Page 25 of The Hardest Part

Share the work, share the wealth.

“Trust me, it’s yours.” Winking at Arien, Emily gave the clerk the correct card. “And I know them boys are going to love what you got because it came from you.”

“I hope you’re right.” Chewing on a fingernail, she looked at her with those doll-like eyes. Emily could see the uncertainty Arien was battling within the hazel-green irises.

“You’re sweet on them, aren’t you?”

“Sweet on them?” Arien scrunched up her face.

“You care for them.”

“They’re my brothers, boo,” she said, pulling back slightly.

Stepbrothers.

“Course, I do.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Emily linked arms with her cousin. “Never mind. C’mon, there’s an antique store I wanna get to.”

After Emily found the perfect special something for her mom, and Jake, too, she opened the door of the shop, leaving the smell of a musty, old attic behind to be greeted by the glorious scents of cinnamon, balsam, and pine.

“Oh, look.” Arien raised her package-laden arm and pointed. “They do those vintage photos here.”

“Yeah, you dress up in Old West costumes and they take your picture. Wanna do it?”

She should want to. Photography was her thing, right? But then maybe Arien was more comfortable behind the camera rather than in front of it.

“Uh, I dunno.”

“It’s touristy, but it might be fun,” Emily said, her lips turning up.

“What the hell.” After a soft toss of her blonde waves, Arien went for the door. “Let’s do it.”

They were taken to a wardrobe room with row upon row of authentic-looking costumes. Saloon girl garb. Petticoats. Feathers. Satin. Lace. Emily pulled an ensemble from the rack and thrust it into Arien’s hands. “You should wear this.”

A corset with matching chaps of the softest white lace and a poncho of camel-colored wool to drape across her shoulders. Then she snagged a pair of suede fringe chaps for herself and hats for both of them.

“I don’t think they dressed likethisin the Old West.” A stunning Arien gazed at their reflection in the mirror.

Okay, so the outfits she chose for them, an alluring mix of Western wear and scant lingerie, were likely intended for aboudoir shoot. They looked hella good, though, and wasn’t that the point?

“Maybe not, but we’re gonna.” She adjusted her breasts in the sheer lace cups, plumping them, and grinned. “Gotta give them boys a little somethin’ to look forward to.”

“Jesus, Em.” Arien tsked, and blushing, she turned away from their reflection.

Emily turned her back around. “What?”

“I don’t need to give Kellan and Tanner anything.”

Oh, but you want to.

“You give’m a good eyeful at home, I bet.” Smirking, Emily slathered on some lip gloss. “I mean, your room’s right there across the hall from ‘em. You’re so lucky.”

“If seeing them walk around half-naked most of the time makes me lucky, then I guess so.”

“I love you like a sister, Arien.” And softly, she kissed her mouth, leaving a smudge of ruby stain upon her lips.

“Why’d you do that?”

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