The outfit probably had witnesses before the front door opened. Mirror photo. Second mirror photo with better light. Then the little panic text: “Too much?”

She does not send that to the friend who will kill the fun with a practical answer. She sends it to the one who remembers last time. The bartender comment. The elevator guy. The woman at the next table who stared longer than her husband did.

By the time she walks in, the look has already passed committee. Same neckline, same heel, same jacket that never quite stays closed. The group chat has receipts.