“What? It’s my turn. I’m an only child, and I never learned how to share.” Besides, she had a feeling Nicole would be easier to get information out of if he wasn’t around. What they were doing all afternoon had just become the mystery du jour. “I’m assuming you’re in charge of wardrobe again?”

“In charge? Definitely not.” Nicole laughed. “But I’ll help you if you want.”

“Oh, don’t act like you didn’t have fun this morning,” Stella said. “Dress me, darling. I want to be beautiful.”

One hour later, Stella sashayed into the Blue Lagoon feeling completely at home in a halter sundress and sandals with an excessive amount of platform and calf-binding straps. Nicole had also picked out a lush floral crown and done her makeup again—something she never wore at home.

Being a Fancy Lady for the night felt surprisingly comfortable. On the scale of super-duper femme to baby stud of the year, she’d always felt like she belonged dead center, too lazy to care about anything other than a proper skin care routine, ChapStick, and the occasional dress to twirl in.

“Someday, some hour,” Stella said. “At this point, rooms like this shouldn’t affect me. And yet.”

“I found it this morning. I walked in and walked right back out. Ridiculous,” Nicole said.

Lush green foliage covered the walls. Leafy plants crowded the room—tall, squat, and thick. Twisting rope vines hung from the ceiling in erratic patterns. Flowers in a plethora of vibrant colors bloomed and filled the warm humid room with tropical scents that mixed with the smell of dirt. A paved cement path curved in a meandering arc, separating the plants from the pool.

A darkened grotto, created by craggy faux rocks, made a mini waterfall at the deep end. The water spilled over the edge and roared straight into the main body of water. Jewel, Olive, Ethan, and Francis stood at the shallow end near yellow pinstriped tents.

“It’s too quiet in here. Where are the birdcalls? The annoying buzzing insects? Where is the ambience?” Stella noted. “Criticisms aside, shall we go mingle?”

“Sure,” Nicole said.

“Uh, not me. I think I’m going to get something to eat,” Harlow said, pointing to and leaving for the buffet spread, which just so happened to be on the opposite side of the room as Jewel and the Gang. Nicole had worked her magic on a reluctant Harlow too—a pair of jean cutoffs and a loose floral top. She’d paired her look with a large pair of black sunglasses that swallowed half her face.

“Is she all right? Really?” Nicole asked.

Instead of getting food, Harlow shot straight past the table to sit in the corner, on the ground, under a particularly perfect cove of giant leaves. She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her shins.

“No. I don’t think she is.”