This was going to end badly, I just knew it. Reluctantly I sidestepped half unpacked boxes and shimmied on my little black dress. It wasn't overly sexy but it showed lots of leg and the sheer cutouts hinted at my cleavage without being obscene. I felt comfortable in it. Sarah whistled loudly from the bed. "Yes ma'am that's the one!"

"It's not too stuffy?" I asked smoothing the dress over my stomach and hips.

"It's not slutty but it's not grandmaish either." She finished off the last of the mimosas. "It's hot but understated, it says look at me without being desperate."

"Gee thanks!" I said sarcastically.

"No it's perfect." She insisted, "it says I came here to dance not fuck!"

I laughed nervously, "Definitely not fucking anyone tonight!"

She gave me a look, almost pity but somehow it conveyed hope and healing all at once. "You'll get there babe." She said softly. Then as if we hadn't had this moment she started rummaging through my makeup and attacked me with cosmetics.

"I don't even understand how you drunkenly did my makeup better than I can stone cold sober." I laughed as we made our way to my front door an hour later.
"Practice!" She giggled playfully swatting my butt with her purse.

She didn't just walk she strutted in a low cut purple bodycon dress and strappy black heels she had pilfered from my half unpacked closet. I envied her confidence. Her hair was dark auburn and curled artfully around her face, while my hair was ash blonde and while she had tried her best to curl it the best she had been able to achieve was some beachy waves.

Still I felt cute, the mimosas helped, as did the ache in my muscles from lifting all those boxes and the heavy furniture. I felt excited for the first time in a while, light and free. I Beas only twenty six, I should be going bar hopping with my bestie without a care in the world.  But a shiver of fear raced down my spine making me shiver even as we made our way down the sidewalk to Sine an Irish bar where we were meeting Sarah's friends.