Synopsis

The gingham spread felt suddenly inadequate. A palpable buzz of competence hummed around the picnic blanket, each attendee radiating an effortless charm that made Amelia acutely aware of her own anxieties. She’d envisioned a relaxed gathering, a chance to connect with like-minded individuals – and perhaps, subtly, to prove she was worthy. Instead, the sheer caliber of the other potential adopters was overwhelming. A quiet tremor of self-doubt ran through her; the competition seemed impossibly