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She shook her head firh as it is I was thinking soo-to, floor-length little black dress froer

“Gone With the Wind” Anya held up the burgundy dress like a battle flag, shaking it so the taffeta crinkled

Drea nodded her head in agreement “That’s the one”

“Anya Drea…” Her pulse picked up and, despite her reservations, she straightened her shoulders

“You knoe’re right Remember the scene where Rhett Butler dresses Scarlett O’Hara in that racy red dress to teach her a lesson, but then she walks into that party, tilts her chin up, and dares someone to fuck with her? That is exactly what you need to do tonight” Anya held out the ball gown “Not to become a narcissistic husband stealer, of course, but you knohat I mean”

Sylvie wobbled on the pointed fence post of a decision

“You won’t find better arain, and drawled in a faux southern accent, “Come on, Miss Scarlett, it’s time to dress for the ball”

An hour later, Sylvie snapped her gold clutch closed in annoyance as the taxi pulled into the museum’s entrance “I can’t believe I left my cell phone at home”

“There’s chanon “Think of it as a blessing—you’ll be less likely to drunk dial hi ass”

“I wouldn’t do that”

A valet opened the car door and she slid out, Drea and Anya following behind

“Jeff Ashford”

She cringed “That was in college” They all started giggling like they’d already been guzzling the bubbly on the way over She hugged her friend “God, I’lad you’re back from LA”

“Fingers crossed, I’ the threshold into the museum “You ready for this?”

Sylvie’s lungs pinched Great Having a stress-related asth on the cake Reflexively she patted her clutch until she felt the hard cylinder of her inhaler and then took in a deep breath “Hell no, but let’s go anyway”