“Okay. So, dinner, dancing, or both?” She doesn’t miss a beat.
“Both.”
I jab Ollie again. “Would you stop answering for me, unless you’re going to wear the damn dress?” I glare up at him a challenge in my tone.
He backs away, hands raised in submission as he fights a grin. “I’m good.”
Dante and Milo take a self-preserving step back too, all of them suddenly finding the sunglasses rack against the front wall very interesting. Returning my attention to the salesclerk, I answer, “Dinner and dancing, I think. Like a wedding reception.” I whisper the last part, which just makes me look crazy. This girlhas no idea the reception is mine. That’s probably the last thing she’s thinking.
“Okay, and when is the event?”
“This weekend.” She stifles a gasp at my response. Her lips tighten in a thin line and she nods her head, gearing up for a challenge.
* * *
“I’m not coming out in this one,” I intone over the partial divider of the fitting room. Ijustknow this one was Ollie’s choice. It’s bloodred and skintight, and it flows down to the floor, but there’s a slit clean up my thigh, forgoing any modesty it might have had.
“Which one?” Dante calls from the other side of the door.
“The red one,” I spit, then mutter under my breath, “Fucking Ollie.”
“I picked the red one,” Dante answers dejectedly.
“You did?” I can’t keep the surprise from my voice. I can’t imagine him picking this dress. I turn to the others I have hanging in the room. I was sure he picked the short cream-colored dress. I’ve been avoiding that one. It comes a little too close to white.
“Why won’t you come out, is it too small?”
“No, not really. It is tight though… and I don’t know. It looks like thePrettyWomandress.” I don’t tell him I feel way too exposed, it’s off the shoulder and shows off a lot of skin.
“Please,” he mutters even closer to the door. “No one else is out here. It’s just me and the guys.”
“Shit, shit, shit,” I mouth the words. If it was Ollie asking I wouldn’t have any problem telling him no, but it’s Dante, and he asked so nicely. He’s not trying to make me uncomfortable like I know Ollie does.
“Okay, but you guys have to come by the door. I’m not going out there.” I grab the handle and wait a few seconds before calling,“Ready?”
Several affirmatives come at once. I run my hand down my side to smooth the silky fabric. “Are you sure this is even a dress? It feels more like a nightgown.”
“Just let us see, Muenster.”
I turn the handle slowly, hearing a click when the lock disengages. I give the door a gentle push and take a hurried step back, just in case there might be someone else nearby.
A few seconds passwithout anyone speaking. Ollie brings his hand up to his mouth, but I can still see the corners of his eyes crinkle when he tries to hide his smile.
Miloactuallyturns away from me. I watch as he scrubs his hand over his face and curses, “Holy hell. Not that dress.”
I look down at myself, it’s tight andprettyrevealing, but I didn’t think I looked bad, it’s just not my style. I frown, wondering what he’s thinking.
I look up to Dante, waiting for his reaction, and hesitant for a whole other reason now. Will he think it’s horrible too? He takes a step closer, his eyes still near the floor where the slit starts. Dragging his gaze up my body, he tilts his head. He bites his bottom lip, his canines puckering the plump flesh.
I tangle my fingers together over my stomach. I’ve put on a little weight since I’ve been with the guys, do I have a bulge? That thought has my sucking in my tummy and straightening my back. Which pushes out my chest, so I round my shoulders trying to hide my boobs now too.
Still focused on Dante, I don’t notice Ollie snap a picture with his phone until I see the flash of his camera. “Ares will thank me for this.”
I narrow my eyes on him, but he ignores me and lifts his hand, he makes a circle with his pointer finger, expecting me to do a turn. His phone is still in his other hand, so I ignore him.
“I’ll just try another one,” I offer, peeking at Dante from the corner of my eyes.
He’s moved closer while I was watching Ollie. His fingers graze the side of my bare thigh, finding my skin through the slit of the dress. He makes a low rumbling sound, which comes directly from his chest.
