Page 73 of Hot Shot

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. “We’re, uh . . . hooking up.”

Hayden’s eyes narrow. “What?”

I try for a smile. “We slept together. I mean, we’re sleeping together. Not all the time. Just sometimes.”

“What?” This time the word comes out as a screech.

I glance around the small shop. “You heard me.”

“What does this mean?” Hayden lowers her voice and steps closer. “Carrie!”

“It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just sex. It happened after your engagement party. Well, it started before that. We met up one night at a club and danced and made out a little—”

“Holy fuck!”

“Shhhh!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have told you this now. My timing sucks. We need to look at dresses.”

“And now I’m totally distracted.” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe this. Oh my God.”

We stroll into the shop, greeted by a young woman in a black skirt and white shirt who works there.

“She’s getting married,” I tell the sales associate. “In four weeks.”

The woman’s eyes widen. “That’s not far away.”

“I know.” Hayden smiles. “But I’m not looking for something elaborate. Just a white dress.”

“We have a few of those.”

I grin. “She likes simple styles. We’ve looked at a few shops. She wants floor length, no train, not too revealing.”

“Well, let’s have a look. I’m Cynthia. And you are . . . ?” She looks at Hayden.

“I’m Hayden. This is my maid of honor, Carrie, and we’re looking for a dress for her, too.”

Cynthia starts across the pale gray carpet. “Color?”

“Blue.”

Cynthia turns and studies me. “Periwinkle? That would look amazing with your eyes.”

Hayden shrugs. “Sure.” Then she looks at me and whispers, “What’s periwinkle?”

I grin. “Sort of mauvish-blue.”

Hayden nods. “’Kay. Periwinkle’s a flower, right?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe we could put them in the bouquets?”

“I don’t know. We can ask the florist.”

“The guys will be wearing dress blues, that’s why I wanted blue. Also blue looks good on you.”

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