“He wouldn’t be completely wrong,” Paula said. “But I see what you’re saying. When I met him on campus, I totally understood why you’d want to cavort. He’s a gentleman who brings women potted plants.”

“Potted plants?” Regina asked.

“He brought me an orchid plant,” Victoria explained. “It was a beautiful gesture.” And a naughty private joke. A smile touched her lips every time she glanced at it.

“Aww, that’s really cute.”

Victoria returned to the issue at hand. “And then there was this thing with his niece, Becca. The situation at her school felt so familiar and painfully awkward. I remember being helpless when I was her age, not knowing where I fit in or who to ally with. By the time he drove me back to the school, it all felt too messy.”

“Okay, that’s a long list of excuses,” Paula said. Victoria could almost hear her roll her eyes. “But that’s life; it’s messy and complicated. Romance is no different.”

“Day-drunk Paula is right,” Regina added. “While I commend you for trying to stay neat and in control, romance isn’t like ticking boxes on a sushi menu.”

The comparison wasn’t unfair. “Maybe you’re both right,” she said as she checked herself out in the mirror. “I think I’m shocked by how quickly I got used to the idea of a fun, flirty affair. It was so...liberating. Like I was rebelling against something.”

“And the first time he started talking about ‘first dates,’ you freaked out,” Paula said above the sound of swishing fabric. “Are you afraid of commitment?”

“I like John,” Victoria said, staring at her reflection. “God, this sounds so stupid. I think I like like him, so yeah, I’m afraid of a ton of things.”

She was met with silence. For once her friends had nothing to say?

“This one’s a little too low-cut for my taste,” she said, changing the subject.

“Let’s see it,” Regina said.

She tried to hitch the neckline upward before pulling back the curtain. “What do you think? Too much?”

Regina cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. “I think you could go lower actually.” She went ahead and adjusted the neckline herself.

“Hey, wait—”

“Aw hush, you don’t get to have these titties and not show them off every once in a while.”

“Reggi!”

Penny, the boutique owner, and a statuesque black woman with a giant sandy colored afro and leather leggings, walked over. They had been loud enough for her to listen to their dressing room discussion. With her hands on her hips, she pursed her lips and appraised the dress on Victoria. “She’s right, that one is actually classified as a ‘freakum dress.’ And you’re filling it out perfectly,” she said with a smile. “I think you should try on some shoes for the full effect.”

“Aaaayyyeee,” Paula called from her stall. “Get it, girl.”