Friday arrived quickly. Cait had spent the rest of the week at Flynn's house, planning the party from her cell phone. She trusted her friends and employees to make the right decisions. She knew the town was buzzing with the news of the party and the promise of big-name bands from Dublin. Cait didn't know how Aislinn had pulled it off and didn't bother to ask. Aislinn could be right convincing when she needed to be, Cait thought.

On direct orders from Aislinn, Cait steered her car towards Aislinn's shop and tried not to let the nerves that twisted in her stomach convince her to turn the car around. She wondered if Shane would show up tonight or if he hated her. Though he had called her several times this week, Cait had chickened out and not answered. She wasn't sure if her heart could handle him yelling at her again.

Cait pulled her car around the back of Aislinn's shop and out of sight of the road. Getting out, she slipped through the gate into Aislinn's colorful courtyard.

With a deep breath, Cait entered the back of the shop and called for Aislinn.

"I'm here. The front door's locked, come on in," Aislinn called.

Cait walked through the back workshop and into Aislinn's store. She sighed as she saw Aislinn's latest work. Her cousin never ceased to amaze her with her myriad of talents. This week Aislinn had hung several beautifully depicted watercolors of the flowers that ranged the hills that surrounded Grace's Cove. They were heart-wrenchingly beautiful and Cait suspected they would sell quickly.

"Ais…these are amazing," Cait said as she fingered a painting of Shane's office building.

"Thanks, I was in a mood this week," Aislinn said. Cait shot her head up at her tone.

"What's wrong?"

"Aye, nothing really. Just a mood." Aislinn dismissed Cait but Cait reached out to put her hand on her arm.

"Is it Baird?"

Aislinn shrugged her shoulders and turned to stack her paint boxes. "Maybe. I don't know."

"What happened the other night? When he chased you out?"

"Saw that, did you?"

"I've an eagle eye for things that happen at the pub as you well know," Cait said.

"He kissed me. Maybe, um, more than that," Aislinn said bitterly.

Cait's mouth dropped open. The mild-mannered psychiatrist had not struck her as the type to go after a woman that way.

"Hmm, goes after what he wants. His appeal grows. Did anything else happen?" Cait asked.

"No, nope, no-how, not going to talk about it," Aislinn muttered. Cait examined her friend's face and was surprised to find a blush covering Aislinn's cheeks. It was rare for her to be disconcerted. She wondered just how far things had gone between the two. Deciding not to press for more information, Cait ran her hand down her friend's arm.

"You like him," Cait said.

Aislinn shrugged again. "Maybe. But he's all wrong for me. I'm a dreamer and he's all but a scientist. It would never work."

"You don't know that unless you try," Cait said.

Aislinn turned cool eyes on Cait.

"You're one to talk."

"Hey," Cait said, stung.

"Well? You ran from Shane."

"Wait just a moment, he walked away from me. He called me a liar! What was I supposed to do? Stick around and grovel?" Cait demanded.

"I don’t know. Maybe you should have. True love doesn't have much room for pride," Aislinn said.

Cait gaped at her.

"Love wasn't mentioned, if I must remind you," Cait said stiffly.

"Well, then, best to move on," Aislinn said quickly. Almost too quickly. Surprised, but grateful for the change in conversation, Cait nodded.

"Now, let's see this dress."

Aislinn had called to tell Cait that she had found the perfect dress for her party and Cait had readily agreed to Aislinn buying it. Aislinn had a wonderful eye for color and fashion and Cait was convinced that she wouldn't steer her wrong.

Aislinn grabbed Cait's arm and drew her over to where she had a garment bag hanging in front of a mirror. Unzipping the bag, she pulled the fabric away from the dress and Cait gasped.

"Wow, that color is stunning," Cait breathed.

"I know. It's perfect for you," Aislinn said, pride evident in her voice.

The dress was a deep emerald green, with just a hint of turquoise underneath it. It was short, tight, and with a sweetheart neckline. Never in a million years would Cait have picked it out.

"Just trust me," Aislinn said.

Cait grimaced, but agreed. She grabbed the hanger and stepped into Aislinn's bathroom. Unzipping the back of the dress, she quickly shed her clothes and stepped into the dress. Taking a deep breath, she slid the zipper up as far as she could without help.

"Need help?"

"Yes, please," Cait said and Aislinn stepped in to close the zipper.

"Turn," Aislinn demanded.

Cait turned and watched Aislinn's face light up. She gave one long, low whistle.

"Cait, you're a knockout," Aislinn said.

"Let me see," Cait demanded and moved Aislinn aside so she could look in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door.

A stranger peered back at her. The deep green of the dress was a perfect complement to her skin and her eyes popped, looking huge in her face. The sweetheart neckline made the most of her small breasts, and the nipped waist and tight skirt showed every curve of her fit body. Cait turned and peered at her generous bottom in the mirror. This dress did nothing but good things for her butt and she laughed at herself.

"I'm a knockout!"

"Wait until we get your makeup and hair done," Aislinn agreed.

Aislinn and Cait spent the next half hour going through the beauty rituals of hair and makeup. Finishing up, Aislinn stepped back and eyed Cait.

Raising a finger, she said, "Hold on." Aislinn went to a glass display case across the room and unlocked the back door. Sliding it open, she pulled out a pair of long silver earrings.

"Here. These are perfect. They're all the jewelry you need," Aislinn insisted and handed them to Cait.

"Oh, these are lovely," Cait breathed. Long silver strands twisted together to create an intricate knot. Fluid, yet interesting, they came below Cait's hair and added just the right touch to her outfit.

"Keep them," Aislinn insisted.

"I can't, they're too precious," Cait protested.

"Consider it a stepping-into-your-own gift." Aislinn smiled warmly at her.

"You can see it, can't you?" Cait said, referencing her emotions.

"Yes, I can see it all. The excitement, the anger, and the insecurity…it's all in there. But, finally, I'm starting to see your pride shine through. That's what I've always hoped for you," Aislinn said quietly.

"It's taken me a while. I'm not all the way there yet, but I'm close," Cait whispered.

"Well, tonight's as good as any to kick off the chains of the past."

Nodding, Cait scooped her arm through Aislinn's and laughed up at her.

"Invite any cute guys from Dublin?"

"Oh, yes, indeed. There's a cute guy in the first band you'll like," Aislinn said. Laughing, they left for the party.