It was because Matt was different that she was in a state. “I don’t know what to wear.”
“Wear a dress.”
“I don’t own a dress of any sort. I haven’t worn one since that arrogant ball-brain put his hand up my skirt at prom. He said, ‘It’s time you lost your virginity,’ and I said, ‘I feel the same way about your hand.’ They had to ice his wrist.”
“I know. I was there. And that whole incident was hideous, but it was a long time ago, Frankie.”
“He was the beginning of a long line of dating disasters.” She stood up, knowing she was being unfair. She was expecting her friend to understand, but she hadn’t given her all the information, had she? She’d never told her about the D minus. She’d never told anyone. Except Matt.
Matt knew.
She gave a moan and covered her face with her hands. “Why don’t you go instead of me?”
“Because Matt didn’t ask me, and also I’m busy tonight.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m having a cozy night in on my own.” Eva’s tone was bright and Frankie looked at her, her own problems receding.
“Paige is out with Jake?”
/> “He got tickets to some premiere uptown. Lucky them. And don’t look at me like that. I’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to being on my own.”
“Liar.”
“Okay, maybe I’m not exactly looking forward to it but it’s good for me to get used to being on my own.”
Frankie felt something squeeze inside her. “Are you feeling sad?”
Eva gave a wobbly smile. “Every now and then, but I’m doing fine so you don’t need to worry.”
“You should go out with Matt. That way I don’t get the stress and you don’t have to sit on your own brooding. It’s the perfect solution.”
“It’s not the perfect solution. He asked you, not me.”
“You two would be perfect together. Him with all his strong family values and you with the whole Cinderella thing.”
“What Cinderella thing? You want me to wear rags and clean his apartment?”
“No, but you both believe in love. You’d be a perfect couple.”
“Except for one major drawback—I’m not interested in Matt that way, and Matt isn’t interested in me. He’s interested in you.” Eva turned back to the clothes, rejecting two pairs of black yoga pants. “I agree these are slim pickings. Are you sure I can’t persuade you to borrow one of my dresses?”
“No, thanks. No offense, but your dresses all have ‘take me’ written all over them.”
“In that case I wish someone would pay attention. Okay. No dress. Move over so I can take a better look at what we’re working with.” She rifled through the clothes on Frankie’s bed and fished out a pair of emerald-green leggings. “These might work. They’re pretty. When did you buy them?”
“I didn’t. You and Paige bought them for me when you had that day in Bloomingdale’s.”
“I remember. That was a great day. I never see you in them. Don’t you like them?”
“I like them,” Frankie conceded, “but I don’t want to ruin them by wearing them.”
“They’re supposed to be worn.”
“I never know what to wear them with.”
“I have a beautiful silk tunic that would look perfect. And a matching purse. I’ll fetch them in a moment, but first show me your shoes. I don’t want to make two journeys.”