“It just tastes better this way.” I shrugged. Cold caramel coffee trumped warm caramel coffee no matter what the outside temperature. I didn’t make the rules.

“I don’t get it.” Siobhan shivered dramatically. “I practically need to carry a personal space heater everywhere I go to survive the winter.”

“That’s the Florida in you,” I said. “You’ll adapt to winters here eventually.”

She snorted. “Or freeze to death trying.”

We collected our coffees and made our way out of Starbucks and into the mall. It had just opened for the day, and it was already filling with weekend shoppers. Shopping with crowds was the worst—crowds in general, really—hopefully we wouldn’t be too long. Chase had led me to believe that probably wouldn’t be the case, though, so I’d mentally prepared myself for the possibility that I’d be here all day.

“I know I said I wouldn’t buy anything, but I think I’m going to cave on that point.”

Shiv turned to me, her eyes alight and a huge smile spread across her face. “Really? Yes! It’ll be way more fun if we’re both trying stuff on.”

Her definition of fun was wildly different from mine in this situation. Finding clothes that fit properly and didn’t make me look like even more of a giant was always a challenge, but items like dresses were somehow always hopelessly out of proportion in either length or width.

“But I have a strict budget,” I said. “Like, hard stop. I can’t go over that amount.” I really shouldn’t be spending any money, but we only live once, right? Even if it means I have to live on a bargain basement food budget as a result.

Her blue-green eyes sparkled. “I love a challenge. This is what I live for. It’s like a reality TV show where we have to compete to find the best deal.”

Good, because the idea of navigating the sales racks alone was incredibly daunting.

Coming to a stop by the mall’s directory, Siobhan scanned the list of stores, frowning in concentration.

“Okay, let’s make a battle plan.” She pointed to the screen, tracing out a path in the air with a well-manicured purple fingernail. “We should hit the department stores first. Find dresses. Then circle back for shoes.”

“Sounds good. I need shoes too.” My monthly budget was going to be blown to bits, but I could re-wear both the shoes and the dress. Or at least that’s what I told myself. Repeatedly.

“To be fair, I don’t know if I need them. My parents might kill me if they see another shoe store on the credit card statement. But Dal put in a request.” Shiv huffed a laugh, raking a hand through her dark hair. “More specifically, he asked that I buy ‘slutty’ shoes.”

I sipped my macchiato, trying to translate. “What does that even mean?”