Page 93 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Chapter 33

“So you’re really goingto go through with this? After all that’s happened?” April sat back in her seat, her features pinched together with disapproval.

“I have to.” Fe shrugged. “It’s for the best.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I said I would. Because this is the final step.” Or at least that’s what she kept telling herself.

April reached into her oversized bag and pulled out her wallet. “Let me get this straight. You were doing the wild thing with him less than a week ago, and now you’re going to push him into the arms of his boss. Are you serious?”

Fe’s eyebrows drew together, and she held one finger over her mouth. “Shhh…. My God, are you seriously incapable of keeping a secret?”

“Why are you torturing yourself, Fe?”

“Who said it was torture? And besides, I want to go.” Even as the words left her mouth, she knew April wouldn’t buy it. She hardly believed it herself.

“You’re seriously still moving on with this plan? Have I ever told you what Ed and I think of your plan?”

Fe took a deep breath, realizing not for the first time that April was judgmental. “Look, I really don’t care what you think of it. I’m going to the party, like I said. End of discussion”

“It’s because you’re curious about Mary, isn’t it?”

Fe rolled her eyes, but something grabbed hold of her heart and twisted. “I could care less.” But it was a total lie, because without Mary, none of this crazy thing would have ever happened. Without Mary, she wouldn’t have fallen in love with her best friend.

* * *

April’s wordshaunted Fe for the rest of the afternoon. When she walked around the mall eating her soft pretzel, and right now, when she slipped another dress from its hanger to try on.

Elliot had once told her that Mary was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Elegant and tall…effortlessly pretty—which happened to be the complete opposite of Fe.

Fe didn’t meet anyone’s standard of beautiful, yet Elliot had used that word to describe her multiple times. Though he’d been drunk, and she’d been naked, and…

She turned to face her reflection, to the mismatched bra and panties she’d chosen for that day. Purple bra, Wonder Woman underwear… She moved her hands down her hips, over her thighs that were plump and full, then to her stomach, which was soft and— But Elliot explored her body like it was perfection, like he saw it in a completely different light.

She’d like to say it was the first time she thought about that night, but it wasn’t even the hundredth. In truth, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. The way he touched her, the way he kissed her, the way he made love to her. Closing her eyes tight, she sat on the stool and buried her head in the fabric of the dress. She remembered waking up next to him that morning. How he’d pinned her to the mattress in his sleep, how warm and comfortable it felt walking up like that. But then her heart began thudding in her chest, and before she knew what she was doing, she was running toward her aunt Maria’s house.

She hadn’t meant to run into Craig, but that’s exactly what happened. And she hadn’t meant to confess everything, but she had—about their plan, about him being her fake boyfriend, and about them sleeping together.

“I don’t want to lose him,” she said to Craig. “He’s my best friend.”

To which Craig gave the best advise he’d ever given her. And that was that relationships didn’t last. That even marriages were doomed to fail, and if she wanted to keep him for a lifetime, the best thing to do would be to never let it happen again.

She knew it was true. He wanted Mary, who was woman she could never be. He deserved so much more… He deserved everything he ever wanted.

It was in the truck later, that she realized she had to find a way to end it. Then he started pressing her for answers and everything became so complicated.

She didn’t have a plan, or know what she was going to say, but all of a sudden, she was asking him about his father, and they were fighting. It was a cheap shot, but she took it anyway.

Dragging the dress over her head, she pulled herself to stand and zipped up the zipper. Elliot was too good for her, and he deserved more. Someone better.

With the dress now snug around her thighs, she smoothed her hands over the fabric, and took a breath. Maybe for the first time all day.

This was the one. She was sure of it.

The dress was red, form fitting, and concealed most of her flaws. It was good enough to meet Mary.

After finding the prefect shoes, she pushed open the door to their apartment, and found Colton standing in the middle of the living room. He was eating a bowl of cereal and tilted his head to the side, as though surprised to find her there. “Need help?” he asked.

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