Page 384 of Reign

I blink.

“Is it not?”

She offers no answer.

“Okay.” I shift slightly on the stool. “Do you think I should use something different?”

“I don’t know. Do you?”

“No?”

The answer comes out like a question.

Evelyn studies me for another moment.

“Are you wearing yourself?”

I look down at my dress.

“Yes. This is one of my designs.” I point toward my feet. “The shoes are yours.”

She glances down.

“Oh, yes. Two years ago.”

Heat crawls into my face. “They were my favorite from your spring collection.”

“Stand.”

I stare at her. “Now?”

“That is generally what stand means.”

Right.

I slide off the stool.

Evelyn rises and walks around me.

Slowly.

Her fingers touch the hem first, lifting it enough to inspect the underside. Then the pleating at my waist. The seam beneath my arm. The structured neckline.

I remain perfectly still.

She steps back and sits down again.

I don’t know whether I’m supposed to join her, so I stay where I am.

Evelyn looks up at me.

“Strong construction. Clean stitching. Beautiful color. The neckline is smart.” She gives one decisive nod. “I like it.”

Evelyn St. Clair likes my dress.

Holy fucking shit.

“Thank you.”