another Isaacâs tie was neon blue.
âThese are so cool,â Brooke said.
Aly thought so too. She especially liked the photo where Joan and Isaac were feeding ducks, and all of the ducks were bright yellow.
But Isaac wasnât paying attention to what the girls were saying. He was digging around in his camera bag. When he brought his hand out this time, he was holding a skein of ribbon and some clear tape.
âOkay,â he said, âI was hoping you could cut the ribbon and attach it to the pictures, then hang the ribbons all over the salon. Iâm going to run out and pick up the rose petals for the floor. Sound like a plan?â
âAye, aye, Isaac,â Brooke said, saluting him.
âNo problem at all,â Aly said, glad so many friends were helping them. This seemed like a pretty big project, actually. Isaac really should have asked them sooner. Aly could have at least precut the ribbon!
While Isaac was gone, the girls cut, taped, and hung fifty-five pictures. Lily, Alyâs other best friend and the salonâs chief financial officer, had counted each one and made sure they were placed perfectly around the room.
Charlotte was admiring a shot of Joan and Isaac standing on a mountaintop, a bright green backpack on Joanâs back. âThis is so romantic,â she said with a sigh.
Aly agreed.
Isaac burst through the salonâs back door, holdingup bags of rose petals. âIâve got them, girls.â He stopped in his tracks. âWow,â he said. âThis looks even better than Iâd imagined it would. Joanâs going to flip!â
He handed the petals to Aly, Sophie, and Brooke, and the three of them carefully spread handfuls on the floor. When they were finished, the girls couldnât believe how magical the back room looked. Even Sparkly barked his approval.
âOkay,â Charlotte said, âI think our work here is done. Everyone except Aly and Brooke should probably leave. But make sure to come back for your new appointments.â
âAgain, weâre sorry again for canceling,â Aly added.
âNo problem at all,â Annie said. âThis was so much cooler than having my toes polished.â
âAre you ready?â Brooke asked Isaac wheneveryone was gone. âBecause I donât think I can wait a minute more.â
Aly felt the same way. She had never seen anyone proposed to in real life, only on TV.
Once again, Isaac rubbed his chin. âIâm as ready as Iâll ever be. Letâs do this!â he said. âCan one of you ask Joan to come back here?â
âIâll do it!â both girls said at once.
âWeâll both go,â Aly said. She was trying not to feel nervous, but so much excitement bubbled up inside her.
The sisters walked into True Colors, not paying any attention to the customers or even to their mom, who was at manicure station number one, giving Mrs. Franklin a French manicure.
âJoanie!â Brooke said, running over to Joanâs regular station, number seven. âWe need you in the Sparkle Spa.â
Joan looked up from Mrs. Howardâs As Red as It Gets manicure. âIs everything okay?â she asked.
Aly nodded. She felt like she needed to come up with an excuse so Joan wouldnât get alarmed. âWe just . . . we just . . .â
âWe made a really cool design on the nail polish wall that we want to show you,â Brooke said.
âWhen youâre done with Mrs. Howard,â Aly added.
Joan smiled. âWell then, youâre in luck,â she said, âbecause all I have to do is three more fingers of top coat and Mrs. Howard will be ready to dry.â
Aly watched Brooke tug her braid; it made her wish she had one to tug. She couldnât wait to see Joanâs reaction.
A minute or so laterâwhich seemed like ÂforeverâJoan got up and walked with the girls to the Sparkle Spa. When they got to
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