Probably what I’m wearing now
I took a selfie with Flo and sent it to her.
Is that the same tank top you wear every single day?
How dare you this is my weekend tank
Isn’t Hamlet taking you somewhere nice? You need to wear something cute for once in your life.
Cat hair necklace doesn’t qualify as cute?
Sure, if you want to die alone.
That pretty much is my dream
I cackled and ate another handful of chips while she took a few seconds to text back.
Do you want help picking out your outfit?
Just say it—you’re bored and need something to do
Actually, I’m wrapping up this meeting for the Future Leaders of Los Angeles and could head over after grabbing some clothes from my house.
Shaking my head, I texted back:Come over then
***
Rose arrived on my doorstep holding an armful of clothes.
“Whatisall that?” I asked as she stepped inside.
“Clothes befitting a first date,” she said, her voice muffled by the pile in her face. She kicked off her strappy cobalt blue heels and dropped the clothes onto an armchair, making Flo jump.
At the sight of Flo, Rose let out an ungodly squeal and dropped to her knees. “Look at the kitty!” she said in a voice I had never heard come out of her mouth before.
Flo stared at her from under the coffee table, not blinking, her striped tail flicking to the side.
Rose beckoned her with clucking sounds, holding out her fingers. “Come here, kitty!” She glanced up at me, as I stood dumbfounded. “I wish we could have a cat, but my brother’s allergic.”
I watched her as she continued to cluck and make kissy noises. “So clearly this is the first cat you have ever seen in your entire life.”
“Ha-ha.” She stood up reluctantly after Flo made no move to come closer. Instead Flo sat there like a stone, staring at some random spot between Rose and the sofa.
I riffled through the pile of clothes. “Did it ever occur to you that you’re like seven feet taller than me?”
“It did. That’s why it’s mostly dresses.”
I held up a frothy mint green dress with white polka dots on it. “I see. Also, I’m not a cartoon mouse.”
“Listen, anything’s better than your situation right now.” Rosegestured toward me with fluttery hands. “And that dress is super flattering on.”
“I don’t care if it magically gives me a Kardashian butt, this dress isn’t my style.”
Rose grumbled as she pushed me aside to look through the dresses. “You’re incredibly stubborn. It’s fun to be around.” She held up a black dress with lace sleeves. “Try this one.”
I appraised it skeptically. It was short and looked like it would be super tight around my thighs. I didn’t mind my body, liked it in fact, but I also knew that I didn’t want to spend all night worrying about thigh bondage.
“Just try it on!” She tossed it at me with exasperation.
