“Don’t worry,” Colette whispered into her ear. “Just follow my lead.”
Tess nodded, but her smile didn’t hide the nerves she felt.
“Take my arm,” said Colette, “you’re my date, after all.”
“Right.” Tess took Colette’s arm and, as she hooked her elbow around Colette’s, she tried not to feel too happy about it. She knew the date was fake, but she couldn’t help it. Colette was right next to her, real and in the flesh, a vision of everything Tess admired, and she’d chosen her to stand next to her. Nerves and excitement mixed together in Tess’s stomach to make some weird, jumpy mess. Tess just had to hope that she didn’t embarrass either of them.
The inside of the hotel where the gala was being held was just as luxurious as the outside. Decked out like a ballroom, with Christmas decorations
