Ryan paced the room, waiting. Occasionally, he’d look at the clock. What’s taking them so long? He thought. If they don’t get back soon, we’ll be late.

Finally, he heard the front door open and Maggie walked into the room. “Well?” He asked her. “How did it go?”

Maggie’s face was a blank and Ryan feared they hadn’t found anything. But then she smiled. “She’s changing right now. Where’s Peter and Ellie?”

“In the garden.” Ryan tapped his foot impatiently. He hated it when Maggie teased him. “So, what did you and Oli—I mean, Holly, get?”

“Everything!” Maggie clapped her hands in glee. “Holly took us to a thrift shop and, at first, I thought she was a lost cause. But then she found a dress that looked great, and we found tones of other stuff!”

Ryan stifled a laugh. Thrift shop? He thought. What did they find at a second hand bargain bin? He managed to sit quietly while he waited for Oliver to change.

***

“Maggie, how does this work?” Holland called, running into the next room. She stopped when she saw Ryan sitting on the couch. She backtracked around the corner. “Uh, hi.”

“Oliver?” He whispered. “What happened? You look… beautiful.”

“Every girl has it within herself to become a lady.” She shot back, the words startling even her. “Um, could you get Maggie? I’ve never worn a dress like this and…” her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “I can’t get it on.”

Ryan’s face turned red and he spun around. “Maggie!” He called, walking down a hall. “Holly needs your help!”

“Honestly, what’s with you?” She heard Maggie’s voice and relaxed. “It’s just a dress. Why do boys always get flustered around girls’ clothing?” She rounded the corner and stopped. “Well, that would do it.”

“How do I do this?” Holland asked, turning around to show Maggie the intricate network of zippers, ties and clasps.

“You don’t.” Maggie chuckled. “You get someone else to do it.” Her hands flew along the material, tying off and clasping as quickly as she worked the zipper. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were going to wear this one.”

“I thought it might go better with the atmosphere.” Holland turned back around when Maggie had finished. “You said we were going to a party. The skirt isn’t tight around my legs, so I can dance, but the top is tight enough to look elegant.”

Maggie giggled and followed her guest back to the room she’d been changing in. “You see style in a whole new light. It’s refreshing.”

“Honestly, I don’t see style so much as efficiency. Why wear something that doesn’t have a practical purpose?” Holland pulled some jewelry from a bag and held each piece up to the dress.

In the end, she chose to keep her necklace on, since it matched the red and black dress. She also accented it with red rose earrings and a few black bangles on her wrist. For shoes, Maggie produced black flats with ribbons that wound up halfway to her knee.

When they met Ryan outside, he smiled politely, but his eyes were wide with disbelief. His suit was black with a red tie, making them look even more like a pair.

***

Ryan took hold of Oliver’s hand when they got out of the car. It would look intimate, but he also wanted her to feel calmer. Throughout the car ride, she’d fidgeted and tugged at her dress.

“You’ll be fine.” He whispered now.

Oliver looked up at him and gave a stiff nod. It was clear to anyone watching that she’d never been to a high-class party. They wouldn’t be able to claim she was a lady, but as long as she didn’t stand out in a bad way, they’d be fine.

Ryan had been to so many parties the formalities seemed to happen without him realizing. In no time, their coats had been checked, Oliver had been introduced as his fiancée, and they were mingling among the other guests.

“Such a rare beauty.” An older gentleman was saying when Ryan regained his senses. “Where did you find her, Lord Gale?”

“We met in a bookstore.” He managed to answer. “We both reached for the same book.”

“Such a romantic story.” The man’s wife cooed. “Tell me, which store was it? Our daughter could use a bit of romance in her life.”

“Hopeful Readings.” Oliver answered a bit too proudly. “Their selection of romance books is incredible.”

“Such a cute name.” The woman almost swooned. “Why have I never heard of it before now?”

“It’s a little gem hidden between a coffee shop and a second-hand clothing store in east London.” Ryan explained. “It’s in a good location, if you know what to look for.”

“We must check it out.” The man decided. “Oh, where is that daughter of ours? Molly?”

The couple left to find Molly and Oliver sighed with relief. “This is harder than it looks.” She grumbled. “I’m not used to so many compliments.”

“Why?” Ryan laced his arm around her waist. “You’re lovely. Your parents would be proud. I bet you look just like your mother.”

A dark cloud crossed Oliver’s face and she sighed again. “I wouldn’t know. My mom left when I was a baby.”

“Oh.” Ryan could have kicked himself. He’d brought up a sore subject again.

“My dad always talked like she was just visiting some friends or something.” She continued. “Until the day he died, he believed she’d come through the door at any second. For that, I hate her.”

Ryan wasn’t sure what to say in a situation like this, so he tried to change the subject. “You’re doing a great job of advertising.” He counted on his fingers. “We’ve talked to eight couples so far, and you’re worked Hopeful Readings into six of the conversations.”

“It’s easy when that’s all my life is.” She smiled. “Well, I guess not anymore.” She added in case someone was listening.