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Ugh, I really don't want to have this conversation with the two of them right now.
My thoughts are interrupted as Shae walks out of the dressing room, looking like a fairy princess in a wedding gown that looks like it was made especially for her.
Look, I've got to go. I will explain everything later. But for now, Tate, I don't care what you have to do. Just stick to the plan. And Drew, I'll text you Lydia's address later.
Me
I stuff my phone in my pocket, standing to move beside Shae, ending the group conversation. "You look beautiful." I place my hands on her arms, needing to touch her.
"It's not too much with the flowers cascading down the skirt?" She bites her plump lower lip and all I want to do is lick away the sting her teeth are causing to it.
"No, it's perfect for you," I say, never taking my eyes off her lovely face. My head lowers to her mouth. We're inches away from our lips, touching when she pulls out of my arms. Her face changing from happiness at my praise one minute to sadness the next.
"But it's not my dress, it's my sister's." She stands stiffly next to me. "I think it's best that I finish the wedding preparations by myself. We can't have any mishaps before the wedding."
Is that what she thinks we are, I mishap? Maybe she's right. Maybe we are a mishap.
"Look, you seem like a really good guy. My sister is lucky to have you. I'm not sure what you think is happening between us, but I don't have any feelings for you other than those of a soon-to-be sister-in-law. I hope nothing in my actions gave you that impression."
I can tell she's lying by the way she's holding her breath. I bet if I looked at her hands behind her back, she would have her fingers crossed too.
If that's what she needs, a little space to sort out her feelings, I'll give it to her. But not for long, because I'm going to drag her to the alter kicking and screaming if I have to.
Shae
It's been two weekssince I last had contact with Nile. In fact, the only person besides Mrs. Garten I've talked to about the wedding was Nile's best man and brother, Tate. They're the complete opposite. Where Nile seems more uptight and focused, Tate is more relaxed and playful even.
I met Tate at Mrs. Garten's Bridal Shop a few days after the debacle with Niles over the wedding gown. As the Maid of Honor and the Best Man, Tate and I planned the bachelor and bachelorette parties. My part was pretty easy as the bride is forgoing the bachelorette party in favor of a little alone time before the wedding this weekend.
I laughed as I listened to Tate make crazy suggestion after crazy suggestion about what he wanted for the bachelor party. It wasn't until he got to the part about the stripper when he described what kind of woman Nile is attracted to that I almost called him a liar because he had basically described me.
I was desperate to find out if he was telling the truth and desperate to be around Nile one last time that I had Mrs. Garten cancel the stripper, explaining Tate had changed his mind again. Mrs. Garten didn't seem phased by this change of events. Unlike me, who is now standing outside the hotel suit wearing a long gray trench coat over my stripper costume. My usually unruly hair was tamed with smooth waves falling down my back. My face was covered in thick make-up to help disguise my appearance. A glitter face mask covers my eyes, helping to conceal my identity.
My clit throbs between my legs as I think about dancing in front of Nile and his guests. I take a deep breath. This is whatI wanted. Ever since Nile left me standing at the bridal shop contemplating my little speech, I had just given him, I knew every word was a lie.
I tried to forget about him and concentrate on the wedding. If it wasn't for my family needing the money to save the family company, I would have fought for Nile. Even if it was all a lie and he doesn't have feelings for me, I need to do this one last thing for me. Besides, he won't even know I'm the hired stripper. I'll get to dance in front of him; having his eyes trained solely on me will be enough to get me through my long, cold life when I have to see him at family gatherings with Lydia and their children.
My heart drops at the thought, but my father had explained part of the deal of the marriage contract was for Lydia to produce a houseful of children per the senior Mr. Hanson.
A vision of Nile holding a baby in his arms almost breaks me, knowing it will never be the baby we created. After tonight, I will never be able to move on. I will never get married or have a family, always pining after someone I can never have. I'll forever be known as the Never Bride.
I raise my hand and knock on the door. I consider turning around and running away, but the door opens before I have a chance, and I come face to face with a smiling Tate.
"Come in, come in." Tate grabs my hand and leads me into the hotel suite. It's smaller than I expected but just as intimidating. "Look who's here," Tate calls to the room of guys sitting around watching football.
I search the room until my eyes find Nile. He's not looking at me; instead, he's scowling at Tate, "I told you I didn't want a stripper. We were just going to watch football, drink beer, and eat pizza."
"I think you're really going to like my little surprise." Tate nudges my arm.
Taking the hint, I hesitantly walk to Nile. Not stopping until I'm standing directly in front of him. I reach for the belt on my trench coat and begin to untie it, but Nile places a hand over mine, stilling my movements.
"I said I'm not interested in having a…" His words trail off when his eyes meet mine hidden behind the mask. "Out! Everyone out!" He bellows, causing his guests to scramble. All except Tate and another guy who bears a striking resemblance to both Nile and Tate.
"So, you like my little surprise?" Tate taunts.
"I said everyone out, that includes the two of you." Nile snarls.
I expect the two of them to rush out of the room like the other guests, but they seem to take their time, almost as if they're enjoying making Nile angry.
