She stared back at us. “He’s in town filming something. And you know he does all his own stunts. And he uses everything around him as props. Lindsay is right to worry about her dress. He could just rip it out of Josh’s arms and start slinging it around. They should both go. Together. There’s safety in numbers.”

“Yeah.” Troy leaned forward, keeping his eyes on Lindsay as she began wiping the goop off her legs. “Don’t mess with Jackie Chan. It’s just not worth it.”

I stared at all of them, and they all stared back, not a one of them breaking into a laugh or even a smile. Oh, they were good.

I folded my arms and glared at them. “Fine. I’ll go. And Josh will fight anyone who attacks us. Including Jackie Chan.”

Josh’s eyes lit up, and he tossed the newly repaired cufflink to Troy, who caught it in a smooth motion. I took the dress in its protective bag from my mother and strode to the door. I didn’t look back to see if Josh followed. I could feel him behind me, though, like a warm glow hugging my back.

“It only matters if you get mugged on the way there!” Lindsay called to us.

The door swung shut behind Josh.

“Feel free to get mugged on the way back!” My sister’s voice carried out into the hall behind us.

“That’s something to look forward to,” I said.

Josh pushed the button for the elevator. “Don’t worry. I’ll extend my bodyguard services to include the return trip, even if you won’t still be holding the holy grail of wedding dresses.”

He surprised a laugh out of me. “I think Lindsay would say you’re undervaluing it.”

The doors opened on an empty elevator, and we got in. He shrugged. “She has her appraisers, and I have mine.”

The walk to the subway station was uneventful. I concentrated on dodging pedestrians on both sides as Josh walked slightly ahead of me, clearing the path in front.

The train we wanted had just arrived, and we walked on with no waiting. It was packed. Which was a problem for me. I’ve never had fantastic balance and am the extreme opposite of athletic. To try to stay vertical on a moving train while holding a heavily beaded wedding gown in a now sweat-slick plastic garment bag that was clinging to my arm? There was no hope that I’d remain upright.

Josh clasped my elbow. “There!” He pointed two rows away. “Quick, grab that seat.”

He was right. There was one open seat available, and I stuck my butt in it fast. Josh grabbed on to a strap above my head and stood guard over me and Lindsay’s wedding dress.

“We’ll get off in two stops.” He held up two fingers, and I nodded. I didn’t have to tell him I was terrible at figuring out subway maps. He already knew to help me. And he did. And I shouldn’t like him more for remembering. I should resent his ill-gotten knowledge of me. He should have given it all back when he left me. What other pieces of me had he kept?

We got off the train together in two stops, Josh blocking for me as I traveled a mostly cleared path behind him. We found the specialty dry cleaners easily, and I relinquished possession of the dress with relief as I slid it across the counter. I even smiled at Josh before I remembered I shouldn’t.

I practically bounced out the door and onto the street. I was so much lighter without the weight of Lindsay’s dress holding me down.

Outside, Josh matched my smile. He ran a hand through his hair. “Would you join me for an early dinner?”

I shook my head, and his smile disappeared. A tiny bubble of regret rose in my gut at his disappointment, but I popped it fast. “Sorry. I have plans.”

“Dinner plans?”

“Yes.”

He glanced down the street as if looking for proof and then back at me. “When?”

“Soon.”

“With whom?”

I tilted my head. “Sooo not your business.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Someone you met here? In New York?”

“Yes.” I couldn’t hold back my smile. Besides, Josh deserved to know the truth. And I deserved not to feel like a factory reject. “Yes. It’s my new guy, Tanner.”

“New. Guy.” Josh said the words weirdly, like they were detached from any meaning.