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Because they are, and she loves it.
One day, maybe I’ll shine like that.
Except I’m terrified to be in the limelight.
Backstage is the place for me. My comfort zone.
“Hey, check that out.” Morgan points to a woman dancing nearby. She’s wearing a sheer embroidered maxi. One I would break several laws to look that gorgeous in.
Earlier tonight, Morgan talked me out of wearing my go-to comfort clothes, dressing me in a miniskirt and fishnet tights that make me feel like a kid playing dress-up.
But then, pretending is what I do best when I’m home.
Morgan scoffs. “It’s so funny when people try to dress younger than they are, as if we can’t tell.”
“I think she looks nice.”
“You think everyone looks nice.”
If anyone is posturing tonight, it’s me, dressed in someone else’s clothes, completely uncomfortable in my own skin.
I should feel sexy, but all I am is exposed.
Christ. If I can’t even handle fishnets, then how the hell am I going to market myself to the entire world?
“Do you want another round?” I ask.
Morgan nods. “Make it a double.”
I take my time getting to the bar, where I order a water along with the shots and stay to drink it.
All I want to do is slip into my pajamas and bury my nose in a book. Where the impossible is possible and everything works out in the end.
So… as far from real life as possible.
Come tomorrow, I need to work out where I’m going tolive. I can’t crash at Morgan’s long term, and right now, the only other option is my brother.
And as much as I love Aiden, if we live together, I’ll wring his neck within a week.
By the time I return to the dance floor, I’m more than ready to leave. Midnight be damned. This princess would rather be a pumpkin.
Rather than being disappointed, Morgan smiles in relief. It’s not hard to work out why. The guy dancing behind her has a pretty good hold of her hips.
“Are you good to call your brother?” she asks. “We can catch up tomorrow and go over all the juicy details.”
It’s not what I wanted for tonight. Ever since I sent that damn email, all I’ve wanted to do is talk to my best friend. A return to the Morgan and Bee of old. Long conversations in cozy outfits, with a reality show in the background to remind us that our problems aren’tthatbad.
But we don’t always get what we want.
“Sure, go have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She laughs. “That doesn’t leave much.”
With a kiss on the cheek and a promise to call, I make my way out into the cold night air and hope Aiden hasn’t suddenly started going to bed before midnight.
Unsurprisingly, Aiden doesn’t bother with pleasantries. “Back for less than twelve hours and already racking up the favors.”
“I hate to tell you, but this falls under the inclusions in the older brother contract. It’s not my fault you didn’t readthe fine print.” I slip into the passenger seat and pull the door shut a little too hard.
