I found myself nodding as I followed her in. She was from the Dark Ages. They didn’t celebrate birthdays then. I seemed to remember that from a class.

“Ivy made a cake,” I said, feeling depressed. “But it’s not frosted yet. Do you want some coffee and pastries instead?” May as well. Ivy isn’t going to eat them with me.

Stopping in the middle of the sanctuary, she turned, anticipation brightening her expression. “So you’re going to have a party later?” she asked.

“Probably not,” I said, and when her shoulders slumped, I laughed. “Not everyone has a party, Ceri, unless they have stock in a card company.”

Her lips pursed. “Now you’re making fun of me. Go on. Open your present.”

I could tell she wasn’t really upset, so I opened the squishy package, tossing the paper into the trash basket under my desk. “Oh, thank you!” I exclaimed as I found a soft casual shirt made from brushed cotton. It was a vibrant red, almost glowing, and I could tell without trying it on that it would fit me perfectly.

“Jenks said you needed a new shirt,” she said shyly. “Do you like it? Is it suitable?”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you,” I said, feeling the richness of the fabric. It was a simple style, but the cloth was scrumptious and the neckline would flatter my small chest. She must have spent a fortune. “I love it,” I said as I gave her a quick hug, then rocked into motion. “I should hang it up. Do you want some coffee?”

“I’ll make tea,” she said, her gaze going to the empty spot where Ivy’s stereo had been. Her steps soft behind mine, she hesitated at the door to my room upon catching sight of Trent’s bridesmaid dresses and my newest party dress hanging from the back of the closet. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “When did you get that?”

I beamed, finding an empty hanger and wrangling her shirt onto it. “Yesterday. I needed something for a run, and since it’s a party, I bought something appropriate.”

Jenks’s laugh rang out even before he was in sight. “Rache,” he said as he landed on Ceri’s shoulder, “you have some odd ideas of dress codes.”

“What?” I fingered the stiff black lace at the hem of the skirt. “It’s a nice dress.”

“For a wedding rehearsal? It’s in a church, right?” He screwed his face up in a pious look. “Spank me, Father, for I have sinned,” he said in a falsetto.

My eyes narrowed, and I hung up Ceri’s gift. It was in the Basilica, actually. The Hollows’ cathedral. “It’s the party afterward I want to look nice for.”