Sophia's POV
The opening event was smaller than Mei wanted and bigger than I expected.
She had campaigned for a proper party, catering, speeches, the whole thing, and I had negotiated her down to something quieter, a Saturday afternoon, no press, just the twelve women whose photos hung on the wall, their families if they wanted to bring them, and ours.
Priya arrived first, nervous in a way that made her look younger than her photo, holding a small bag of fabric samples like an offering.
"I brought these," she said. "For the wall. If you want something more current than the studio photo."
"We'd love that," I said, and watched her face light up in a way that had nothing to do with the fabric.
Damien stood near the door greeting people as they arrived, and I watched him do it, easy and
