She took one final glance at herself before making her way downstairs, carefully navigating each step out of fear of falling and breaking her neck. You may be able to buy the right outfit to make yourself look graceful and elegant, but she was sure no matter how expensive her shoes were, she was still more than capable of falling in them.

Mary: "Nice dress- you look amazing!"
Emily: "Thanks."
Mary: "You must be making loads of money from your photography now, that's fantastic."

Emily's smile faltered slightly as she glanced out the window.

Emily: "A little… but the dress was a gift."
Mary: "A gift? Nice. How much did that set Stone back? Five? Six hundred?"
Emily: "I don't know."

Silence fell between them for a few minutes as Mary continued to watch Emily closely. Emily did her best to pretend she didn't notice, watching for approaching headlights in the darkness. Finally, Mary slammed her coffee cup down in frustration.

Mary: "Well? When are you going to say something about it?!"

Emily jumped, started by her friend's outburst. She looked around, wondering if there was new furniture or a piece of artwork she'd missed. Then she looked closely at Mary's hair, trying to remember what color it had been this morning. Nothing seemed different; everything was in its usual place.

Emily: "Say something about what?"
Mary: "Oh please, you know exactly what. I hate the way you've been holding this over my head, acting all superior."
Emily: "I'm not acting superior! He said I could pick out a new dress!"

Mary: "What?! The hell are you talking about?"
Emily: "What are you talking about?"
Mary: "You know very well what happened after the Christmas party, and you've been absolutely intolerable about it."

Emily: "Mary, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Mary: "Oh right, like James didn't tell everyone I slept with Chris. He practically took out a full page ad in the paper announcing it!"

Emily stared at Mary in shocked disbelief, unable to form a coherent response for a few seconds. The sound of tires on the pavement outside the house brought her back to reality.

Emily: "You have some nerve talking about my choice of boyfriends."

Emily turned on her heel and stormed out the front door, slamming it behind her. She paused for a half second, not expecting to see a limo, but quickly recovered. She slid in quickly next to Andy, still seething.

Andy: "Is everything ok?"
Emily: "Yes… no."
Andy: "What's wrong?"
Emily: "Mary's such a hypocrite!"

Emily choked back a few strangled sobs as the car pulled away from the curb, the frustration welling up inside her to intolerable levels. How could things have gone so wrong so quickly?

Andy: "What happened?"
Emily: "God, I don't even want to think about it. She just… she keeps sticking her nose into my personal life, like I'm six years old or something. But it's ok for her to turn around and do absolutely stupid things and then get mad at me because of how I'm acting before I even know what's going on!"
Andy: "Well maybe-"
Emily: "I mean, first of all, you'd think she's got enough going on in her own life to leave mine alone for a while! And I suppose it'd be ok if she didn't turn around and do completely idiotic things behind my back…"

Emily took a deep breath and let it out quickly, as if forcing the air out of her lungs would take away the irritation that was currently plaguing her. All she wanted to do was concentrate on this evening with Andy, and yet she couldn't get beyond feeling somehow betrayed by Mary.

Andy: "Are you going to be ok?"
Emily: "Yeah. I mean, I love her to death, I really do, but the woman can be downright infuriating!"
Andy: "If it helps any, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. Is this the dress you picked out?"
Emily: "Yes, do you like it?"
Andy: "I love it. It looks stunning on you."

Emily felt her earlier anger melting away, replaced by a feeling of calm and belonging as Andy pulled her close. After a lingering kiss, he pulled away slowly and smiled as he stared deep into her eyes. She held his gaze for a moment, her smile matching his own.

Emily: "Did you get your hair cut?"
Andy: "I did, yes."
Emily: "It's sexy."
Andy: "Thank you."

Emily gently caressed Andy's face, following the contours with a light touch that sent a thrill through his body.

Emily: "Would you mind if I took some pictures of you? I was thinking today about how it seems I've photographed everyone but you."
Andy: "I'd be honored. Are you feeling better?"
Emily: "I am now."

Andy: "Good. I don't like seeing you upset. Now, before I forget, I picked up a refill for your prescription since you said you were running low. Are they still helping?"
Emily: "Yes, thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you, Andy."
Andy: "You don't need to worry about that, angel."