"Casual to formal," Amelia ordered from her chair. "That way we see the progression."
"If you say so."
"When are you leaving for New York?" Marsali asked.
Izzy stared down at the luxurious cashmere sweater dress paired with flesh-colored leggings that had the look of black tights over skin, and above-the-knee boots. That was some serious layering. And for a warm-weather girl, totally necessary to combat the cold. She was thankful her friends knew these things ahead of time. "Um, Sunday. He mentioned going Sunday evening."
In short order, she had everything on and zipped up the boots after leaning against the bed to pull them on. She straightened and walked to the floor-length mirror. The outfit was stunning. She looked professional and…
"Sexy but understated. He'llloveit," Marsali said with an approving nod.
"Do I want to be sexy?" she asked while meeting Amelia's watchful gaze in the mirror. "I mean, Everett and I are just...friends."
"Are you going to tell her or do I have to break the news to her?" Amelia said to Marsali.
"Tell me what?" Izzy asked.
Marsali stood and moved closer to add a wrap to her shoulders to finish the look. One peek at the mirror and she knew this one was a must pack.
"That men like Everett don't do things like this…unless he's really into you, Izzy. Now the question is, how much do you like him?"
Izzy shifted her gaze from Marsali to Amelia and found her friend staring at her with a searching expression.
"You know," Amelia said softly, "it occurs to me that maybe Marsali should be allowed in on your little secret."
"Secret? What secret?"
Marsali's full attention and excitement left Izzy fumbling for words. She'd told Amelia in confidence, and while Marsali had a seriously fantastic knack for matchmaking, the more people who knew what had happened in Vegas, the more likely it was to get out. "Um..."
"Oh. It's okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Marsali said. "But believe me when I say I'm the gatekeeper of secrets. Anything you tell me will not be shared. Otherwise I wouldn't have clients," she said with a wink.
"You can trust her, Iz. And Marsali might be able to help you," Amelia stated, hands patting her belly. "She's really good."
"Tell you what," Marsali said, "think about it while you take that off and try the next one."
In short order, Izzy found herself stripping down and trying a pair of black slacks with a black top and camel-colored topcoat. It looked sleek and sophisticated but was comfortable, too.
"That's another yes," Marsali said with a firm nod. "You're two for two, girl."
Unable to stand it any longer, Izzy handed off the coat and pulled the top over her head while Marsali prepped outfit number three. "Everett and I accidentally got married in Vegas."
A bomb going off couldn't have created as much impact as her words.
"I'm sorry, what?" Marsali asked. "Did you just say—"
"Yup."
"She so did," Amelia added, her voice laced with amusement as she watched Marsali’s reaction.
Marsali delicately cleared her throat and tilted her head to one side.
"Just how does one go aboutaccidentallygetting married?"
Izzy explained as quickly and coherently as she could only to watch Marsali lower herself to the edge of the bed like she'd gotten weak in the knees.
"Wow. And now you're..."
"Just friends," Izzy said.