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Chapter 8

"This calls for the big guns!" Liz declares, and I'm still clueless as I step out of the shower, towel wrapped around me.

Moments later, Alanis Morissette blasts through the tinny laptop speakers. Of course. Liz knows Alanis is my ultimate comfort soundtrack, and the second Ironic kicks in, I can't help but smile. It's wide, almost ridiculous. I need this. I need to pull myself together.

She's already laid out my black mini dress on the bed and is lining up makeup across the dresser like we're prepping for battle.

"So I'm wearing this?" I ask, raising a brow at the dress.

"Yeah... no need to argue, baby. That, the black pumps, silver jewelry to break it up, and your sparkly clutch."

"You've got it all figured out, then?"

She nods without breaking song. "It's like rain on your wedding day..."

I sigh. Of course she does.

"And what are you wearing, silly?"

She just wiggles her eyebrows.

"Black jumpsuit. Open back," she finally says, with a glint in her eye.

"Poor boy. He doesn't stand a chance, right?"

"Not a chonce," she replies in her best Niall accent, and I burst into laughter.

She sets to work on my hair, curling it into waves, then starts on makeup like she's a Hollywood stylist. Concentration etched across her face.

"Don't move, damn it!" she scolds as I giggle.

"I can't help it."

"You're going out on a date with a hot guy, Ashley."

"Boy," I correct automatically.

"Guy," she shoots back. "Actually, one of the sexiest people alive."

"Oh Lord..." I groan.

"You can roll your eyes all you want. But the truth is still the truth. And you should feel very appreciative of your friend who's busting her ass to make you look smoking."

She stops and tilts my chin up with her thumb, suddenly serious.

"You better leave those dusty inhibitions at the door and just... I don't know, flirt. Smile. Breathe."

"Okay," I say softly—not because I believe her, but because I don't want to disappoint her.

Five minutes later, Oughta Know is playing and Liz declares me "done." I glance in the mirror and, for a second, I see someone else. Not the usual sporty, practical professor. Someone bolder. Maybe even a little bit... sexy?

"You're welcome," Liz says behind me, satisfied.

"Thank you. For this. For everything," I reply, still watching my reflection.

"Stop admiring your hot ass and help me get ready," she laughs, pulling her jumpsuit from the wardrobe.

"I'll do your hair," I offer, and our giggles fill the room again.

Twenty minutes later, we're singing loudly to Crazy when I see the notification light blink on my phone.

H: I'm outside.

Flushed and suddenly awkward, I point to the door and mouth Harry to Liz. She cuts the singing, just barely. I open the door to find him smiling at us.

"Quite the singers, you two!" he grins.

"I love Alanis," he adds, still standing there like a fan catching us mid-performance.