I grab it out of her hands. “Yeah, what’s wrong with it? With my maroon sweater underneath? I thought it might look cute.” I hold it up against myself and stare in the mirror. Zora and I are in one of the numerous bedrooms in the cottage, balancing on the edge of a massive, bigger-than-king-size bed. The style is definitely winter country charm, with furry blankets and plaid-covered throw pillows neatly stacked across the bed.

>>Ah, what every girl wants—to look like a five-year-old at the boy she likes parents’ Christmas party.

Jinx leaps up on to the covers next to Zora. They both tilt their heads to one side at the same time, judging me.

“All right, I get it!” I say, and throw the dress over Jinx’s head. He leaps out of the way just in time.

Then I sigh and sit down next to Zora. “What am I going to do? I have no idea what to wear to a full-on formal Christmas party.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not exactly prepped for this level of…” She gestures around us. “What do you even call this anyway? Richness doesn’t seem to cover it. Wealth? Glamour? Extravagance? At least I’m not the one who’s trying to impress the parents. Although Tobias’s brother is so cute.”

I drop back onto the bed, my head bouncing against the fluffy mattress. Everything is so luxurious and comfortable. But still, I groan. “Don’t remind me.”

“Ladies, I think I might have a solution.”

I sit bolt upright again and turn to the voice that has just appeared in the doorway. It’s Ashley, and over her arm are several sparkly, shimmery dresses. Jupiter comes bounding in, and he leaps up onto the bed, so that all our bakus are sitting together in a row.

I stand up and take a few dresses from Ashley’s overloaded arm, admiring the richness of the fabrics. Already I can see they’re far more appropriate to wear to this Christmas party than anything Zora and I would have, even in our wardrobes back home. Even Z, who isn’t the most fashion-forward individual, gasps as she looks at what’s on offer.

“Where did you get all of these?”

Ashley cringes. “Would you think less of me if I told you I brought them myself? I’m bad at knowing what to wear, so I always bring a ton of options.”

“What, you mean these are all yours?”

“Yep. And I know you’re a lot taller than me, Lacey, but I think we might have something that can work. Some of my midi dresses would probably look mini on you!”

I shrug. “Anything has to be better than what I have to wear!”