AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Willow
No Going Back
I wanted to marry Em.
I swayed in front of the triple mirror as the rosebud-pink dress settled perfectly at my waist. She’d created curves on me, for God’s sake. “You’re a magician.”
Em grinned up at me. She’d tied her to-die-for pink hair back before she got to work letting out the hem on the dress to play up my legs. I usually looked best in short or a little long. Anything else made me look like I was playing dress-up in my mother’s closet.
Ransom was in the fitting room, putting on his tux.
“It’s amazing what a good fit can do for a woman.”
I put my hands on my hips and stared at myself. “You aren’t kidding.”
“Now that I have your measurements, I can fix your jeans too, if you like.”
“I like.” I pressed the dress against my almost-a-B breasts. “Do you have boobs in that bag of tricks beside you?”
Her laughter was musical and husky at the same time. “No, but I can showcase the best parts. And really, that’s all a woman needs in this life.”
“I’m here for it. I actually have some more bespoke things that could use your touch.”
“We can set something up.”
“I’d be happy to talk up your shop if that’s something you’re interested in.” I’d learned that people were usually open to some mutually beneficial collaborations. “Everyone should feel as amazing as I do right now.”
She tipped her head questioningly.
“I’m an influencer of sorts. But I’m not looking for anything free. Just want people to know about your place. If you’re interested.”
I understood the online influencer culture led to some expectations of free stuff with the assumption that visibility was the main value. It had taken me a long time to realize that exposure didn’t necessarily pay the bills.
She was quiet enough that I could feel the babble building in my chest. “It’s okay if you don’t want to.”
“I’m just trying to figure out your angle. And it’s okay to just want to do something for yourself, you know.”
Honestly, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d doneanythingjust for myself.
Em finished pinning the hem. “I know what it’s like to be hyper-fixated on being financially independent, and I’m just letting you know that it can just be about you and your wants.”
“But people should know about you.” I looked at myself in the mirror. The way she’d made me feel so much better about myself with just a few fixes was a gift.
“Then maybe we can do something together. A project.”
Maybe Wil’s Way could be more than just cooking shortcuts. Ideas wheeled through my brain so fast I had to shut them down or I’d spin out. “Once I finish up with my sister’s wedding, I’d really like that.”
“It’s a plan.”
As the door opened, my breath backed up in my chest. Ransom stepped out wearing unrelieved black over a crisp white shirt. He’d left one button open at the neck, revealing his tanned skin and bitable neck. The jet-black lapel held a slight sheen and accentuated the breadth of his chest. “Holy wow,” I whispered.
Em turned on her heel. “Well, he was made for a Tom Ford tux, huh?”
“Mercy.”
She laughed. “Wait until I tailor it.”
I was a dead woman.
