Nerissa’s grin turned slow and wicked.“Like it?Babe, you fuckingownit.”
I shifted my weight, smoothing a hand over the lace at my waist.The mirror reflected a version of me I didn’t see often—shoulders back, chin lifted, eyes brighter.Not exposed.Not reckless.Just… alluring confidence.For once, I wasn’t thinking about Chase, or contracts, or grades, or expectations.I was just standing there, existing in my body without apologizing for it.
“I am no better than a man,” she drawled from behind me.
I laughed, ducking my head.“Well, there you go—Nerissa entertained.My job is done.Besides, I’m not buying it, I just wanted to…” I gestured vaguely.“See.”
“Boo.”She frowned.
“It was good to see how it looked, though.”
“Well, if you're not buying it, then save it for later.”She pulled out her phone.“Future Savannah will thank us.Come on, strike a pose or something.”
Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the dressing room door and looked confidently at the camera.She snapped a picture while I adjusted the strap, then handed the phone to me to see.
“Okay, let's go.You can—”
“Oh no, it's your turn,” I said, ushering her to where I stood.She giggled and stepped back into the fitting room.When she emerged, she was wearing another set—wine-red, dramatic, unapologetic—and struck a pose like she was on a runway.I raised the phone, laughing.“You’re ridiculous.”
“And hot.Focus.”
I snapped the photo, then dropped onto the bench again.
“Text yours to your phone so you have it.Oh, this one is by far my favorite,” she announced, her gaze glued to the mirror as she twirled.“But the only thing is the wire right here.Not a fan of that.”
I glanced up at her as my thumbs moved automatically.“Uncomfortable?”
“Sort of.It's kind of digging into my side.But the color is so cute, and it's not like it'll stay on the entire time.”
“Which is why I don't bother with it in the first place,” I told her.
“Two months with me and that'll change, trust.Men love it and love ripping it off even more.”
“And who's ripping yours off?”My teasing continued as I selected the image and hit share, barely glancing at the screen.
“You better believe I'll find someone.”
We laughed, and I picked up my phone to save the picture… only it wasn't there.My brows furrowed, and I looked down at Nerissa’s phone in confusion.Was a delay because it was a picture?Seemed strange but—
The second my gaze locked on the name at the top of the chat, my stomach dropped.
The message thread wasn’t mine.
It was…oh no.
Time slowed, thick and syrupy, as my brain screamedno no no nowhile my fingers fumbled uselessly at the screen.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, tapping wildly at the screen.The picture was still in the loading phase.Maybe if I—
“What?”Nerissa poked her head out of the fitting room.
“I—” I swallowed, tapping furiously at the screen.Then my stomach fell hard as I focused on the one word that would mean my ultimate demise and embarrassment:Delivered.No.“I just… I just sent it to Jaxon.”
There was a beat of silence.
Then Nerissa’s eyes went wide.
And then she burst out laughing—so hard it brought tears to her eyes.“You’re kidding.”
