She scoffed. “I—” She took a breath. “I like this dress, and I think your cousin would like it—No! Ugh. It doesn’t matter if he likes it.Ilike it.”
“Yes, yes,” I told her. “I like it, too. I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean it wasn’t a nice dress. It’s… It’s a great color on you, but I am also certain there are few colors you cannot pull off. So. I just…” I pointed to the other. “I think I might be over-considering my appearance for today, but I don’t have anything more simple than these two dresses, and I don’t want to look like I am a sore thumb, sticking out and all. What I meant to say was… I don’t even know. I think Iamnaturally unpleasant.”
“I didn't say that!”
“Would you please just help me?” I asked her.
“Always, Svana, but how can I do that?”
“Well, again. I don’t hate your dress,” I said. “I’m sorry for implying it. I just… Please wear the lavender one? Then I won’t feel overdressed. And you can have it. Really. If you like it so much. I swear, unless you don’t. I mean. You can wear the orange. You can.”
She glanced at them. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I muttered. “Even though it's my favorite.”
“I don’t want to wear the orange one,” she said. “My hair is orange.”
“Oh,” I said.
“You’re sure I can wear the lavender?” she checked.
“Yes, Josie,” I lit. “Please. Please. By all means!”
“It looks more expensive than anything I own,” she said.
“It has matching shoes,” I bartered, hurrying to point to them. “Though I…I suppose I don’t know your size.”
“We wear the same,” she said. I cocked my head. “I may have… Never mind.”
“Miss Jocelyn, you would be doing mesucha favor,” I said. “Wait, have you tried on my shoes?”
“I do not think so,” she said.
I frowned. “It would be fine if you had….”
“Would it?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Anyway, you’d seriously save me.”
“Save you? Really? BY spending the day with the world's most handsome Blade?” she asked.
“And Ser Willoughby, yes,” I said.
“What?” she asked.
“Oh, you meant… Ew.”
“Yes. I meant Ser Willoughby.” She sighed. “Someone pinch me, for Imustbe dreaming.”
I did. “Ow!” she yelped, rubbing her arm. “Svana!”
“Josie,” I said back. “Wear the dress. It brings out your eyes.”
“Do you think?” she asked.
“I think, and I know,” I replied. “And I really, really like this one for myself.” I pulled the amber fabric to my chest. “Does it make me look too pale?”
“No.” Josie picked up her gown and paused.
