Standing in front of the mirror dressed in only a black strapless bra and thong, she placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. “It would have been nice if you had knocked,” she spoke curtly, her eyes straying to the dress bag held firmly in her mother’s arms. “Is that for me?” She eyed the designer stamp across the top of the bag and scoffed. “I’d be happy to wear one of the hundreds of gowns still hung in the wardrobe over there,” she said, gesturing towards her small walk-in-wardrobe in the corner of the room. “Don’t be silly,” her mother snapped, bustling forward and unzipping the bag to reveal the dress. “You must match Benjamin tonight.” Ashley gulped as a flash of emerald lace caught her eye. “We have to... match?” “Of course,” she said, releasing the coat hanger so that the dust bag fell to the floor. She held the dress up in the air, her eyes widening and a smile crossing her lips.
