AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elodie
“That one.”
Amanda wastes no time delivering a clothing verdict. She’s pointing authoritatively to an emerald-green dress hanging in my temporary closet at Zane’s house.
The dress hits at the knees in a swingy skirt, and has sheer three-quarter length black sleeves with embroidered black hearts on them. It’s sexy and sweet and has great access, but I keep all that to myself, instead saying, “The OOTD…is dating my husband.”
“You’re such a weirdo. And…yes,” Amanda says, decisive.
Eliza faux coughs. “I don’t even get to look?”
The indignance of an eleven-year-old budding fashionista.
Amanda shrugs in acquiescence, but she’s a dictator when it comes to clothes. “I mean, you can pick the shoes, Liza.”
Liza, not Eliza. She already has a nickname for her.
I try to hide my smile but likely fail.
“Cool,” Eliza says, taking the opportunity and seizing it, even though I didn’t bring too many options to Zane’s house. Just some Converse, a pair of flats, and a cute pair of strappy two-inch black heels, but Eliza selects those with obvious care, showing them to Amanda. The older girl gives an approving nod…sort of like an older sister would do.
I blink off that wild thought. It’s too much. Too good. I don’t want to linger on it too long in case it fractures.
Once I’m dressed, Amanda spins me around and studies my face. “A bit more eye shadow.” She turns to Eliza, this time inviting her in. “What do you think?”
Taking her role seriously, Eliza tilts her head. “Maybe a touch more mascara.”
“And how about that silver necklace with the star for Starling?” Amanda suggests.
Eliza spins around on her pink fuzzy socks. “I’ll get it,” she says, then rushes over to the bureau and skids to a stop. “Ooh,” she says, picking up something shiny, then turning back to me. “Can you wear this too?”
She returns with the cocktail ring.
I smile, the kind that stretches through my whole body, down to my toes. “Yes.”
I don’t even know what Gage and I are doing tonight, but it’ll be fun to wear the ring that got us into this fake fiancé-ship-turned-marriage-of-convenience in the first place.
“It’s a good luck charm,” I say as I slide it on my right ring finger. Maybe it’ll be a talisman for me. Perhaps it’ll give me the courage to tell that man how I feel.
My stomach dips as I think of the things I want to say.
I focus on the task at hand—finishing getting ready. I add some shadow, slick on some more mascara, then touch up my lipstick. I turn around and hold out my arms, waiting for my stylists to sign off.
“You look good,” Amanda says.
“So pretty,” Eliza says, then pats my shoulder. “Now don’t worry about us. We’re going to heat up my grandma’s mac and cheese. She makes the best mac and cheese.”
“And then we’re going to watch a movie,” Amanda adds as they shoo me out of the room and down the stairs. “Margo’s going to come over at nine,” she says, reviewing the plan. They’ll have a couple hours to themselves because they’re old enough but then, in case we stay out late, Margo will be here.
When we reach the door, Amanda clears her throat and adopts an older voice as she wags a finger at me. “And you don’t have a curfew tonight.”
“Thank you so much,” I say. I grab my swingy polka-dot purse and a faux fur bolero jacket, but before I go, I turn around and say to both of them, “But don’t stay up too late. Amanda has school tomorrow.”
My little sister groans. “One more day before break.”
Eliza squares her shoulders. “And I’m already on break,” she says, gloating.
“You’re so lucky,” Amanda says.
