Annie and Laura return to their cabin

Fresh from the shower, Annie barely had time to step out before Laura seized her wrist and yanked her down the train's passageways, denying her even the chance to snatch up a towel. "You just had to go and embarrass me didn't you?"

"You're the one who's embarrassed?!"

"Of course I am! You're my employee. How do you think it reflects on me and my agency when my assistant is prancing around naked and using ice cream as body wash? And don't think I'm buying that 'I was itchy' crap."

"Not regular itchy, Boss! It was like my skin was burning!"

"You really are a drama queen, aren't you?"

When they finally reached their cabin, both froze in alarm at the sight of their empty closet.

"Who stole all my clothes?!"

"Uh, Boss? That window was definitely shut earlier..."

Laura shoved Annie aside and leaned out into the darkness. Through the gloom, she barely made out one of her white shirts fluttering away in the wind, vanishing into the night.

"ARE. YOU. KIDDING ME?" A flood of thoughts assaulted Laura, about how expensive those clothes had been, and how the next payday wasn't for a few weeks. "Fantastic, I'm stuck with what I'm wearing!"

"Well, at least you're wearing something! What am I supposed to put on?!"

Laura glanced down at her own outfit—jeans, a tee, sneakers, and a fetching red leather jacket that had been expensive even with the discount. Passably decent, but no extra layers she could loan Annie. Except her underwear, maybe, but Laura doubted it would accommodate Annie's less ample proportions.

"Not my problem. You're the one who decided to strip for a clown's approval. If you're that ****, go raid the circus wardrobe."

"But Boss—"

"Zip it! The way I see it, this happened on your watch, so it's only fair I keep my clothes."

Annie huffed dramatically and stormed out, leaving Laura to mull over the situation.

This had to be deliberate. But who’d pull this kind of stunt? Laura’s investigative instincts flickered to life for the first time in ages—until Annie reentered, interrupting her.

Laura barely suppressed a snort at the sight of her assistant. Annie was squeezed into a string bikini—a bra so minuscule that her areolas poked out from the sides, and a thong so flimsy it vanished beneath her wild, untamed ginger curls.

"That was seriously the best you could manage?"

"Either this or one of the magician’s dissolving bodysuits. I figured water resistance was a priority."

"Smart, considering the forecast. Hope you like walking in the rain."

Annie let out a miserable groan, already dreading tomorrow’s inevitable walk of shame. "Can't wait."