Page 16 of Dangerous Encore
I shake it off as Piper helps me onto thepodium.
Then I'm spinning. Well, more rotatingslowly.
The dress spins with me. The bodice sparkles as it catches the light. The skirttwirls.
It'sperfect.
Itreallyis.
I take Piper's hand to step off thepodium
"Ethan is going to die when he sees you. It's so you and it's beautiful. And of course, it's sexy. You really do nail goth sexpot, you know?" When I don't respond, she moves closer. Her eyes bore into mine. "Is there anything you want to talk about? You can tell me if you have doubts. You know I like you more than I like him." She smiles like she's joking, but her eyes aresincere.
I trust Piper to keep my secrets. But—"I don't. Not about Ethan. Buteverythingelse…"
"It's hard loving a guy who's away halftheyear."
"Itis."
"How much time do we have before we meet your mom formakeup?"
"A while. Our appointment is at six and she won't get there until seven oreight."
"I haveanidea."
"I'mlistening."
"Well, you can't go commando at your wedding. You just can't. So how about we go to one of those horribly overpriced lingerie shops in South Coast Plaza, and we find something special for your weddingnight."
"You do realize Ethan's going to rip off whateverIwear."
She sticks out her tongue in disgust. "I dorealizethat."
My smile spreads to my ears. "As long as you're okaywiththat?"
"I'll domybest."
Ilaugh.
Right now, it actually feels like this ispossible.
I want to hold onto that feeling as long asIcan.
