I stumble and grab onto the edge of my trophy case. Brilliant. If I don’t twist an ankle in these things, perhaps I can break an arm or leg beneath an avalanche of trophies. Wouldn’t Mom love that?

“You’re doing fantastic,” Abi assures me. “Keep your chin up and your focus ahead. Try not to think about it so much.”

I wanted to buy flats, but she insisted on this stupid pair of strappy sandals with two-inch heels. Prom is a mere five nights away, and while everyone else will be hip-hopping around, I’ll be trying to master the art of walking. I can see it now. At five-eleven, I’ll tower above almost everyone in the room—a silver skyscraper careening precariously across the dance floor. I’ll give the Wobble a whole new meaning.

“I can’t wait to see Chris’s face. He’s going to love you in that dress.”

“You mean Jerod.”

Abi smirks. “If you say so.”

“I do.” I pace the length of the room and back again, as slow as a turtle through a pool of molasses at first but picking up speed as I go along. “Seriously, I refuse to spend the whole night thinking about Chris. First of all, it’s not fair to Jerod. I’m already basically using him to go to prom for you. I won’t diss him by trying to flirt with another guy while we’re there. Whoa.” I lean against my desk and sink into the chair. I slip off my left shoe and rub my toes. “Second of all, it wouldn’t be fair to Chris. This is his Junior Prom, and he deserves to have fun. He doesn’t need me making waves when he’s there with someone he really likes.” Though maybe doesn’t love.

“And what about you? What’s fair to you?”

I shrug. “Same. It’s my Junior Prom, too. I intend to avoid drama.”

“In that dress?” Abi grins. “Good luck.”

A rap sounds at the door, and my dad’s voice calls in to us. “Lexi, dinner’s almost ready. Your friend is welcome to stay if she wants.”

Abi smiles and shakes her head. We both know that wouldn’t be wise. It’s been months since Chris has stopped by unexpectedly for dinner—ever since Lindsay entered the picture—but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Wouldn’t do to have Abi sitting at the table.

“Before you go, how did Anita seem this morning? Was she upset?”

Abi shrugs. “She seemed okay, actually. She was a little quiet, but then, she’s not much of a talker. She told me to thank you for trying.”

“She said that? How sweet. So she’s not pissed?”

“Why would she be? We gave her money back.”

“So?” I turn and lift my hair so Abi can unhook my dress. “A lot of good that’ll do her Saturday night when she’s sitting home dateless. Or worse, when she goes to prom alone and has to watch Jose dance with Maria all evening.”

“Lexi, it happens.”

I turn back to face her. “Not to my clients. My clients end up with boyfriends.”

“When I broke up with Roland, the first thing you said to me was, ‘A girl doesn’t need a boy to be happy.’”

“It’s true. She doesn’t. We don’t. I believe that, one hundred percent. But still … if a girl has a boy she likes, she’ll be even happier with him.”

“Maybe.” Abi’s tone is wistful. “Maybe not.”

I give her a hug, which is kind of awkward because my dress is half falling off, so I let go quickly and step out of the gown. “It’ll be different this time. You’ll see.”

“I hope you’re right, but even if you’re not, I want you to know I appreciate everything you’ve done. The whole Grease thing and agreeing to go to prom and … all of it. It means a lot to me.”

“That’s okay. You’re going to pay me back Saturday afternoon, remember? With the hair and the makeup and the nails?”

“Definitely.” Abi claps her hands together. “That’s not payback; that’s icing on the cake. I cannot wait to glam you up.”

I pull on a pair of sweats and some slippers and we head downstairs. As we reach the landing, Abi gasps and turns to me. “I almost forgot. Did you hear the news?”

“What news?”

“About Ty and Alicea.” She makes a slashing motion against her neck.

“They broke up? They can’t do that. They’re my biggest success story.”

“They were your biggest success story. He ended it yesterday.”

“Ugh.” Less than a week before prom? Nice timing. “Weren’t they up for Prom king and queen?”

Abi nods. “Apparently, they’re both still planning to go, though not as a couple.”

Oh, my. I follow her to the front door and see her out. “Sounds like there will be drama a-plenty,” I call after her. “My dress will be the least of everyone’s concerns.”

I shut the door and lean back against it, a smile tugging at my lips. Though perhaps I wouldn’t mind if it created at least a little bit of a stir.