His head tilts and one side of his mouth tips up. “What is with you today? You seem so different.” He rubs his chin. “No. That’s not right, you still seem like yourself, but—”

“I’m still me. I’m just more me.”

He nods slowly. “Right.”

I back away. I need to get back. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, see you,” he calls out, but I’m already running to the pay phone.

“Eloise?”

I make it to my building just in time. I had to rush back to Emeryville after watching Dolly audition and hanging out with the queens and inviting them to Alex’s show later.

Eloise is walking out the front entrance, her gaze is lowered, and she’s deep in thought so when I say her name, she startles and looks up.

“Oh, hey.” She gives me a tremulous smile, her eyes darting to the ground before landing on my face. “I thought you were at work and I left a note and I—”

“It’s okay. Listen, I want to apologize. I’ve been terrible and you didn’t deserve it. Can you come upstairs so we can talk?”

Her mouth opens and closes. “Yes. Yes, of course.”

We go upstairs and have our conversation and after that’s done, again, I give her the dress I’ve been working on for a while now. Of course, she doesn’t know that.

“Here. I made this for you.” I hand her the dress. It’s a simple design, strapless, tight around the bust, and the skirt is an asymmetrical ruffle. But the colors are vibrant, varying shades of red and purple and white.

“Jane, it’s gorgeous. When did you make this?” She takes it into my room to hold it up in front of the mirror.

“Oh you know.” I shrug, leaning against the doorframe while she examines it. “I had some spare time and I’ve been playing around.”

“Playing around?” She spins to face me, her eyes wide. “This is incredible.”

“Good. I’m glad you approve.” I also knew she would approve since we discussed the design and I measured her for it a week ago, but she doesn’t remember that. I glance at the clock. “Oh we should get ready. They’ll be waiting for us.”

“Who’s waiting for us?”

“My friends.” I grin. “C’mon. Let’s go out.”

“We should find Harry, cut off his balls, throw them in the bay, dump him off at Alcatraz, and let the birds eat him.” Queen Bee lifts her glass like she’s toasting instead of roasting.

“That’s seems maybe a little excessive?” Eloise says, but she raises her glass to Bee’s with a smile.

“Baby, morally gray is my favorite color.”

Presley bursts out laughing.