I discard another option that seems to be some kind of lingerie animal ear combo. ‘What did you pick, Lina?’
‘I’ve got an idea.’ It’s her turn to sigh. ‘I’m not sure what Zack would like…’
‘What doyoufeel sexy in, though?’ calls Dolly. For a blissful few moments, I’d forgotten she was here. Well, not truly because she’s so irritating that I always know when she’s nearby. But she’s been tucked in the corner doing her makeup, outfit chosen already. As she’s the only one who wears plus-size, she had her own rack to choose from.
‘Nothing,’ says Lina a little too honestly. ‘But I don’t think that would be allowed.’
‘We air after the watershed,’ says Dolly. ‘Go for the closest thing to that?’
Lina’s face brightens, and she takes something from the rack that looks like a pair of tights and disappears.
I wonder what Dolly is going to wear. Has she gone for the ‘little more than underwear’ route? I flinch as I remember her on her back, and shove through the rack some more.
‘Lads, I feel a bit creeped out,’ groans Whit, still in a robe. ‘Like, I know the rule is if we get everyone hot then Malachi and I win, but I feel kind of weird about that.’
‘Same,’ I sigh, discarding anotherI’m a mouse, duh-type outfit.
‘It’s just a bit of fun, babes.’ Bridget slides the hangers along the rack in a sudden violent motion, revealing a very short, laced-up dress. ‘That one.’
I don’t have any time to say no. It’ssonot me. But it’s better than the rest.
Costume secured, I take off the remains of today’s melted makeup and work out what will go with this dress. A smoky eye, I think. I can probably do that.
The problem is the whole time Dolly won’t shut up. I know she’s just trying to give Whit a pep talk, but could she just be quieter about it?
I said I’d be good, for Patrick. I don’t need to rise to her. Easier said than done when I’m filled with a hot, pricking irritation whenever she’s around.
‘Just keep your eyes on the prize,’ Dolly tells Whit. ‘Sorry to all you girls, but I think I’ve got the best teammate of the lot of you.’
This is when I lose it.Dollydoesn’t even fancy her own fiancé, or any men! How would she even know what gets their pulses racing?
‘That’s a bit fucking rude, Dolly,’ I snap.
Everyone goes silent for a long moment, broken only by Bridget going ‘Oops’ before giggling awkwardly.
‘Carys, I obviously didn’t mean it in a bad way.’ I can tell she’s trying to keep her voice steady to hide how much I’ve pissed her off. I wish I didn’t like knowing that so much. ‘I’m not calling your men uggos. I’m just trying to get everyone in the friendly competition mood, right?’
‘Sorry, I just think it’s a bit weird to imply we might all fancy your fiancé.’
‘It’s not that deep, Carys,’ says Whit, patting me on the shoulder as she passes. ‘Bridget basically just said the same thing.’
I feel the urge to defend Bridget but she just shrugs. ‘Yeah, I did.’
‘Dolly seems to think it’s deep,’ I insist. ‘Doesn’t that bother you guys?’
Whit says ‘Nope’ loudly but Bridget and Lina remain silent.
‘See, they agree with me,’ I say, overreaching, but I don’t care. ‘She’s so blatantly here for the wrong reasons. We can all see it.’
‘What even is the right reason?’ Dolly murmurs, keeping her eyes off me.
‘I just think we need to be careful of snakes in the grass,’ I mutter.
I see her reflection change, ever so slightly, and her eyes dart to me.
Come on, Dolly, fight back.She can’t always play the good guy, like earlier when she handed us the wedding venue like it was blessed bread, even though we’d spent the whole day worrying in case she took away my dream. Our dream. She can’t just wipe away all that wasted energy with a gift.
I think for a moment that she’s going to leave. Right up until her face turns into an exaggerated pout, like a sad cartoon duckling. ‘Oh no. Is it easier to come at me when you’re worried men don’t want to fuck you?’ she hisses.
