I stared at the message for a moment. Apparently Bramwell updated people with alarming efficiency. The idea of the two of them discussing me behind my back was strangely endearing though, enough to make me smile faintly.
Me: No.
July: That was incredibly unconvincing.
Me: I do not belong at events like that.
The typing bubble appeared immediately.
July: April.
July: Listen to me. You are wonderful, you are safe, and you are not trapped there. If you want to leave, he will take one look at your face and leave with you immediately.
I rolled my eyes despite myself.
Me: I will look awkward.
A second later three images appeared beneath her reply. Black dresses. One sleek and minimal, one softer with flowing fabric, and one black tailored jumpsuit with sharp lines and an open back.
July: Counterargument.
July: You would look devastating in all of these.
July: Especially the jumpsuit.
I laughed quietly under my breath.
Me: I hate you.
July: I love you too.
I stared at the screen for a long moment.
Me: Okay.
In the morning, I finally texted Bramwell.
Me: I'm going.
His reply came less than a minute later.
Bramwell: Thank you for trusting me with this.
Chapter 25: Night Air and Forest Green
When he arrived that Friday evening, I almost did not open the door.
The jumpsuit had taken me longer than I wanted to admit to choose, because nothing ever seemed designed for a body like mine. In the end I settled on something that did not try to erase me. A deep green, the colour of dark forests, cut in clean, confident lines that fell straight from my shoulders without clinging or softening anything it should not. It fit, but it did not hide.
I looked at myself once more before I moved, hands still at my sides. I still thought I looked wrong. Bramwell, however, looked stunned. For a full second he just stared at me from the doorway like he had forgotten how conversations worked.
Then, very carefully, "Oh."
Heat climbed immediately into my face.
"You look..." He stopped, blinking once like he was reorganizing his thoughts. "You look majestic."
I looked down at the floor.
