Page 165 of Seeds of Malice

I bite my lip, shifting on my feet.

She adds, "My father's a senator. You know that, right?"

I nod. "Of course."

"He claims the most important thing is that I get into this sorority because it'll change my life. So if he's saying that, this is important for us in our future, okay?"

I say nothing.

She adds, "Besides, it doesn't mean anything. We're just going to go act."

I finally agree. "Okay. You're right."

"Great. All right, go out first. I'll follow soon," she instructs.

I take a deep breath, willing my legs to stay steady, listening to my heels click against the wood. I peer past the curtain, looking for Dax, but all I can see are the top of heads, no faces. The lights are too bright.

It's now or never.

Don't do it.

I force myself to walk across the stage. It's so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Pretend she's Dax.

Do what Avery would do.

I fix my expression to one that I feel she would use, then try to appear sexy and confident, strutting across the stage until I reach a standing-height table without chairs. My pulse skyrockets when I see the bed and couch several feet away. I grip the edge of the table, and my knees wobble.

Lilly steps out from behind the curtain in the same outfit I'm in, and I can't help but wonder,How does everyone see her compared to me?

Her breasts are flawless, at least two sizes bigger than mine. Her body's a lot like Avery's. There's no fat on it anywhere. Her long red hair swings in perfection as she walks.

Lilly's green gaze narrows as she struts across the stage and stops as close to me as possible. She picks up a martini glass and hands it to me. "Thanks for making my favorite drink, Ivy."

My insides quiver. I take it from her, grateful for a distraction.

She picks up the other one and clinks it against mine. "To tonight."

"Tonight?" I question, my voice cracking, unsure what to say. I drink more than normal until half the martini is gone.

"Yeah. Tonight." Lilly kisses my shoulder, then takes a sip.

A shiver runs down my spine. I giggle, then nervously stutter, "Wh-what are y-you doing?"

She sets her glass down, swallows hard, and grazes her fingers over my hand. She declares, "I have to admit something to you, Ivy."

My chest tightens, and my voice shakes. "What's that?"

She drags her palm up my arm, over my neck, and onto my cheek. Nerves fill her expression. She blinks hard a few times and states, "You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever met."

My mouth turns dry. I swallow hard.

She steps closer, and her scent smells just like Avery's. It's intoxicating, like always, and my core lights up. My breath begins to turn shallow. My heart races faster.

Lilly steps closer, and her tits graze mine.

I inhale sharply. My insides tremble.

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