ARIA’S POV

“Stop moving!” Camile laughs, trying to zip up my dress while I fidget with the straps. “You’re like a worm right now.”

“I can’t help it,” I say, staring at myself in her bedroom mirror. “I look ridiculous.”

“You look hot. There’s a difference.” She steps back and grins at me. “Miles is gonna lose his mind when he sees you.”

I tug at the hem of my black dress. It’s shorter than anything I usually wear, borrowed from Camile’s closet because apparently my entire wardrobe screams “virgin who’s never been kissed properly.”

“I still think this is too much,” I mutter.

“Ari, honey, it’s not too much. It’s just right.” She walks over to her dresser and pulls out a small Victoria’s Secret bag. “Speaking of just right…”

My face burns. “You actually bought it?”

“Of course I bought it! I told you I would.” She tosses the bag at me, and I catch it with shaking hands. “Go on, look at it.”

I peek inside and immediately want to disappear into the floor. Red lace. So much red lace. And so little fabric.

“Camile, this is… this is basically string.”

“It’s sexy! That’s the point!” She plops down on her bed, grinning like she just won the lottery. “Trust me, when Miles sees you in that, he’s gonna forget how to speak.”

“What if he laughs?”

“He’s not gonna laugh. He’s a teenage boy, Ari. They don’t laugh at naked girls in lingerie.”

I hold up the bra, if you can even call it that. “Where’s the rest of it?”

“That is the rest of it. Look, do you want to be memorable or not?”

I do want to be memorable. I’ve spent eighteen years being forgettable, being the girl who blends into the background. Maybe it’s time for that to change.

“Okay,” I say, stuffing the lingerie back into the bag. “Okay, I can do this.”

“That’s my girl!” Camile jumps up and hugs me. “You’re gonna have the most amazing night. I’m so jealous.”

“You’ve done this before. Like, multiple times.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never done it with someone I actually care about. You and Miles have been together for six months. That’s like, serious relationship territory.”

Six months. Has it really been that long? Sometimes it feels like we just started dating, and other times it feels like we’ve been together forever. Tonight will definitely make it feel more real.

My phone buzzes. The Uber app shows my driver is two minutes away.

“That’s my ride,” I say, grabbing my purse and the little Victoria’s Secret bag.

“Text me when you get there. And text me after. I want details. Not gross details, but like… good details.”

“I’m not giving you details!”

“Fine, but at least tell me how it went. On a scale of one to ten.”

I shake my head, but I’m smiling. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m supportive. There’s a difference.” She walks me to the door. “Seriously though, Ari, if you change your mind or if anything feels wrong, just call me. I’ll come get you no matter what time it is.”

“Thanks, Cam. Really.”

“That’s what best friends are for. Now go lose your virginity!”

The ride to Miles’ apartment takes forever and no time at all. My stomach is doing backflips the entire way, and I keep checking my reflection in my phone camera. Do I look okay? Do I look like someone who’s about to have sex for the first time?

The driver keeps glancing at me in the rearview mirror, probably wondering why I look like I’m about to throw up.

When we pull up to Miles’ building, I sit in the car for a minute, staring up at his third-floor window. I can see the light on. He’s up there waiting for me.

“This is it, right?” the driver asks.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

I get out and walk slowly toward the entrance. Miles gave me the code to get in weeks ago, back when we first started talking about me coming over when his roommate wasn’t home. I punch in the numbers and the door clicks open.

The elevator ride feels like it takes an hour. I check my reflection one more time in the mirrored walls. My hands are shaking as I clutch the Victoria’s Secret bag.

This is it. This is really happening.

I walk down the hallway to apartment 3B and stop in front of the door. I can hear music playing inside, something low and jazzy. He’s really set the mood.

I knock softly but there is no answer. I knock again, a little louder this time.

Still nothing.

Maybe he can’t hear me over the music? I try the doorknob and it turns easily. The door swings open.

“Miles?” I call out, stepping inside. “It’s me.”

The first thing I notice is clothes on the floor. A lot of clothes. Men’s clothes and…

My stomach drops.

There are also women’s clothes.

“Miles?” I call again, but my voice comes out smaller this time.

I walk further into the apartment, my heart pounding so hard I can hear it over the music. The living room is empty, but there’s a wine bottle on the coffee table. Two glasses. Both have lipstick on the rim.

“Miles, are you—”

A door opens down the hall and Miles walks out of his bedroom.

Completely naked.

He sees me and his eyes go wide, his face turning pale.

“Ari? What are you… I thought you were coming tomorrow—”

“Tonight,” I whisper. “We said tonight.”

Before he can say anything else, before he can try to explain or lie or whatever he was about to do, another figure appears in the doorway behind him.

And it is a girl, who is also completely naked. The Victoria’s Secret bag falls from my hand and hits the floor with a soft thud.