The next morning, Sam texted Marni: Need to talk to you. Lunch?

Marni: Sure. 12:15

Whenever they met for lunch, it was always at the same place. Sam arrived first, but Marni came rushing in a few minutes later.

"Sorry, I was questioning a witness."

"If you were busy, we could have…"

"Nah, I needed to get away. So what's up?"

Sam smiled. "So, yesterday, Winn and I, uh…"

"You had sex!"

"No! But we kissed. A lot. Lots and lots of kissing."

"Oh, my god, what happened to change the status quo?"

"Some revelations about his past—that I can't tell you, but nothing bad. And I drank a few too many beers and we kissed, then the next day we talked and decided to start dating."

"Oh my god. This is terrific. Now about sleeping with him…"

"We're taking it slowly. We both want to be sure before we go there."

"Good idea."

"He's even taking me on our first official date on Saturday."

"Ooh, where are you going?"

"Not sure, but he said someplace fancy. So, I'm gonna need your advice."

Marni got excited. "Oh, am I finally going to be able to give you a makeover?"

"No, I just thought a nice, inexpensive outfit, maybe some new slacks and—"

"Oh, no, girl, you are getting a dress, shoes, the works."

"I hate dresses and I can't afford all that."

"It's on me. Don't fight. I've been waiting to do this since we were eighteen and you refused to dress up for anything in college. Meet me at Bloomingdale's tonight after work."

"Marni—"

"No arguments. We are doing this."

Sam knew better than to argue with her friend when she was like this.

When they were leaving work, Sam told Winn she wasn't going home.

"What's up?" he asked.

"I'm meeting Marni. We're going shopping."

"Shopping? You never shop."

"Marni insisted I get something new for our date."

Winn looked at her. "You don't have to do anything different. You're terrific just the way you are."

She kissed him on the cheek and said, "Thank you. But this could be kind of fun. I'll see you later."

"Be careful coming home. Call me if it's late and I'll meet you."

She smiled and waved goodbye and she headed for the subway that would take her to 59th and Lexington, thinking what a sweet guy he was.

Marni was like a whirlwind in the store. She shopped there often so the clerks all knew her. She wouldn't let Sam head for slacks or anything "boring". She took her to the designer dresses and pulled out a few black ones.

"Every woman needs a little black dress." Marni told her.

Sam glanced at the price tag and said, "Oh my god, no! I can't afford this!"

"I told you this is on me. And no arguments from you."

Sam shut her mouth and let Marni guide her. She tried on what felt like a million dresses. Marni liked several of them, but Sam didn't want any that were too skimpy or too fussy. They finally decided on a simply cut black dress with a square neckline and wide straps on top. It was a-line and fell an inch or two above her knee. Sam actually liked the way it looked on her.

"Okay," Marni said, "Now shoes."

"Oh, no! I am not wearing those stiletto torture devices. I won't look attractive if I'm tripping all over the place."

"We'll find you something that's attractive without killing you. I know that if you aren't used to wearing them, stilettos aren't a good idea."

Sam tried on a million more items. Then she found a pair of black patent leather sandals with a low heel, but lots of straps, making them really cute. Marni added black stocking to this purchase making Sam groan.

"What is the point of pantyhose?"

"Shut up." Marni said, dragging her to accessories. She found a cute and tiny little black purse.

"Why?" Sam asked. "I keep my stuff in my pocket or my backpack."

"You are not carrying a backpack on Saturday and there are no pockets in the dress."

She added some silver costume jewelry, opting for a statement necklace and bracelet, since Sam's ears weren't pierced. She thought about having her pierce them, but that might be a fight and anyway, she'd only have the starter earrings.

"So," Marni said, "As for makeup…"

"Do I have to? I hate makeup."

"You hate all of this. But don't worry, we'll keep it simple. A little mascara and blush. Very light. You'll be fine. But your hair, that's another story. I'm making an appointment for you with my stylist on Saturday morning. Plan on spending the day with me. We need to do a manicure and pedicure too."

"He's not going to recognize me. Anyway, he said I was terrific just as I am."

"That's so sweet. But every guy says that. They still like to see their lady dressed up."

"But…"

"Aren't you looking forward to seeing him in a suit and tie?"

Sam thought about how cute Winn was in his cardigans and chinos. How much cuter would he be all dressed up?

"I guess so."

"Unfortunately all guys need to do is shower, shave and comb their hair. Women have a lot more to do. But don't you worry, I'm going to take care of you."

Sam arrived home around ten. Winn was sitting on the sofa watching TV when she came in. He looked up and smiled when he saw her.

"Hey. No luck with your shopping?"

"No, we found everything."

"Where are your bags?"

"At Marni's. I am to be there early Saturday. She has the day planned: salons and spas, etc. I will be meeting you at the restaurant because she wants to check me before I leave."

He grinned. "You know you don't have to do all that for me."

"I think I'm doing it for her. Anyway, I don't really mind. I've never really dressed up for anything except her wedding."

"No prom?"

"Nope. I wasn't very popular and anyway my dad didn't have the money for prom dresses. I wasn't really into it anyway. How about you? Lots of proms?"

"Not really. I wasn't very popular either. And kids in foster care don't have the money either. But I did try to ask a girl in senior year. She said yes, then changed her mind when someone better asked her."

"Foolish girl." She said, as she went to him and put her arms around him.

He smiled. "So Saturday night will be our prom."

"Yeah."

He stood straight and said, "Miss Samantha Nolan, will you be my prom date?"

"I would be honored, Mister Schott."

He kissed her then.