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“Pinky promise, nothing too crazy.”

With a crooked pinky pointed toward her, she interlocks hers with mine, smiling wide. In reality, I’m tired too, but I can rally.

Buzzing sounds on the counter beside me, and I pull my eyes from Taylor to check who’s just texted me.

Unknown

Hey Fia, this is Brandon. We met a few nights ago. Not sure what your plans are this evening, but I’m having a house party in Greenway. I’d love to see you.

I let a wicked smile spread across my face before looking back at my friend.

“I have a better idea.”

My body thrums with excitement as I hurry through putting on the rest of my makeup, adding a little smoky shadow to my eyes.

“Oh, no,” she groans, zipping her pouch and gathering her stuff into her tote bag.

“Oh, yes!”

Even if I vaguely remember Brandon, I certainly made a good enough impression for him to want to see me again.

“Let me guess, you want to get takeout and watch Clueless for the hundredth time?” Taylor’s hopeful inquiry is laced with humor and longing.

“Even better, a house party.” I wink.

“Oh, I don’t⁠—”

“Nope, you’re not getting out of this. Come on, I have the perfect dress for you to wear.”

The commute from the studio in Churchill to my downtown city apartment is roughly thirty minutes. The second we step across the threshold, I’m frantic.

Nashville, Churchill, and Greenway Grove are set up like a triangle. Greenway being at the highest point, is about an hour and some change from where we are in Nashville.

If we want to make it all the way back to Greenway in time for the party, we have to move like a fire is lit under our asses.

After nearly begging on my knees for her to wear it, Taylor caved, putting on a mini-dress that had been collecting dust in the back of my closet.

By the looks of it, it was never meant to be mine anyway.

Tan freckles scatter across her pale skin, and her thick, wavy ruby hair is the perfect accessory to the fire engine-red bodycon. I can’t help but give her a slow once-over as she sits on the edge of my bed.

“Stop worrying about me and get dressed. It won’t be long before I fall asleep,” she gripes.

“Enough of that. A girl can’t take a moment to admire her friend? I should’ve put you in red a long time ago.”

It took some time, but ultimately, I settle for a denim micro-skirt and a pink tube top. I glance at the outfit laying beside her and scurry back to the bathroom to finish my hair. Once I’m finally happy, I douse my body in glitter and jump into my clothes, ready to celebrate the next step toward my dreams.

“Ready?” I ask with a shimmy.

Taylor rises to her feet, bobbing just slightly in the tall heels I forced her into. With a few taps on her phone, the rideshare she called half an hour ago is out front.

Pointy heels scuff the sidewalk. Our ride waits idle with hazards on, right outside my apartment exit. Inside, the blank stare on Taylor’s face looks like she’s five seconds away from serving me an Irish goodbye.

I snort in amusement. “At least the party is in Greenway Grove.” I bob my head to the pop song flowing through the car speaker. The party has already started for me.

“That is a bonus.” She shrugs and turns her attention back to her phone.

An hour later, when our car pulls into the long-secluded driveway, my stomach tightens. I get some sort of pre-party anticipation every time I go out; it’s just a thing for me, but this feels heavier than usual.