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Get a grip, Lacey!

The poor guy isn’t interested, that etting hiue …

I snap out of it, reaching for , I realize with a sinking heart that I checked the case with h-heeled sandals, own …

I hold it up, carefully shaking out the silk It’s not so own as a cocktail dress: slinky red silk, with tiny spaghetti straps and a low, plunging back Juliet said I could pick anything I liked, and I figured the red would be festive: just throw on a cute faux-fur jacket, and call me Mrs Santa Claus!

But now, here, with Daniel …?

It’s either this or pneumonia, so I quickly duck under the hot jets of the shower and dry off, slipping the dress over my head It settles around h I wish I had jeans and a sweatshirt instead, I have to adreat

What the hell

I twist my hair up in a simple knot, then slick on some mascara and lipstick to finish the look There’s no way I can wear a bra under the dress, so I just shimmy on soh-heeled sandals There

I take a final look in the mirror I’m crazy over-dressed -- hell, I look like I’m ready for a black-tie event, not the crappy bar of the TravelLodge -- but at least I look good

If I’ to pretend like I could care less about Daniel, then I need to be looking good

I take a breath, and open the bathroo through his bag He’s changed into sweatpants and a college T-shirt, the faded old one I always loved hih to touch "I think I left mine in--"

He looks up and stops aze I look down at the outfit, suddenly second-guessing it all over again "Yes, I know, it’s OTT, but it’s all I had"

Daniel clears his throat "It’s fine," he says diser?"

I blink

"My battery is nearly dead," Daniel continues,"If it goes dead, I’m screwed"