FIONA stood behind Vivian, carefully adjusting the final strap of her dress, her fingers precise and gentle. The room smelled faintly of perfume and hair spray, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm sheen over Vivian’s reflection in the mirror. Vivian stood still, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, her heart thudding harder with every second that passed.
“You look… insane,” Fiona said finally, stepping back to admire her work. “Like the kind of woman men write poems about and lose sleep over.”
Vivian laughed softly, her cheeks already warming.
“Stop it. You are making me more nervous than I already am.”
Fiona grinned.
“As you should be. This is your first date with a man who has been melting over your voice for weeks.”
Vivian took a deep breath and looked at herself. T
