Crissy tried to put the whole ordeal with her mother out of her mind, but it continually nagged at her, lurking in the back of her thoughts. During the forty-five minute drive to Grand Junction, Crissy and Amy shared an obscenely large cinnamon roll and coffee. Amy never stopped talking but Crissy didn't mind. She knew Amy was trying her best to get Crissy's mind off of her mother and she was grateful for it. For as long as Crissy could remember, Amy never let Crissy stay unhappy for long. When Amy got a whiff of sadness, it was her sole mission in life to snuff it out and plaster sunshine everywhere she went.

Once they reached the mall, Amy picked up even more speed, if that was possible. She piled clothes into Crissy's arms and herded her into the dressing room, hour after hour. But the more outfits Crissy tried on, the more frustrated she became when nothing fit right and felt awkward. The clothing itched, this blouse too tight, that skirt too short for her comfort.

By noon, Crissy could feel herself slipping. Amy draped another outfit over the dressing room door.

"Try this one," she chirped. "The pink will compliment your skin color perfectly. Make you glow."

Crissy took a deep breath to steady herself and pulled the dress over her head. But the middle was stretched until the seams threatened to burst and the front was loose and baggy. Crissy closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. Her mother's words stormed through her head, over and over.

Lose weight, lose weight, lose weight.

"How does it fit?" Amy called. "Let me see. You haven't let me see anything for a while."

Crissy edged the door open, her throat tight. "What am I doing here, Amy?"

Amy's enthusiasm faded at the wrecked look on Crissy's face. She rushed forward and took Crissy's hands in hers.

"No, no, please don't get upset. We can get another size, it's okay."

Crissy's voice trembled this time, her self-control fading the longer she stood in this stupid dress that didn't fit. "Amy, that's the whole problem. I don't want a different size. I just...this isn't going to work. I don't know what I was thinking."

Amy frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean Quinn. This party. I can't...I can't do it."

She broke off and Amy squeezed Crissy's hands tighter. "All right," Amy said. "Let's get you out of this thing and go for a walk, maybe grab some lunch, too. I completely lost track of time. We're long overdue for a break."

Crissy squirmed her way out of that awful dress in five seconds flat. She was back in her comfortable clothes, her arm linked through Amy's as they walked the mall together. Amy's energy had toned down a little by now. Crissy's breathing returned to normal once she was out of the dressing room. They stopped at the food court to pick up lunch and settled at a table near a window overlooking the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Crissy picked at her salad while Amy unwrapped her cheeseburger.

"Now tell me what happened," Amy said around a mouthful. "You've been quiet all week, and that was long before your mom called. You've been thinking up a storm, I can tell."

Crissy sighed and set her fork down. "I feel like I'm setting myself up for heartbreak again, Amy. And it scares the hell out of me."

Amy considered for a moment and nodded. "It is possible."

Crissy's shoulders sagged. "That's not helpful..."

"I'm not finished, sweetie," Amy said gently. She pulled her chair over to sit next to Crissy. "I'm not going to lie to you - that party, Quinn, it's all a risk. But what happens if that risk pays off? Do you really want to lose the opportunity to be happy just because one asshole broke your heart and you never want to give it another shot again?"

"I just don't know how any of this happened. What if it's a joke, Amy? I mean, you've seen Quinn. We're complete opposites. It just doesn't seem real."

"Slow down, Crissy. I don't think it's a joke. And you're not giving yourself enough credit. You're adorable, hard-working, intelligent..."

Crissy cast Amy a sideways look. "You might be a little biased in that department."

Amy feigned innocence. "Maybe just a tiny bit. But this is one of those rare occasions when I'm being completely serious, Cris. Quinn asked you out. Not me. Not some other girl. He asked you. That has to count for something."

"He did compliment my turnovers..." Crissy admitted.

"And Rob certainly never did that," Amy pointed out.

Crissy grimaced at the unpleasant memories of her ex-fiancé. She wished she could completely wipe him out of her brain so he would stop popping up at every possible moment, no matter how hard she tried to forget him and move on.

"Whatever happens," Amy continued, "good or bad, it's not the end of the world. You'll get back on your feet eventually. You haven't dated anyone since you left Rob and that's been three years. Just give Quinn a try, see where it goes. It's only a little party. No major commitments in sight." Amy reached over and pulled Crissy into a hug. "You deserve to have some fun, Crissy. I know you love baking, and I know you want your own shop eventually, but you can get out once in a while without everything falling to pieces. It's one little party, and if it's a total disaster, I'll stop pestering you. Promise."

Crissy pulled away and let out a long, slow breath. "I thought I was supposed to be the logical one. Not you."

Amy smiled softly. "I won't make it a habit, trust me." She nudged Crissy's shoulder. "Anything else on your mind?"

"I hate salads," Crissy mumbled.

Amy retrieved her take out bag and produced another burger, placing it in front of Crissy. "I've been waiting for you to say that all day long."

Crissy unwrapped her burger and bit into it. Her mother's voice came flooding back with a surge of guilt but she shoved it away.

"Does it make me a horrible person if I don't want to go on a diet for my sister's wedding?" she asked.

Amy shook her head. "Absolutely not. You're beautiful just the way you are. Besides, you can't be held entirely accountable on that score. You've got a devil on your shoulder feeding you burgers and cinnamon rolls."

Crissy reached over and snagged a French fry from Amy. "Only part devil. You have your angelic moments too."

Amy gave a mock suffering sigh and slid the rest of her French fries over to Crissy. "Flattery makes me weak, Christina, and you do it so well."

Crissy shoved her salad away to make room for the extra food. She picked up a French fry and held it out to Amy as an offering.

Amy took the French fry and pointed it at Crissy. "There's one more thing. About Quinn."

Crissy raised her eyebrows, waiting.

"I know I screwed up with Rob," Amy continued. "I didn't see the warning signs."

Crissy started to protest but Amy held up a hand and Crissy stopped.

"I'm your best friend. I should have noticed something. But this time around...I'm keeping an eye on Quinn. I know you don't know each other yet, so I'm not passing a final judgment on him anytime soon but there is something I do like."

Crissy paused, the burger forgotten in her hand. "What?" she whispered, her throat dry.

Amy gave her a wry smile. "He makes you blush. It's been three years since I've seen that happen."

Crissy groaned and rolled her eyes. Amy giggled and leaned her head on Crissy's shoulder.

"Ready to brave the clothing racks again?" she asked.

Crissy wrinkled her nose. "Not really."

"You pick out something this time," Amy said. "I've been pushing a little too much today, and I'm sorry for that. I didn't know you were so upset about this whole thing. Find something you feel comfortable in and we'll go from there."

Crissy took a deep breath before she plunged into the aisles of clothes again. Amy wandered close by, allowing Crissy her space, but not smothering or trying to cheer her up. It was still frustrating to find clothes she liked that didn't come in her size, but she tried not to think about it.

Finally, she settled on a burgundy dress with a white lace trim around the collar, black lace leggings, and black boots. She inspected herself in the dressing room mirror and a small smile came to her lips. It felt right. She felt...good. Really good. A little flurry of butterflies took wing in her stomach. Maybe this wouldn't be a disaster after all.

Crissy stepped out of the dressing room, smoothing her hands down the skirt, to present herself to Amy.

Amy's eyes went wide and she placed a hand over her mouth. She grinned and gripped Crissy's hand. "Do you like it?" she asked.

Crissy nodded. "It's perfect. I think..." She bit her lip against the grin spreading across her face. "Amy, I think it'll be okay."

Amy beamed and Crissy smiled back, feeling a surge of happiness in her chest that she hadn't felt in a long, long time.