Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 167204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 557(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 557(@300wpm)
“We should totally look at dresses while we’re at the bridal shop.”
We’re on our way there now. Not for our wedding, but for Silvan and Sophie’s.
Technically, Sophie’s bridesmaids ordered their dresses before I would have been invited to be one, but since Addison and I wear the same size, Killian told her to order a second dress and he’d pay for it so that if things worked out in time for Silvan’s wedding, I could join the other Blue Blood WAGs in the processional.
It’s time for all the bridesmaids to get our alterations before the big day, so Addison came over and we’re going to the shop together to try on our dresses. I haven’t gained weight yet since I can barely keep food down and I’m not far along, but I’m still a tad nervous about the dress not fitting.
Ryan is one of Silvan’s groomsmen, so he’s meeting us at the bridal shop. Killian and I are having lunch with him and Addison after, so we expected Ryan to be waiting for us, but we weren’t expecting Hex.
“What are you doing here?” Killian asks, gripping my hand a little tighter on instinct.
We don’t have issues with him anymore since we got engaged and Killian is no longer risking the wrath of Roger Whitley to be with me, but we haven’t spent enough time with Hex for that instinct to hold me a little tighter when he’s around to subside.
I don’t mind it, though.
I like when Killian holds me a little tighter.
“Apparently it’s alterations day,” Hex says wryly. “Couldn’t be missed.”
There’s a smiling blond girl beside him, but I’ve never seen her before. Addison goes over to say hi to her, and they disappear inside the dress shop together like old friends, so I reason maybe she’s a Zeta.
I follow more slowly, with Killian, Hex, and Ryan, and Hex falls into step beside me.
“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” I say, looking up at him.
“I’m not,” he says casually, hands in his pockets.
“Oh. But you ordered her a bridesmaid dress? Is she your designated girlfriend duties girl?”
“No. I don’t have one of those. I just made sure the girl I’m fucking now was the same size as the one I was fucking when we did the dress shopping. Problem solved.”
“Ew.”
He smirks faintly. “Don’t be jealous. We’ll always have the masquerade… and our other memories.”
I shoot him a look, my cheeks warming a bit. “I never did return your mantle.”
“You can keep it,” he tells me. “I’m sure I wouldn’t want it back at this point.”
My cheeks warm even more remembering Killian fucking me in the woods while I wore that mantle. “No, probably not.”
Addison and the blonde are already waiting at the counter when we walk in, so I go over to join them. The lady pulls up the file for Silvan and Sophie’s wedding to see what we’re picking up.
“Okay, so we have Sloane, Avery, and Addison here to try on their dresses, correct?”
“Wow. No,” Addison says, shaking her head. “One for three. I am Addison.”
“I’m Brynn,” I tell her.
“Not Avery?”
“Not Avery.”
“Who even is Avery?” Addison asks.
“Andrei’s girlfriend duties girl,” Ryan says. “His friend’s little sister. She’s a freshman.”
Hex frowns. “Isn’t he dating Esme?”
“Yeah, but he wasn’t sure he still would be. Didn’t want to make long-term plans like Silvan’s wedding with a girl who might not be around, so he just had them size Avery for it.”
“Yikes,” Addison says.
“Bet Esme will love that,” Killian remarks, smirking.
Ryan shrugs. “I don’t think he cares. You know his relationships have the lifespan of an avocado. This one’s already running a little long for him. Avery’s sweet. You guys will like her.”
“But he isn’t fucking Avery, to be clear?” Hex asks.
“He’s not, and no one else is going to, either, so don’t get any ideas.”
“Hey, you said she’s sweet. I like sweet.”
It takes his blonde a moment to realize he’s already shopping for her replacement and she’s not even wearing the dress of the girl she replaced yet. When she does, her smile dims.
I exchange looks with Addison, but she offers a “she knew what she was signing up for” kind of shrug.
Once we get our names sorted out, the lady goes back to get our dresses so we can try them on. The blonde wanders off sadly, perhaps hoping Hex will follow her to see what’s wrong, but he doesn’t.
“Poor girl,” I say to Addison. “She seemed so happy when we got here.”
Addison moves a short white dress back on the rack to look at one behind it. “She knew she was coming here to try on some other girl’s dress. Maybe she needed to adjust her expectations.”
“Maybe, but it’s easy to get carried away with Hex.”
“He’s just looking for a warm body to feed on. If she wants more than that, she’s looking in the wrong place.”