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Ocean laughed and shook her head. “I honestly have no idea.”
My friends were already dressed. Ocean wore a flowy dress in a color that reflected her name, covered with a dark cardigan. She looked pretty, but I recognized when she tried to cover herself up.
While my family was supportive, Ocean’s wasn’t. She’d never been good enough for them in any way. Interests, personality, body. Anything. So while she was fucking gorgeous, her curves and size made her uncomfortable. Rin and I tried to get her into things which would show her off, but there was only so much we could do.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine. I have a really beautiful hybrid I’m working on. It should bloom in a few days. I can’t wait to see how it turned out. But I’m more worried about you right now.”
Taking a deep breath, I met my own eyes in the mirror. “I’ll be all right.”
Twenty minutes ago, I might not have said the same. Cade’s insistence they were here to take care of me meant more than he could know. Now the thought of walking into the ballroom and seeing Beau with Angela on his arm felt slightly less horrifying.
Slightly.
“I knew I needed to be prepared.” Trinity swept in with a slinky, silky, pile of emerald green fabric draped over her arm.
She held it up, showing the simple but stunning dress. Asymmetrical hem that would show off more than a little leg, spaghetti straps, and a gently cowled neckline. It was gorgeous. It was also completely unlined, and there was no way I could wear the bras I had with me.
And like hell was I going braless around these five men. I was only so strong, and whatever my commitment to resistance, I didn’t need my nipples showing in front of Beau.
“I don’t have underwear for that dress, Rin.”
“Do you need it?”
“You really want me possibly sporting headlights at my sister’s party? In front of my ex?”
She sighed like I was ruining her fun. “I’d rather you sport headlights for the five servings offucking ediblein the living room right now. But fine. I’ll take care of that, too.”
“I’mnotborrowing your bra.”
Rin shook her head. “You won’t have to. I’ll get one delivered.”
Ocean covered her mouth to hide her laughter, but her eyes sparkled. She might be quieter, but my friend was fully on board.
“You can’t just have underwear delivered like a pizza.”
Trinity scoffed. “Fucking watch me.”
“Are you having a blood sugar high?” I asked. “A low?”
All that earned me was a glare.
In seconds, Trinity swiped on her phone, typed a few things, and showed me the order confirmation for a black strapless bra from one of the luxury boutiques in town. I rolled my eyes. “And I really don’t need a bra that costs that much.”
“We both know you can afford it, Iz. But this one is my treat.”
Swallowing, I looked away and started unpacking my makeup. I did just fine. My parents had a trust for me, but it wasn’t something I could access until I turned thirty-five. I was far from rich, and far from ordering lingerie that cost a full shift’s tips.
They made the same rule for my sister. My parents didn’t want us to rely on it, so they made sure to keep it out of reach past the point when we were supposed to be able to fend for ourselves. And I could. I was.
Bartending—especially when I showed more skin—paid my bills, but I was no longer rolling in cash. And no one really knew about it, either. Which was why my very expensive purchase sitting outside ready to escort me was a bad idea.
My family would help me if they knew. I hadn’t told them. A year ago I wouldn’t have said I was a prideful person, but being dumped and leaving my job only to find myself living in a building my mother would consider condemned and bartending six days a week to make ends meet changed that.
I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the change in my circumstances myself, let alone face the horror, pity, and charity of my family. That was another thing I wanted to do out here. Interviews. Surely I could get an interview somewhere that wasn’t Tate Marketing.
If Beau hadn’t poisoned the well with everyone who could possibly use a graphic designer.
