Page 60 of Paradigm

“I’d say the black one,” Marti said. “The blue one looks like there should be a jacket over it, and you should have a lanyard around your neck because you’re at some business conference networking event.”

“I thought so, but I also like how I look in it.”

“I bet you look great in the black one, too. Try it on. If you want, try both of them on, and I’ll get Marissa in here. We’ll vote.”

“This is embarrassing,” she said. “I should be able–”

The doorbell rang then, and Eline froze; her eyes locked in their wide position, mouth open, her heart racing.

“Did Marissa leave and come back or something?” Marti asked.

“What time is it?” she asked. “Oh, my God. What time is it?”

“Um… Seven.” Marti looked down at the phone in her hand. “Why?”

“Because Arlowe is picking me up at seven. I lost track of time. I thought I had an hour before she got here.”

“Hey, someone’s at the door,” Marissa said through the closed bedroom one.

“Yeah, that’s Arlowe, babe,” Marti replied, standing up to open the door. “What do you want to do, Eline?”

“I’m not ready yet.”

“I can let her in if you want,” Marissa offered. “Tell her you’re still getting dressed.”

“She doesn’t know you.”

“I’ll tell her that you’re friends with my girlfriend.” The doorbell rang again. “Either that, or she’ll probably call you, wondering what’s going on because you’re not answering the door.”

“Uh… Okay. Can you tell her that I’ll be right out and that you were just leaving?”

“Sure. But why are we here in the first place?” Marissa asked. “I assume you don’t want her to know that we’re here to help you pick out what to wear.”

“I’ve got it,” Marti said. “Put on the black one. And do you have any earrings? Small hoops, maybe?”

“Yes.”

“Wear those. Small clutch, too, if you have it, and you’re good to go. Your hair looks great down as is. Do you want to wear makeup or not?”

“I don’t usually wear a lot. Should I?”

The doorbell rang again, and Eline’s heart rate picked up even more.

“Not if you don’t want to. You’re beautiful, Eline. Why do you think I offered to buy you a drink the night we met?”

“Hey, now!” Marissa said with a little laugh.

“You had a different girlfriend that night, so pick your battles, baby,” Marti replied, looping her arm through Marissa’s. “Come on. Let’s go see what all the fuss is about with this Arlowe.”

“What? No, don’t do–”

“I’m kidding,” Marti told her, laughing, and closed the bedroom door between them.

“Oh, God,” Eline said to herself and quickly went about putting on her dress.

Then, she added some hoops to her ears and checked on her hair and face. She didn’t have a small clutch, but she did have a black purse with a strap that would work, so she grabbed that, stuffed her things inside it, found a pair of black flats, and took a very deep breath before she pulled open the door and listened.

“So, you work in software?” Marissa asked.