Page 93 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“Izara! Oh my god, there was thisgorgeousbaby blue dress in the back that I think would look amazing on you,” Isla continues as she directs people on where to go. I keep looking, not finding anything.

It’s been a long time since I’ve dressed up, especially in anything particularly fancy. The familiar feeling of melancholy settles over me.

It’s not that I miss my old life. It’s not that I miss Tony. It’s that I miss what could have been. What it was supposed to be. And I’ve realized through the years of therapy that it’s okay to feel this way.

“Briar!” Isla calls from across the store. I look up, finding her holding a beautiful white and blue gown over her head. “You need to try this on!”

And with a deep breath, I do just that. Ignoring all the other dresses, I decide to trust Isla with this one.

“My brother is going to lose his shit when he sees you in this,” she mutters as she hands it to me.

My brows furrow. “Why would he do that?”

Her eyes widen as a smirk stretches across her lips. “Just a feeling.”

And as much as I want to tell her that I don’t want him to feel that way looking at me, I’d be a liar.

A huge liar.

Because deep down I want to be looked at like that even once. Like I was something to be treasured. Like I was the only woman in the world.

And as much as I wish I was desperate enough to say I want to feel that from anyone, and that I’ll settle for a stranger off the street, I know that’s not true, either.

But I’m not about to think about that too hard, much less admit it to his sister.

Taking the dress into the back, I find a fitting room next to Zara. Mila is still out looking for a dress, and Heidi is busy in front of the wide mirror, twirling in her beautiful green A-line dress covered in flowers. It ties in a large bow in the back, and although some people may consider it a bit much, I can tell by the look in Heidi’s eye that she’s in love with it.

Getting settled in, I strip off my clothes, pushing down the desire for Leo to be outside like the last time I was trying on clothes.

Stepping into the dress, I pull it up, slipping the thick straps over my shoulders. The back would need to be pulled in just a little, but otherwise it looks perfect.

The bustier top covers everything, leaving only a tasteful amount of cleavage while the skirt bellows out. The white fabric is sturdy and thick, and the blue flowers detailing it are absolutely stunning. The straps tie at the top of my shoulders, and when I spin, the dress fans out around me.

It’s perfect.

Stepping out, I find Isla with a black dress in her arms, waiting for a fitting room. Her green eyes instantly light upthe second she spots me, and a wide smile envelopes her face as she starts nodding. “That’s the one, Briar.”

I get home around seven o’clock at night, after dinner and drinks with the girls. I’m tired and a little cranky, which is only heightened by the fact that Leo is definitely not home. I’m past the point of self-reflection, and I refuse to think about why that irks me so much.

“Elara?” I call as I shut the door, setting my bags down and rolling my shoulders.

There’s some noise from down the hall and the sound of a puppy’s toenails clacking against the floor, and before I know it there’s a furry little beast jumping at me.

“Down, Champ,” I tell her, placing my palm out. Although I adore her excitement, I don’t need her making it a habit and doing it to someone who hates it. It reminds me to enroll her in puppy training next week.

Elara comes around the corner too, a large, very suspicious grin on her face. I stop, looking at her. “What’s going on?”

“Why would anything be going on?” she asks, her hands behind her back as she sways.

“When did Leo leave?”

“Like ten minutes ago.”

Leo had let the babysitter go when he got home, thinking we’d see each other. When he had to go, he asked if Elara could stay by herself for a few minutes, and I told him that was fine.

She’s been by herself before for short amounts of time, and she’s a smart kid. I told him to tell her to stay in her room with Champ until I was home.

“Okay,” I tell her, looking around. “What’s behind your back, Elara?”

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