“So?”Lexie prods.
“I don’t know.It looks kind of revealing.”
“That’s the point!”Lexie replies.“It’s supposed to be revealing.”
I frown.“Pretty sure Cobie said the auction is black tie?—”
“Black tie means sexy, and this”—she snatches the dress off the hanger and tosses it back to me—“is sexy as hell.Fireman Bryan will absolutely die once he sees you in it.”
Fireman Bryan will like anything I wear, or so he tells me.I kind of believe it, though.After the bonfire last weekend, he drove me home, kissed me, and has texted me multiple times a day ever since.I still can’t believe he didn’t ask if anything happened while he was visiting the restroom and I was talking with Ford that night.I wonder what we must’ve looked like.Talking and flirting and sharing a roasted marshmallow.Then again, it’s Ford.He acts that way with everyone.Looks at them like they hung the moon.Honestly, it makes the entire interaction feel…hollow.Maybe that’s why Bryan didn’t feel threatened.Because he’s heard the rumors, or maybe even seen it firsthand.The way Ford is with women.It wouldn’t surprise me.Bryan’s a Harden Heights local.He’s lived here his whole life.
Now, if I could wrap my head around the same thing, that would be lovely.
“We’re running out of time,” Lexie adds.The reminder drags me back to the present.“Try it on so you can agree with me, and we can get out of here.”
I give Violet a pointed look as if to say,Are you going to come to my defense or what?
She lifts a shoulder.“We both know Lex won’t stop until you give in.Might as well.”
She’s not wrong.
“Fiiiine.”I head into the changing room and slip on the slinky dress.It’s snug and low cut and makes me feel naked compared to the scrubs lying on the floor.Thankfully, my boss let me leave thirty minutes early so I could swing by the thrift shop with the girls and hopefully find something to wear this evening.Normally, I’m not much of a procrastinator, but when it comes to tonight’s event?Yeah, I’ve been failing.Hard.That’s the issue, isn’t it?Not only did I not give myself enough time to find something, but Lexie also insists on doing my hair and makeup, and at this point, the dress in question is all we’ve found that even comes remotely close to being an option for the auction.
And this is why procrastination is a no-no.I should know better.
With a deep breath, I square my shoulders and smooth down the dress before looking at my reflection.My eyes nearly pop out of my head.“Uh…”
“Oooo, let me see!”
Lexie tugs open the curtain without asking permission, and I cover my half-naked body.“Lex!”
“I work at a strip club, remember?It’s not like I haven’t seen boobs before.”
“Not my boobs!”I squeal.
“One day.”She winks.Excitement spreads over her pretty features as she takes me in.“Okay, yes.Yes, this is a definite win.”
I peek in the mirror one more time.The plunging V at the front doesn’t quite reach my sternum, but it’s close.Add in the push-up bra Lexie twisted my arm into purchasing, and I have no doubt the ladies will be looking extra perky—and in your face—than what I’m used to.Sucking in my stomach, I mutter, “I don’t know.”It is pretty.The dark color makes my skin look decent, and instead of the tight fabric making me look like a sausage, I almost look like I have an hourglass shape going on.I mean, if I squint really hard and turn the lights down low.If only I didn’t feel like I might fall out of this thing.I turn to the side, examining the fold of fabric and deep V showcasing my cleavage from a different angle.“It’s a little revealing, don’t you think?”I ask.
“You said that already,” Lexie points out.“And yes, it is.And yes, you look gorgeous.And yes, you’re going to get so many bids, Cobie will send you flowers as a thank you for the massive contribution.”
My lips purse as I glance at Violet.If anyone has any idea of what’s in store tonight, it’s her.She’s the one with inside connections.
Arms crossed, she hangs out near the edge of the dressing room, letting her best friend take the lead as she inspects me.“I like it,” she decides.“Yes, it’s a little risque compared to the blue scrubs you’re used to wearing, but it’s not as bad as you think it is, I promise.”
With a frown, I turn toward the mirror again and suck in my stomach.“You sure?”
“Positive,” Violet says.“But you’re the one who has to wear it, so how does it make you feel?Confident?Sexy?”
“I don’t know,” I murmur.And it’s the truth.Idon’tknow.How I feel.How I want to feel.How much of said feelings are connected to the fabric wrapped around me versus a life built on insecurities.To be clear, I made peace with my body type a long time ago, but do I really need to be on stage in front of who knows how many people tonight?My nerves kick up a notch.Maybe I can say I’m sick, or?—
“I say you buy it,” Violet decides.“The color looks great on you, and from what you said earlier, you literally don’t have any other options,andthe auction’s tonight.”
The woman makes a good point, er, multiple points.
Scrunching my lips on one side, I scan my reflection one more time.
“What if we keep your hair down?”Lexie suggests.“Maybe straighten it so it covers more, and you show less skin?Just a little peekaboo?”She grins.“Or I can always ask a few of my work besties for one of their tops, since we’re running out of time?”
