeah, like Logan,” Chelsea said with a wink. “He’ll be the best man, so you know he’s definitely going to be there.”

“Oh, well. Logan. Uh. I don’t think he’d want to bring me to the wedding.”

“After the way the two of you were together at the party on the Fourth? Why not?” Emma looked confused.

“I sense a story brewing,” Jane said. “Is something up with you and Logan? Or should we all just mind our own business?”

She’d told Colt, one of her best friends for years, to mind his. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it.

“Let’s have dinner somewhere and we’ll talk.”

“Are you sure you want to get out there in public?” Chelsea asked.

She didn’t, but she wasn’t going to gossip in the salon. Especially about Logan.

“I have an idea,” Emma said. “We’ll call in an order and have dinner at my place. We’ll send Luke over to your place, Jane. He can hang with Will and the kids.”

“Sounds like a great idea.”

After they finished hair and makeup, Francine took photos of them all together, then a few of Des by herself, and with Francine. Des paid for all of them, much to Emma’s dismay.

“Hey, we invited you. This was our invite and we were going to pay.”

“But this was such a treat for me today. It’s my pleasure to take care of the bill.”

“Well, thank you,” Jane said. “But we’re buying dinner.”

Des grinned. “You’re on.”

After thanking Francine and her staff, they headed over to Emma’s place. As they came inside, the dogs bounded over. Des bent and petted Annie and Daisy.

“How was spa day?” Luke asked.

“Great,” Jane said, laying her purse on the counter. “We were pampered from our toes to our hair.”

“I can tell. You all look beautiful,” he said, though his gaze settled only on Emma

Emma grabbed Luke by the shirt and gave him quite the hot kiss.

Des had to admit it made her a little jealous to see the fire and passion between them, the easy way they were with each other.

Chelsea fluffed her hair. “Thanks.”

“Oh, I bought a few bottles of wine. And some tequila and mix, in case you want to make some margaritas.”

“No wonder you’re going to marry this guy,” Des said. “He thinks of everything.”

Emma slanted a very hot look toward Luke. “Indeed he does. And thank you, babe.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Okay, you two. Enough of the mushy stuff. Out the door with you, Luke,” Chelsea said, giving him a playful shove. “You have fun with Will and the kids.”

“I intend to.” He turned to Emma. “And I’m taking the dogs with me, if you don’t mind. Will suggested Archie might enjoy Daisy and Annie playing with him.”

“That sounds like a great idea. They both love Archie.”

Luke nodded. “Okay, then. Here are the rules: Have a great time, but no dancing on the table naked unless there’s video for me to watch later, Em.”

She laughed, then squeezed his hand. “Thanks for doing this.”

“No problem.” He brushed his lips across hers, gave her a lingering look that melted Des’s feet to the floor, then disappeared.

“Wow,” Jane said. “Are you sure you don’t want us to leave and Luke can stay?”

Emma grinned. “Oh, I’ll be thanking him for his cooperation later.”

“I’ll just bet you will,” Chelsea said. “In the meantime, let’s do something about getting dinner ordered.”

They decided on Italian food, and Jane ran to pick it up while Chelsea opened the bottles of wine, and Emma cleared her paperwork off the table. By the time Jane came back with the food, the wine had been poured and the table had been set.

Des realized she was hungry. Apparently so were the rest of them. They dove into the food, a delicious combination of spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and a magnificent salad.

They drank wine and talked. Mainly, Des listened while the rest of them talked.

“And then I had a surgery yesterday that was exhausting. I’m getting my share of orthopedic surgical experience. In fact, one of my mentors from college in South Carolina is doing a class on new techniques in veterinary orthopedic surgery in September. I’m going to attend it.”

“Oh, Emma, that’s great,” Jane said. “Is that the Dr. Moore you’re always talking about?”

Emma nodded. “I had him for four classes in vet school, and I don’t know that I would have made it through without him.” Emma turned to Des. “Some of those instructors were ass**les that couldn’t care less whether you passed or failed. Dr. Moore saved my life, always encouraged me to push through, no matter how hard it was.”

Des nodded. “I’ve had a few mentors through the years, too. Directors and casting agents can be brutal. Sometimes all it takes are a few kind words. In my business, you don’t always get a part, especially one you want badly. My agent especially has been my lifesaver. I couldn’t imagine having made it in this business without her.”