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“Can you believe her dress?” one asks, sounding horrified.

“Seriously. It had to be off the rack. Who does that? At the event of the year,” another chimes in.

“She should have requested the vegetarian plate. With hips like that, she should avoid beef.”

“Totally,” they agree.

My stomach drops. I know exactly who they are talking about. I also know she’s only about ten feet away occupying a stall.

“And red lips with red hair? No class. Who does that?”

Fresh meat, that’s all she is to them. New competition.

“Someone desperate enough to hold the attention of the most eligible bachelor in London, that’s who.” They go on and on, their words swirling in my mind with all the alcohol I’ve consumed tonight. Old insecurities are rubbed raw by the harsh judgment. Instead of a powder room full of jealous woman, the harsh words come out in my mum’s voice.

“Piers won’t stay with her. I know. I’ve been there, done that. Literally. He never comes back for seconds.” The lot of them, catty as ever. Thankfully, all the years I lived in Piers’ shadow, I was also under his wing and therefore protected.

“Best I’ve ever had,” another purrs, though I’m fairly certain he would have never went there.

“Ladies, ladies. Play nice,” I say, trying to get these daft cows to shut it as I head for the door.

“Oh, she’s just jealous because she hasn’t had him yet,” catty bitch number one throws her opinion in, and salt seeps into my wounds.

All eyes widen and land on me. My lip curls in annoyance. I can’t even escape Piers’ shadow in the ladies’ room. Hopefully they don’t mistake my show of teeth for a smile.

“Shut up,” I reply, my hand frozen on the brass pull. It’s true, I never had him, but he’s not the one I want anymore. Not like that.

“Whatever. I’m heading back out to see if I can snag a dance while she’s not hanging all over him. Pathetic.” Catty bitch number two makes her exit, brushing past me.

When Willow steps out, I lock eyes with her. I can see the shock on her face and the tears in her eyes. I’m no better than Tweedledee and Tweedledum. She thinks I was the ring leader, no doubt.

I decided to do what I came in here to do: freshen up.

“Don’t take it personal.” I look over my shoulder at her before turning my back to look in the mirror again. “They only hate you because they want him.” Which is the truth.

“You knew I was in here the whole time?” she whispers, more to herself than me.

“Your mask.” I hold up the mask from the counter where she left it laying. “You really should be more careful, leaving your stuff unattended. Someone might take it when you’re not looking.”

I need her to understand these woman will be all over him if she looks away for even a second. It’s clear he only has eyes for her, but it won’t stop them from trying.

“And you really should be careful because those are Swarovski crystals and that mask wasn’t easy to find at the last minute. I should know, I’m the one who had to rush out to get it.” The words tumble out before I can stop them as I turn back and continue touching up my makeup.

She narrows her eyes in the mirror. Angry at the truth. Angry with me.

“But they’re not wrong. You know that, right?” I can’t shut my mouth.

“After seeing you tonight, in this world with his people, he will know I’m the only right choice for him. I’ve waited years for him to need me as much as I need him. And he finally does. I’ll be the one by his side every day, working with him, under him, for him. And you’ll be back in the states, painting fairies and baking cookies where you belong.” I don’t know why I say it. Maybe I want her to hurt as badly as I do, or maybe I’m saying words I told myself for so long.

But hearing them out loud feels different than I thought saying them would. They sound ridiculous. They feel...wrong.

My mind pleads for my mouth to pull the breaks, but the toxic words roll full steam ahead.

Willow holds her ground, shooting icy daggers with tear filled eyes, but her mouth remains in a firm line. All she has for me is silence. Silence and an angry stare. I don’t even warrant a reply, that pushes my buttons far more than words could.

I want her to yell, to scream. To fight back, fight for him, for her…for them. Anything but silence.

I take things to a new low in order to push her off her high horse and down to my level.