Almost Like Being in Love by Beth K. Vogt

on.”
    â€œI like this one, too.” Brooke turned a slow three-sixty, standing on her tiptoes in her navy-blue flip-flops.
    â€œDid all of you find that style in your size?”
    Caron couldn’t seem to push past the reality that Kade Webster was in Colorado, too. Of course she’d known that. Still remembered the night her father mentioned the news that Kade had left Florida to strike out on his own in Colorado, starting a realty company with a friend. How had she forgotten he was right here —and why hadn’t Margo told her that she and Ronny were using Kade as a Realtor? Her world suddenly felt small. Too small.
    Enough. Today was about Margo’s wedding. This trip had nothing to do with her ex-boyfriend. And Margo didn’t have plans to go house-hunting while Caron was in town. Did she?
    â€œCaron?” Margo’s voice pushed through the haze of questions whirring in her brain.
    â€œI’m sorry. What?”
    â€œDo you have the same style of dress as Brooke is wearing?”
    â€œI lost track. Maybe.” Caron riffled through the pile of dresses, the material soft against her fingers. So many purple hues. Maybe if she tried to name them all it’d help fend off any memories of Kade. Dating him was nothing but a momentary stop on her romantic journey to happily-ever-after with Alex.
    â€œWell, keep that style in mind. If we decide we want it, we can look again.” Margo rose to her feet and took a closer look at the dress Brooke wore. “I think it will look good on all of you.”
    The moment Brooke and Emma disappeared into the dressing room again, Caron turned to Margo. “Explain yourself.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou know what.Explain this failure to mention Kade Webster is your Realtor.”
    Her friend cleared her throat, tugging at her top. “It’s the craziest coincidence—”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œNo, really. One of my coworkers used Kade when she bought a house, and so when I mentioned Ronny and I wanted to buy a house, she recommended him.” Margo’s words tumbled out faster and faster. “She gave me his phone number, and I called him. We were talking before I realized—”
    Caron held up her hand, eyes closed. “Fine.”
    â€œFine? That’s all you have to say?”
    â€œWhat else am I supposed to say? It’s done. I’m just too tired for surprises today.”
    Almost three hours later, they’d conquered the madness on the dress sales floor. Four gowns labeled amethyst, boysenberry, antique fuchsia, and lavender were stowed in the trunk of Leslie’s car, and the escape to outside the convention center was a welcome relief—even if it was located in the middle of Denver.
    The bride-to-be declared it was time to visit vendors and consider reception decor, wedding cakes, and announcements.
    â€œThat was worth it.” Brooke linked her arm through Caron’s.
    â€œWe found bridesmaid dresses for under a hundred dollars apiece. I should say so.”
    And the topic of Kade Webster had been dropped. Fine. He was Margo’s Realtor. Caron was only here for a week. She could evade memories of the man for seven days.
    Caron bumped into Leslie, who had come to a halt just inside the event center doors. “What is going on?”
    â€œPrizes.” Leslie waved a ballpoint pen and a square entry form. “We’re entering for Margo. Saves us time.”
    â€œYou should enter, too.”Brooke gathered several squares of paper, digging through her purse for a pen.
    Caron tried to move around her friends. “Me? No. Margo’s the bride-to-be.”
    Margo blocked her path, handing her several entry forms and a pen. “That’s a brilliant idea. Go ahead and enter. You could win a wedding dress, jewelry, a photography package—the grand prize is some sort of destination wedding in Telluride. Wouldn’t it be fun if we both won