“At least you’re not wearing a scuba mask.”

“No, but I’m not sure sequins are the most breathable fabric.”

“But you look fabulous. Um. Celia—I hate to ask, but is that dress from the Togshop? It’s really not a big deal, as long as it gets back. But because I’m the one who gave you the key…”

“Oh,” I said.

“I know you probably weren’t thinking,” Phoebe said. “And again, it’s a minor infraction, probably not a thing I’ll get in too much trouble for if they find out it’s missing, but…”

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“It’s okay,” she said slowly.

“I’ll take it off right now.”

“You can keep wearing it—like—truly, you look incredible in it, and Ros should see you in it.…”

“It’s not worth it,” I said. “You’re you. And this is just a dress.”

“Thanks,” said Phoebe. She took a hard look at the risotto. “I mean, it definitely should be absorbing faster than that.”

She bent and peered beneath the pot.

“Aha!” she said. “I’ve figured out the problem!”

She clicked on the burner, and the flame caught. I left to change into my overalls, and by the time I got back, Ros had arrived.

Ros was sweating profusely. Their T-shirt was on inside out and backward. It was obvious they’d forgotten about the dinner party entirely and come in the middle of whatever—or whomever—they were doing.

They offered me a half-eaten bag of tortilla chips. “We brought you these,” they said, and they seemed to be breathless, gasping for air, like they’d sprinted all the way from Jess Orlando’s. “I’m so sorry we’re late.”

“You’re never going to believe this,” said Jess. “But the reason we’re late is that there was a wolf on my lawn!”

“What,” said Audrey, “Seriously!? Should I worry about the goats?”

“A wolf,” I said incredulously, looking right at Ros.

“There are wolves here?” Touchstone said.

“There used to be,” said Phoebe, “but that was a long time ago.”

“Maybe they’re coming farther south? I was reading this thing that as food sources become scarcer…,” Oliver said.

“Oh my God,” cried Jess. “I didn’t even notice you were here! Blade, again!”

I linked my arm with Oliver’s in a way that I hoped looked both natural and proprietary. I checked to see if Ros was taking note of our closeness, and much to my delight, they looked surprised to see the two of us behaving, albeit momentarily, as though we were together.

“Oliver, this is my friend Ros,” I said, adding a little extra relish to the word friend.

“Hi,” said Oliver, extending his hand to Ros, “I think we may have met at Lovers’ Lagoon. It’s a pleasure.”