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A sexy butterfly…not so much.

“I’m coming out. Are you decent?” Henley calls out from the bathroom and I laugh to myself.

“Since when has that ever bothered you?” I quickly adjust my boobs so they don’t spill out of the top of my corset and turn to face her. “Let’s do the big reveal.”

Henley steps out of the huge room, complete with an adjoining dressing room, and my jaw drops.

“Atlas is going to die.”

“I didn’t do this for Atlas,” she blatantly lies.

I raise an eyebrow and stare at her—unmoving—waiting for her to laugh. As reluctant as she is to admit it, Henley’s had a thing for her brother’s ex-best friend for as long as I’ve known her. We had a similar conversation on the plane, and in the pool, and again at dinner. I think she’s hoping if she says it enough, she might actually believe it.

“Sorry, I forgot. You’re doing this to show him what he’s missing. In other words, you’re doing it for all the other men coming to the party.”

“And I’m doing it for me, Lil.” She laughs but her comment pulls me up short. It’s been a while since I did something for me. I’ve forgotten what it’s like.

“Good.” I smile wide and gesture for her to spin. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

“I agree.” She turns as asked and I take in her costume, whistling in admiration. The sexy nurse outfit is molded to her body, flaunting her assets to perfection. She’s an absolute knockout.

I’ve seen the costume before. She showed me pictures of her trying it on, even showing me how she was planning to style her hair, and how the costume would look on the floor—she loves to tease. But it’s safe to say, none of those pictures did it justice. I wasn’t joking. If any part of Atlas regrets turning Henley down all those years ago, this is going to kill him. And judging by the way he kept stealing glances our way at the pool party yesterday, I’m going to say there’s some level of regret there. Either that, or he’s truly seeing her for the first time.

“You look incredible, Henley. No man is going to resist you.”

“Likewise.” She waves a hand in front of me, her lips pulled into her mouth, and she makes a weird sound. Something like a groan.

“This ole thang?” I put on an accent to hide the vulnerabilities that I’m sure are on display almost as much as my ass is. “Just something I had lying around.”

“It’s perfect. Speaking of men going crazy…” She trails off with a bounce of her eyebrows, and I wave off the comment.

“I’m leaving nothing to the imagination here, Hen. If you look closely enough, I’m certain you can see my bits.”

Henley laughs out loud but checks anyway, just in case. “I promise, everything is hidden. Your bits are safe. For now. I’m hoping they’re not hiding away all night.”

“Henley!”

“What? You can’t have sex if your pussy’s covered.”

My heart races, and I know without a doubt that my cheeks are bright pink. Though as uncomfortable as that makes me feel, she’s not wrong.

“I’m joking, Lil.”

“No, you’re right. Tonight I’m not Lily, the single mom with no social life and a pussy”—I mouth the word pussy—“that hasn’t been touched in years. I’m a sexy butterfly with no past and no reservations."

Henley gasps at the fact that the word pussy came out of my mouth, and I poke my tongue out, as though it’s no big deal, when in reality it is. I wouldn’t say I’m a prude, because I’m fine with other people talking about sex however they want; I just don’t talk about it openly myself. I never have.

“You know I love Lily, the single mom with no social life. It’s the unused pussy part that needs changing, and I’m here for it. You are a sexy butterfly. The sexiest. Embrace it.”’

“I will. Thanks.” The warmth in my cheeks reappears at the compliment, and I smile through it. “Here’s to a great night.”

“The best.”

The techno beat brings back memories of my college years as I battle the crowd on the dance floor. Hips grind, asses shimmy, and way too many arms are flying around haphazardly for my liking. I want out.

It’s been a few hours already, and it’s safe to say, I’m a little out of my depth and a little tipsy. How do people keep this up all night? My feet hurt, I’m sweating, I…need another drink. That’s my problem. I’m once again letting my thoughts spiral, and it needs to stop.

“I’m going to the bar,” I yell to Henley over the music, and she immediately moves to follow me. “I’m okay.”