Page 99 of David's Proposal

The farther away we get from the bathroom, the more relaxed I get.

She doesn’t notice it––I don’t think so––but I think I hear David’s steps moving away from us behind us.

Her eyes slip, and seemingly, something catches her attention.

“I thought your dress had a back zipper,” she comments.

“It does,” I say confidently and look down.

Her eyes are glued to my side, and I instantaneously learn why.

My zipper creeps up my flank instead.

Shit.

“Oh. That. I see what you mean… The fabric has a bit of stretch so I can wear it either way,” I say, embarrassed, but not enough to make a big deal out of it.

“I see,” she murmurs, apparently buying my explanation.

We reach the tent where my mother waits for me, holding my purse.

“Finally. Where were you?” she asks, giving me a swift once over.

I tell her before grabbing my jacket and purse.

“Thank you for finding her,” my mother says to Eve.

I put my jacket on and say goodbye to Eve.

“We need to talk to Thea before we leave,” I say to my mother.

“No, we don’t. I’ve talked to her already. We’ll see each other at the wedding.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Eve catches our last exchange before she leaves.

“Where were you?” Terry chides me in a quiet voice, looking down and pretending to pick up invisible lint from my dress.

“I wanted some more ice cream and used the bathroom in the house.”

“Why did you have to go there?”

I cock an eyebrow at her.

“What kind of question is that? I wanted some privacy.”

“Okay. All right.”

Her eyes suddenly focus on my skirt.

“And what is this?” she asks and swipes the hemline of my dress with her finger.

I look down, baffled, and notice a few white stains. I completely freeze.

My mother tries to figure out what it is.

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