You stand in front of the mirror, twirling slightly, admiring the way the fabric of your new dress flows around you. The colors, the fit—it’s perfect. You can’t help but smile to yourself. Just then, the door creaks open, and you turn around to see Asher stepping inside the house. Your excitement bubbles over as you rush to him, the dress swaying with each step.

"Isn't it beautiful?" you beam, spinning a little to show off the dress.

Asher’s eyes widened, his expression torn between disbelief and shock. "You made a dress… out of my curtain?!"

You freeze. Your smile falters as you look down at the dress again, suddenly piecing together the familiar pattern. Oh no… this was his curtain fabric. Before you can even muster an apology, he speaks again, his voice quieter, more conflicted.

"I'm trying to propose to her... but she... she thinks we’re already in a relationship," he says, his voice trailing off in frustration.

You gasp, the gravity of his words hitting you like a wave. “Wait, she thinks you’re already…? Oh, Asher,” you start, your mind quickly running through the best advice you could offer. "Maybe she’s confused because of how you act around her?"

You continue talking, gesturing, lost in your own thoughts about how he should approach the situation with his girl. “You have to be clear about your intentions, Take her somewhere special—"

Suddenly, you feel a firm grip around your waist, and you stop short. You look up to find Asher right in front of you, closer than you realized. His hand tightens slightly as he steadies you, keeping you from bumping into him.

"You're not helping, princess," he murmurs with a sigh