“Right now.”

“Oh, yay! Thanks for the goodies!” Her eyes lit up when she saw the bag.

I tossed them to her, and Devon gave me a little nod.

“So, Caz…” Devon waggled her eyebrows, and a wave of confusion washed over me—as usual.

“Yeah. I’m still unsure where she is, but Matrix said he would let me know.” I assumed that was what she meant.

“Huh?” she questioned, and I figured she was high, so I dropped it.

“Okay. I need your help. I’m supposed to have a date in an hour, and I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Sonya opened the bag and stuffed a handful into her mouth. “Who goes on a date at two? Is it an afternoon delight?” She sucked the orange off her finger in a suggestive way, and I wanted to puke.

“Will you grow up? It’s not like that. We are going to get to know each other better. That’s all.”

“Oh, right. The only people I go out with before dinner time are someone I want to fuck or someone I’m embarrassed to be seen with. Which is it?” She turned to Devon, who nodded in agreement.

“She asked me out and told me she was off at two. What do you think that means?” It had to be the latter.

Ember was a breathtaking beauty who could have anyone she wanted. She probably felt sorry for me. Or what if Caz paid her to do it so I didn’t get humiliated? Would she have done that? Surely not. This was not the way to start my date. Sonya was the wrong person for this job.

Just then, my phone beeped, and I picked it up.

“Hey, Shiloh. It’s Matrix. I wanted to let you know that Caz’s phone is back on and she is in her apartment. So, there’s no need to worry.”

“Oh, thank god. I appreciate you telling me. Do you think I should check on her before my date?”

“Nah. She’s a big girl.” His deep laugh bellowed through the phone, and Devon must have recognized it.

“Hey, babycakes!” she called out.

“Well, I hope you have a good time. Can you tell Devon I’ll call her later?”

“I will. Thanks again.” I hung up and turned to Devon. “Babycakes will call you later.”

“I know. We have plans.” She stood up from the couch. “Later, chicas. I need to get shit done.”

“You’re leaving before the makeover? You’re no fun.” Sonya threw a cheese ball at her, and she swatted it away.

“Flo will get it,” Devon chuckled. “You don’t need my help. Shy is good as is.” For the first time, she made sense and was complimentary.

“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Caz was the only person who ever made me feel like I didn’t need to change, but maybe Ember would think the same.

“Shy is good, but once I’m done, she will be great!” Sonya’s words weren’t as reassuring, but whatever she offered was better than I had, so I would take it.

“Whatever. I’ll see you kids later.” Devon waved and headed out the door.

“Are you ready?” Sonya clapped her hands together, sending cheese dust flying.

“What did you have in mind?” I braced myself, afraid of the laundry list of things she would say.

“How about… we pick a shirt with color?”

“That’s it? Change my shirt?” That couldn’t be all.

She said she was going to make me great. A different shirt wouldn’t do that—would it?

“Shy, Devon was right. You are amazing the way you are. But sometimes gray is sad. You need something happier—upbeat—flashy!” She jumped off the couch and rushed to her room. “Come on. I have the perfect top.”

I reluctantly followed and sat on her bed while I waited for her to fish something out of her closet.

“Found it!” She came out holding a white short-sleeved button-down shirt with shiny gold pinstripes.

“Well, I would be swimming in that since you’re so much taller than me.” The shirt was busy, but not as bad as some of her clothing.

“Will you relax? We’ll tie it up at the bottom and leave it open with a crop top under it. It will be perfect.”

“Yeah? You don’t think that would be showing too much skin?”

“No way. It will be hot. Trust me.” She held out the shirt, and I could tell she wouldn’t stop until I took it.

“Okay. I’ll try it on, but if I don’t like it, I have veto rights?” I wasn’t sure why I asked it as a question. Caz would have told me to be more assertive, but luckily, I didn’t need to be because Sonya agreed.

“Of course. I won’t let you leave here unhappy. Now put it on and let’s see.”

I was already wearing a black sports bra, so I removed my gray shirt and slid hers on. She came over and situated it before knotting the bottom and cuffing the sleeves. Then she tousled my hair and stepped back.

“Wow! Shy, you are a little hot shawty.” She laughed, but this time, it wasn’t directed at me.

I stared in the mirror. It had been so long since I had seen myself in anything other than a solid color that it took a second for my eyes to adjust, but I didn’t hate it. It seemed like something Caz could pull off, and maybe it would help me channel her energy.

“Should I put on makeup or something?” I sometimes wore eyeliner and lip gloss, but that was about it.

“No. You have gorgeous skin and don’t need to cover it with anything. Now, it’s getting close to two. Do you know what you’re going to say? You mentioned she asked you out. Where are you going?”

I stared blankly. “She didn’t say. It was more like, I get off at two—call me.”

“Then you better plan something. If you don’t, she might think it’s a hookup. Unless you want it to be that, then just text her.” She nudged me, but I brushed her off without a second thought.

“So, should I ask her to meet me somewhere? Ask to pick her up? Or give her options to choose what we do?” I realized this was the first time I had ever been in charge.

I hadn’t dated a lot, and most recently, it was Yoni, whose idea of going out meant coming to my place. She probably did that so she wouldn’t run into her other “partners.” But that didn’t matter anymore. This was a different situation, and I had to figure out what to do, but I was spiraling.

“Calm down.” Sonya’s voice cut through my mini-panic attack. “Be chill for like five seconds and let me think.”

I shouldn’t compare, but none of this would be an issue if Caz were here. She would probably have the date set up for me already. Maybe I should text her again.