Claire put one earring in, leaned toward the mirror, and immediately wished she had stayed farther away. The cold sore was on its way out. She knew that. She was still thoroughly tired of seeing it.

“Well,” she said, “this is horrible.” From the bedroom, her sister asked whether she meant the cold sore or the dress hanging on the wardrobe. Claire looked over her shoulder. “The dress is innocent.”

They had been looking forward to this evening for weeks. Her friend Jo had finally opened the little restaurant she used to sketch on napkins during lunch breaks. Claire had listened to the plans long before there was a front door to walk through. Tonight, she wanted to be there when Jo opened it.

Earlier in the week, she had caught herself rehearsing excuses. A headache sounded believable. A sudden work emergency sounded useful. Neither sounded much like the friend she wanted to be.

Then she had found Zombie Lips. Finally, something made for the moment occupying far too much of her attention. She had brought its cold-sore care into her day, applying it at least three times daily according to the directions and keeping the applicator to herself. Having that care close mattered to her.

Now, with the episode nearing its end, she reached for it beside the mirror. Thank God she had found Zombie. She only wished she had discovered it a few days sooner, before all the mirror inspections and the arguments with herself about staying home.

Her sister appeared in the doorway holding Claire’s other earring. “You left half your evening on the bed.” Claire took it and laughed. For once, she was looking at her sister instead of her reflection.

“Do you think everybody will notice?” she asked. Her sister sat on the edge of the bath. “I think Jo has spent all day worrying whether anybody will come.”

That settled something. Claire put the second earring in. She still disliked the cold sore. She also knew exactly where she wanted to be.

Outside the restaurant, Jo was straightening a small chalkboard that was already straight. She looked up as Claire approached, and the careful opening-night expression fell away. “You came.”

“Of course I came.” Claire pointed through the window. “You actually built the napkin restaurant.” Jo laughed so hard she had to put the chalk down.

Inside, the table near the window had the view Jo had described years ago. Claire sat there while her friend hurried back to greet another guest. She watched Jo pause at the doorway, take a breath, and step into the room she had worked so hard to create.

Claire was glad she had not missed that.

Later, she reached into her pocket and felt the Zombie Lips applicator. Next time that first tingle got her attention, she would know what to reach for. Tonight, she tucked it back beside her keys and turned toward Jo, who was coming over to ask what she thought of the place.

“Tell me everything,” Claire said.

Ever wished you had discovered something a few days sooner? Keep Zombie Lips close for all-natural everyday lip care and extra attention at the first tingle. Your lips have places to be.

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