GIRL NIGHT WAS A FAVORITE EVENT. IT OFTEN INVOLVED DINNER and DVDs, popcorn, gossip, and always just the ease and comfort of friends in a tradition that went back to childhood. The addition of Emma’s possible wedding dress was, well, the icing on the cake. Anticipating an indulgent evening, Laurel ended the workday by setting her kitchen to rights as Emma came in.

“I thought I might catch you here.”

“Just finishing up,” Laurel told her.

“I have a request for cupcakes, two dozen. Two weeks,” Emma added quickly. “So at least the client didn’t squeeze it too close. It’s my cousin. Coworker’s office baby shower. The only directive was cute.”

“Boy or girl?”

“Surprise, so not gender specific. Really whatever you want.”

“Okay. Put it on the board.”

“I appreciate it.” Emma added the order and date to Laurel’s task board. “What’s this?” She tapped the electronic list maker.

“Del gave me a present.”

“Oh, that’s so nice. What did he give you?”

“That. It’s so cool. Watch this.” She walked over, pushed Record. “Unsalted butter. I programmed that in. See, there it is. I push this, and it’s on the list.”

Emma just stared. “This is a present?”

“Yes. I know to your way of thinking a present from a guy isn’t a present unless it’s shiny. But I can hot glue some sequins on it if it makes you feel better.”

“It doesn’t have to be shiny. It can also smell good. Well, it’s thoughtful, and you like it, so it’s a nice gift. What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion.”

“Oh, just a gimme? That definitely bumps up the ranking.”

“It’s going to fall on your scoreboard when I tell you he got Mrs. G one, too.”

“Well, jeez!” Firm on this, Emma fisted her hands on her hips. “I’m sorry, it falls to the token category. A present has to be a one-on-one under these circumstances. It’s a thoughtful token. This, my friend, is a present.” She lifted her arm to dangle the bracelet Jack had given her. “The earrings Carter gave Mac forValentine’s Day? That’s a present. I fear Del requires some training.”

“He would if he were your boyfriend.”

“Del’s your boyfriend!” With a laugh, Emma grabbed Laurel to dance her in a circle.

“That sounds so high school.There has to be another term.”

“Why are we dancing?” Parker wondered as she stepped in.

“Del is Laurel’s boyfriend, and he gave her a token. I’m sorry, it’s just not present-worthy. Look.”

Parker went over. “Oh! I’ve seen these. I want one.”

“Of course you do,” Emma said with a sigh. “You’re his sister. But would you consider it a gift, especially if he gave one to Mrs. G, too?”

“Hmm. It does fall in the murky area. But it’s thoughtful, and very appropriate for Laurel.”

“There.” Emma lifted a finger in triumph. “That’s what I said. Here’s Mac. Mac, we need a tiebreaker.”

“For what? And what are we doing in here? This is Girl Night.”

“We need to clear this up first. Is this a gift or a token?” Emma gestured.

“What the hell is it?”

“See, token.You never have to ask what a present is. Parker, tell Del to buy Laurel something pretty.”

“No. Stop it.” Laurel gave Emma a shove, but she had to laugh. “I like it. If you like it, all rules are off, and it’s a present.”

“What the hell is it?” Mac asked again.

“It’s an electronic organizer for marketing and errands,” Parker explained. “I want one, too. Why didn’t Del buy me one? I like presents.”

“Token,” Emma insisted.

“You don’t need another organizer,” Laurel told Parker.

Mac continued to frown at it. “For God’s sake don’t show it to Carter. He’ll want one, then he’ll want me to use it.”

“Del bought one for Mrs. G, too, so Carter’s bound to see it,” Emma commented.

“Damn it.”

“This is entirely too much controversy over my new toy. I’m going upstairs.”

“Is Mrs. G making pizza?” Emma wondered. “I’ve been thinking all day about Mrs. G’s pizza and a large quantity of wine.”

“We’ll get to it, but we’ve got something to do first.”

“Not work.” Emma grabbed Parker’s arm. “I’m so ready for carbs and alcohol and girls.”

“Not work, exactly. I happened to pick something up today for approval. You’ll need to see it.”

“What did you ... Oh! Oh!” Now Emma spun Parker in a dance. “My wedding dress? Did you find my dress?”

“Maybe. And to follow a recent tradition, we’re in the Bride’s Suite.”

“This is the best surprise. The best.”

“If it doesn’t work for you ... ” Parker began as Emma pulled her up the stairs.

“It’ll still be the best surprise. Oh, I’m nervous.” She stopped outside the door of the Bride’s Suite. “I’m really nervous. Okay, here we go.” She reached for the door, pulled her hand back. “I can’t open it. Somebody else open it.”

Laurel pushed open the door. “In you go,” she said, then gave Emma a shove.

Emma gasped, then pressed a hand to her lips.

Parker never missed, Laurel thought. The dress was Emma. Romantic and fanciful with its acres of frothy skirts, with just a hint of sexy in the sparkle of the deeply off-the-shoulder bodice. A garden of fabric roses bloomed on the warm white of the elaborate pick-up skirt and along the sweeping train fit for a princess.

“It’s a fairy tale,” Emma managed. “Oh, Parker, it’s a fairy tale.”

“Have some of this.” Mrs. Grady, who’d been waiting with champagne, handed a flute to Emma. “No crying with champagne. You’ll water it down.”

“It’s the most beautiful dress in the world.”

“You have to try it on. Strip it off, Em,” Laurel ordered. “Parker and I will help you. Mac’s documenting.”