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“Oh, I’m fine.” Ivy said, making herself at home. She eyed me meaningfully. “Get to gettin’, now.”
I schlepped the heavy bag into my room and wrestled off my comfy clothes. Down to my underwear, I pulled the zipper and gawked at the masterpiece inside. The intricate copper sequins flaunted the light the same way the sky burns at sunset. The sheer density of them accounted for the weight. Outside the room, Maribel’s muffled voice reverberated, then came Ivy’s muted answer, but I barely heard them. My hand hovered over the dress before running down the length.
I loved this dress. It fit to perfection when I slid it on, its halter design flattering my very average breasts and the arms I’d toned thanks to my complimentary membership at Maribel’s fitness studio. Not to mention, the cut of the waist hid the five pounds I’d gained from her fabulous cooking.
When I stepped back into the living room, Maribel woo-girled me. “You. Are. Savage.” She jumped from her place beside Ravi to get a closer look.
“I know.” I smoothed my hands down my stomach. “I feel like a princess.”
Maribel laughed, still staring in awe. “Do you mean a goddess?”
Ivy took her time about standing and perusing the goods. She must have decided I looked fine because a self-satisfied, catlike smile played on her lips. “I think my job here is done. I’ll see you tomorrow, darlin’.”
“Hey, Ivy?” I said as she made her way toward the front door.
She threw a raised eyebrow over her shoulder.
“Thank you.”
“Ain’t nothin’ to thank me for. It’s what friends are for.”
Forty-Four
Even though the party took place at his house, Cam still picked me up in the Star Trek car. When I opened the front door of Ravi’s house, I expected a quick peck on the cheek and an escort to the car. Instead, Cam froze on the doorstep, giving me the blank stare I recognized from the beginning of our reacquaintance, back when the emotion would flake away behind his blue eyes and leave me wondering if he hated me.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “She got you this dress to torture me.”
I glanced down at myself. Was something wrong? “What does that mean?”
“It’s your cotillion gown.”
What? How ridiculous! “No. This is leagues better than my cotillion gown.”
He shook his head and gripped my elbow to draw me closer. “The name on the tag might be more extravagant, but the woman in it is as beautiful as ever.”
Oh, my…
The flutters in my chest expanded to encompass my stomach and throat.
“If I kiss you, will it ruin your makeup?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, then immediately hated myself. I wanted him to kiss me, didn’t I? “I mean… No—”
His lips descended on mine, and his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me close. I’d barely let myself relax into him when he pulled back.
“I’ve dreamed of that night for years. You, in this dress. A chance to fix it.”
My fingers stroked his clean-shaven cheek. “Then why is it torture if you always wanted a second chance?”
A crease formed between his brows. “Are you going to give me a second chance, Shay? You’re so tight-lipped about what you want. I can’t tell if you’re nervous or just letting me down easy.”
He wasn’t wrong. Even though he’d made his intentions transparent, I still hadn’t found the courage to admit that he fit me better than the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Presuming the inevitable end still had a lock on my tongue, although it rusted more with each kiss and deep look into my eyes.
I wanted to tell him.
I want you.
I love you.
