I blink, my sisters’ serious faces coming into focus as I snap out of my thoughts, making me realize I completely spaced out.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“What do you think of this dress?” Emily asks again. “Good enough to bring Jasper to his knees?”
“It looks lovely, Em. But Amy is right; screw Jasper. It’s his loss if he doesn’t recognize a good thing before he loses it.”
Amy’s hand shoots in my direction, making me flinch back.
“What are you doing?” I protest, shoving her hand away.
“Just checking if you’re running a fever.”
“Why would I be?—”
“You never agree with me, so I’m assuming you’re delirious. There’s no other explanation.”
I glare at her, not amused in the least. “Seriously?”
“You know I’m right. No fever, huh?” Amy tilts her head, her lips pursing. “Your cheeks are flushed, though. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“They’re flushed because you’re annoying me. I’m fine. Will you stop this already?”
She finally pulls back. “Okay, okay. I needed to check. Right, Em?”
“I’m not getting in the middle of that,” she mutters, her attention going back to the full-length mirror. “I think I’m going to go for it. Give me two.”
Slipping back into the changing room, she pulls the curtain behind herself. But my gaze stays locked on her, the worry gnawing at me. Emily has a kind heart and gets hurt easily.
“She’s fine.” Amy nudges me with her hip. “Better question is, what’s up with you?”
“Me?” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, I shift my attention to the nearest rack of clothes and start sifting through it. “What are you talking about?”
“Yes,you. You’ve been distracted the whole day. And you haven’t been home in a while.”
I pull out a hanger, eyeing the little black dress before slipping it back in place. It’s not like I have anywhere to wear it. “I’ve just been busy, that’s all.”
Before Amy can say anything, Emily comes out of the changing room, the dress in hand, and we head to the register. I wait for them to pay for their dresses before we make our way out to the street.
“You’re always busy, but that never stopped you before.” Amy’s brown eyes zero in on me, her gaze narrowing as if something just occurred to her. “Is it Damien?”
I open my mouth, but Amy just continues, clearly on a roll.
“You know, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was bitching at you and telling you that you shouldn’t come home. I seriously don’t know what you see in that guy. Not only is he an asshole, but he’s also mean and controlling.”
“It’s not—” I try to stop her, but it’s useless.
To say my family doesn’t like Damien would be an understatement. And while my parents at least try to pretend, my sisters—Amy specifically—have no qualms telling me just how much they don’t like him.
“He’s such a douche, and you deserve way better. Like, seriously, you’re supposed to be the oldest and smartest, and you don’t see that he doesn’t deserve yo?—”
“Amy!” I turn around and stop in her way. “It’s not Damien.”
Her lips part, brows furrowing. “No?”
“No.” I let out a sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as I think over my next words carefully, although I guess now is as good a time as any. I’m honestly surprised the gossip hasn’t reached them by now. “We broke up.”
My sisters blink a few times, their faces reflecting matching shocked expressions—eyes wide, lips parted, all color drained from their cheeks.
