Chapter 2

Ethan's hand went rigid.

He avoided my gaze and mumbled something to cover it up: "The shop had a buy-one-get-one deal. I just didn't want it to go to waste."

Then he dug the tickets out of his pocket, changing the subject.

"Got the tickets, but there were only two left."

"Three of us, two tickets. Someone's going to have to go to the visitor center and call an Uber."

Chloe immediately pressed a hand to her forehead, her voice dripping with delicate exhaustion.

"But I've been on my feet all day. I'm so hot and tired—not like Mia."

She glanced over at me.

"Mia's got it easy, actually. With a bald head, you don't have to worry about sweat making your hair stick to your face."

"Having long hair like mine? Absolute torture."

Ethan turned to me without a second thought.

"You take the Uber."

"It's not far anyway. Ten, fifteen minutes tops."

I let out a cold laugh. "Ethan, why does it have to be me?"

He frowned impatiently.

"Mia, you just had a fight with Chloe. If I send her back with you, am I supposed to feel good about that?"

I wanted to say more, but Ethan was already shepherding Chloe toward the shuttle.

Chloe took a few steps, then turned back and winked at me.

"Mia, when you're in the car, make sure you hold on tight to your wig, okay? If the wind blows it off, good luck getting it back."

She laughed and ducked into the shuttle.

I stood there and watched them leave.

By the time my Uber pulled up to the party venue, the scene in front of me stopped me in my tracks.

A banner was strung across the hotel lobby.

*Bald Party.*

Chloe's party friends were all wearing bald-cap wigs, standing around grinning.

"Surprise!"

Chloe bounced over to me.

"Mia, we planned this whole party just for you! We were worried you'd feel awkward being the only bald one, so we had everyone put on bald caps. That way you won't feel like you stand out!"

Just then, a guy walked up to Chloe holding a bald cap.

"Chloe, we're all wearing them. You should try one too."

"It's actually kinda fun."

But Chloe giggled and hid behind Ethan.

"No way."

"It's way too ugly. I am *not* putting that thing on."

The words left her mouth, and then she paused, as if suddenly realizing something. She bit her lip and turned to me, but her eyes were unmistakably amused.

"Mia, I didn't mean to call you ugly."

I looked at her, rage rising in my chest.

"Chloe, you said back there that it was the last time you'd joke about this."

The room went silent for a beat.

Chloe's expression turned awkward. She lowered her head in a fluster, her voice thick with grievance.

"Mia, what… what do you mean?"

"Ethan and I planned this party for you. Aren't you happy? We did all of this *for* you."

"I just wanted to show you that being bald isn't a big deal."

"Honestly, I think you look cool and low-maintenance with a bald head. You know how much work long hair is to manage."

Ethan frowned and stepped forward to pull me aside.

"Mia, that's enough. Chloe means well."

"Who knew you'd be this petty? You can't even take a little joke?"

He lowered his voice, edged with warning.

"Stop making a scene. Everyone's watching."

Chloe sniffled, lifted her head, and forced a smile.

"Mia, how about this."

"I still haven't given you a wedding gift from your marriage to Ethan. Let me make up for it now—consider it my apology."

She held out a gift box.

I stared at it. I didn't move.

Ethan nudged me.

"Open it. See what Chloe got you."

I took a deep breath, accepted the box, and unwrapped it.

Inside lay a scalp-polishing kit.