Part 11 (1/2)

I squirmed. I was pretty sure that Allie and Haven each had private baths they didn't have to share with anyone. Not to mention separate guest quarters for any guests lucky enough to have to pee at their house.

”Last chance!” DiDi winked and then clicked the door shut.

We heard the shower start.

”What's Double G?” Allie asked again.

Haven put a hand on my arm. ”Did you and Trip break up?”

”Is he going out with Mace now?” Allie said.

I pulled away. Then regretted it. ”No. We're just friends and Mace is just a friend. I mean, they've known each other since they were little and... and...”

Haven reached out and patted my arm. And I started to think that even if she didn't know how I felt, maybe she really wanted to.

”Do you-do you still want to make some plans for Stargazers while we're waiting for DiDi?” she said.

I nodded. I didn't know what else to do. I tried my best to sound involved in everything the girls were saying, but truth is I didn't hear a word. Which was just as well, because after a few minutes, Allie and Haven gave up and started talking about other things.

”Will your mom bring back goodies from the conference?” Allie asked.

”Yes!” said Haven. ”I'll bring you a goody bag. Do you want a goody bag, too, Leia?”

I came out of my fog. ”Goody who?”

”Goody bag. My mom is at this huge conference, looking at all the new colors coming out next year. You know, for the city store? She's always bringing back loads of awesome new stuff. But some of it's gross, too-Al, do you remember when she brought all that purple-y lipstick home last year? Ew!” She and Allie screamed.

”Lipstick,” I said.

”It totally made you look like you'd been eating dirt, Leia. It was the worst.”

Allie sighed. ”I hope this year is more a sparkly pink year.”

”Yeah, or I don't mind purple-just more for nail polish than lips.”

I looked at the two of them, happy and chatting away.

I pictured DiDi happily listening to Mace talk on the phone all night.

Then I took a breath.

”Does your mom-would your mom know if a company decided to bring back an old lipstick?”

Allie made a face. ”Old?”

”Like colors they don't make anymore.”

Haven shrugged. ”I'll ask. I remember this one time there was a color that they brought back for, like, an anniversary or something. There were signs all over the place.”

Allie looked at me. ”Is there a lipstick you can't live without, Leia? You don't seem like the makeup-y type.”

”No... I just had this idea....” I glanced at the bathroom door and lowered my voice. ”For a special birthday gift for DiDi... a surprise.”

The girls looked excited.

”Tell us!” Haven whispered. ”Let us help!”

”Really?” I said.

”Yes! What can we do?” Allie was jumping up and down.

I guessed this was what it was like to have girlfriends. So I put away my agenda for the Stargazers. The girls and I huddled together on our old sofa, and I told them about Mama and Cherries in the Snow.

You know, it's funny how you never really know how special any occasion is going to be till you're in the middle of it. Like, in all honesty, I had really only invited Haven and Allie over so I'd have an excuse not to go to that stupid tailgate with Trip and his future rock star girlfriend, Mace. And here, for the first time ever, I was talking to someone other than DiDi about Mama's lipstick.

And for the first time, I started thinking that maybe-just maybe-impossible wishes really did sometimes become... possible.

If you ask me, that's pretty special.

Special-Occasion Fancy Tea Sandwiches

I say no occasion is special until you personally put a little effort into it.

Now, my mama was a real Southern Lady and knew how to do a nice afternoon tea.

First of all, make sure you use only thinly sliced white bread with the crusts cut off. (I save the crusts in a plastic bag in the freezer for stuffing.) The recipes here are enough for two people to have two pieces of each sandwich. Double as necessary.

Cuc.u.mber Sandwiches