“Collins,” I corrected.

She released me, and her grin was back. “That’s my girl, Miss Alex Collins, and look at this dress. You’ll be the center of attention down there.”

I let out a long breath. “I guess it’s time.”

“It sure is. Let’s get this dog and—”

“Pony show underway,” I said, finishing her sentence. I went to the full-length mirror and did one last appraisal, pressing down the taffeta of my light blue dress.

Light blue… like eyes.

“You know,” I commented, “if I really were Alex and not Alexandria, I wouldn’t look like I just stepped out of Steel Magnolias.”

“You ain’t wearing no hat or white gloves. You look like a formal Alex.”

“Then why do I feel like Alexandria?”

“Because Alexandria’s a fine woman, too. It don’t matter what you call yourself. It matters what’s inside. You have a heart in there, one that knows what’s right and what’s wrong. That’s why one day you’re gonna make a great, powerful lawyer… maybe even a judge! Justice Collins.”

My smile faded. “Momma doesn’t want me to practice law.”

Confusion clouded Jane’s expression. “What? Not Mrs. Fitzgerald. No, you misunderstood her. She’s been telling everyone who’ll listen about you and what you doing.”

“I don’t think I misunderstood her, but that’s nice to hear.”

“Now git! Or that pony show will start without you.”

I nodded. Let the show begin.

Heads turned as I made my way down the winding staircase. There had to be at least ten people in the grand hall not including staff. With each step down, I saw more people in the front sitting room and more in the parlor. Keeping my smile plastered on my lips, I nodded and responded appropriately as each person welcomed me. “Alexandria, look how you’ve grown.” “Alexandria, it’s so nice to have you home.” “Congratulations, dear, on doing so well in college.” The front door continued to open allowing gusts of humid Georgia air to permeate the entrance as more and more people arrived.

The entire time, I searched the crowd for my mother. Where is she? She’s the reason I’m here.

“Alexandria!”

The muscles in my neck tightened as I turned toward my one-time best friend. She bobbed with excitement as her blonde hair, piled in some kind of curly bun, bounced and more curls fluttered around her perfect porcelain face. This was a world of smoke and mirrors. Everyone appeared ideal on the outside, but it was only an illusion.

“Millie.”

My neck stiffened and eyes rolled as she hugged me. With the eye roll, I caught the smirk of the tall, lanky man beside her. As soon as she released me, I offered my hand his way. “Hello, I’m Alex,” I said, fighting the urge to add andria. “You must be Millie’s fiancé?”

He shook my hand. “Yes, Ian. Ian Peterson.”

Millie thrust her left hand into my line of sight. The diamond was, well, a diamond on prongs. “Isn’t it wonderful?” she asked. “We’re so happy!”

“Yes, wonderful. Congratulations.”

“Ian has one more year of graduate school at Emory. So we set the date for next June, right after his graduation.”

“What about you, Millie?” I asked. “Are you going on to graduate school?”

She suddenly looked as if she’d eaten something sour. “Of course not. I have a wedding to plan.”

My plastered smile became increasingly thin. “I can see where that would take all your time.”

“Oh, you have no idea.” She leaned closer. “You don’t, do you? Last I heard you weren’t dating anyone.”

“I’m so glad my dating status is a matter of conversation.”

“Well, it wasn’t—really. It just came up when I was having lunch with Leslie and Jess. Jess said you never change your status on Facebook.”

Leslie and Jess were girls we’d gone to school with. At one time we were all part of the same crowd.

I shrugged. “Some of us are too busy dating to update our status.”

“Oh! Does that mean you are in a relationship?” The idea of having fresh gossip had her practically foaming at the mouth.

“It means it’s no one’s business but my own. I know from experience what can happen when others get involved.” I nodded toward Ian. “It was nice to meet you. Welcome to Savannah.” And I turned to walk away.

“Alexandria,” Millie called.

I exhaled as I spun back around. “Yes?”

“Since you’re home, you should have lunch with Jess, Leslie, and me. I know they’re coming tonight, but we need some girl time. You all have a shower to plan.”

There were more incorrect statements in her two sentences than I cared to clarify. “That sounds amazing.” This time I successfully walked away.

I finally found my mother in the parlor, a glass of white wine in her hand. I had to check my watch. Surely it was time for red. Hell, I was considering some of Alton’s Cognac. It was then I noticed Alton and the man he was talking to. They were laughing and patting one another on the shoulder—a refined pissing contest. Whichever man’s hand was higher was the alpha. I almost giggled as each pat moved increasingly higher. Pretty soon they’d be bopping each other on the back of the head.

“Mother,” I whispered in her ear. “Is that Senator Higgins?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Why is Senator Higgins at my party?” Remembering not to upset Adelaide, I refrained from labeling it graduation or welcome home.

“Well, you see, he’s working with Alton on a few things, things that will help Montague.”

The Montagues originally made their fortune in tobacco. Investments had diversified; however, tobacco was still a big piece of the pie. Taxes and other legal restraints on the cancer-inducing crop were always a battle.

I shook my head. “Well, it’s nice that we can get some bonus points with the senator at my party.”

“It’s quite an honor.” She stood taller. “How many of your friends have a senator at their party?”

“Gosh, Mom, I’m not sure. I’ll look into that.” I turned to walk away and murmured, “Right after I update my Facebook status.”

As I entered the sitting room, I caught a glimpse of Bryce at the far end of the room. Since he seemed occupied, talking with a man I didn’t know, I took a glass of wine from one of the caterers and turned. Being the guest of honor, I’d undoubtedly need to talk to him eventually, but I could delay that reunion as long as possible.

“Welcome home.”

Shit! I should have gone toward Bryce.

“Suzanna,” I tried for my most confident tone. “It’s nice to see you.”

“And you.”

“How are you these days?”

“Disappointed.”

My attempt at friendly small talk was shot to hell. Do I bite, or do I smile and walk away? I tilted my head and gave her my most sympathetic sigh. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope things get better.”

“I have every reason to believe they will.”

“That’s great.”

Her tone lowered. “Don’t do it again.”

I straightened my neck. “Excuse me, don’t do what?”

“You know very well what I’m talking about. Don’t break his heart.”

“Suzanna, I haven’t seen or spoken to your—”

“I’m well aware of your lack of communication. But now that you’re home and he’s working for Montague—”

Interrupting her, I spoke in a hushed whisper. “I’m not home. I’m here for a visit. I will be leaving for law school in a matter of—”

A large hand landed on my shoulder as his voice whispered menacingly between Suzanna and me. “I hope we’re having a nice time at your party, Alexandria.”

My skin crawled at his touch. Stepping forward I turned toward my stepfather. “We’re just having a private discussion.”

Suzanna stood mute as I faced Alton.

“Don’t embarrass me or your mother. Perhaps private discussions would be better held in private.”

I returned my smile to my lips. To an outsider, I was having a nice conversation with Alton. “Perhaps if you were concerned about my embarrassing you, you should have thrown my party without me.”