Chapter 19
Viv stared at her reflection, wondering if she was cut out for this. There weren’t many occasions where she was asked to attend in formal wear, but of the few, she’d experienced a great sense of dread.
Andthiswas why. Dress-shopping, for her, didn’t come without mass doses of anxiety, frustration, and ultimate disappointment.
“How does it fit?”
Viv recognized Camila’s voice from the other side of the stall. She was the personal chef who married Duke’s brother, James.
“I might…need another size. I don’t know.”
“I definitely do,” Betzy said from a distant dressing room. Betzy Benton—well, Kingsley now that she’d married Sawyer—had come up with the idea to dress-shop for the gala while the men got measured for tux alterations. Something they apparently did often to ensure the best fit no matter their size/fluctuation. No wonder they always looked perfect.
“Ready or not, time for the reveal,” Kat said. She was the one who married Duke’s twin, Zander, on live TV.
The echo of tiny clicks and clanks sounded in the small space followed by the repeated creak of dressing room doors opening one by one.
Viv gripped the knob, gave it a twist, and felt her shoulders droop another notch at the idea of stepping out in the gown. It’d looked gorgeous on the wall. A-line cut, off the shoulder sleeve, layers of tulle and lace falling from a stunning waistline. Just…not so stunning on her.
“Oh, that’s a pretty one,” Betzy said.
“Yeah, but it looks like what I wore to the last one,” Camila replied.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” Kat admitted.
Viv creaked open her own door. “At least I’m not the only one.” She took one step out, and then another before glancing into the foyer where the other gals stood.
“Thatis a gorgeous dress,” Betzy declared.
Camila hurried over. “Yeah, but shedoesneed a different size.”
“Totally,” Kat agreed. “And Betzy,” she continued, "I don’t know what you mean about needing a different size. That looks perfect.”
“Except that it’s unzipped in back.” She spun around to show.
Viv smiled as the women broke into laughter. They were an impressive group. Viv never had siblings, but she’d dreamed of having a sister. What would it be like to have three?
Camila spun before the mirror with a hand at her back. “Think if I exhale I’m going to bust a seam in this thing.”
“Well, well, well,” came a new voice in the mix. “If it isn’t the Benton family.” From a far corner in the dressing area came a tall, curvy blonde in a bright red dress. “Betzy, do you remember me?”
Betzy gave the woman a smile. “Of course. It’s nice to see you, Sylvia.”
Viv recognized her too. And she had to disagree; it wasn’t nice to see her at all. Small knots of heat formed low in her gut at the mere sight of her.
“I heard you’re going to be announcing at the gala with Duke,” Betzy continued.
The woman rolled her eyes and waved a hand in the air. “Yes, but the man refuses to take me as his date. Maybe you guys can talk some sense into him.” She walked toward the group, leaning in as if ready to conspire, and spoke under her breath.
“He’s been aloof about the woman he’s taking. I’m about ready to find out who she is and pay my evil stepmother to lock her in a chamber so I can go with him instead.” The woman burst out in a villainous laugh.
“Ah, you’re funny,” Camila said.
Betzy locked wide eyes with Viv across the room, herwhat-in-the-worldexpression reminding her of one Duke might pull.
“Wait, you don’t know who he’s going with, do you?” the woman asked.
Kat, who stood the closest, shot Viv a questioning look.
