Page 172 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Oh, I got my package from Matty, so I brought the dress for the dinner,” I added.
Mercy’s eyes fell on the rumpled white paper sack. “Who are you going with, Clark?”
“Yep, we’re bringing Tenzin, too.” The idea of dressing up and dancing with Tenzin made excitement shoot through me.
“Fun. I’m going with Verity and the guys, since dressing up and eating free fancy food sounds fun,” she told me.
“My brother mailed pictures of me and of my mom.” I took the envelope out of my bag and handed it to her. “Since you wanted to see me in a skating costume. Anyhow, my mom always had such pretty dresses. I’m surprised one of my sisters didn’t take it. They took a lot of them after she died.”
Like to the point I’d hidden two of them in the attic, so they wouldn’t take them. Both dresses would be too short for me now, which was why I’d asked for this one. It made a dress-puddle on her while she wore heels, so it should work okay for me.
“Awww, you’re so fucking cute.” Mercy showed Kaiko the picture of me at the skating competition.
“This one’s pink, bare shoulders, ties in the back with a bow, and pools onto the ground. She looked like a princess in it. I’m going to need some alterations. Her post-eight kids rack is bigger than mine.” I opened the sack.
The dress had been stuffed in the bag and not even folded. A little mustiness wafted off it. I tore open the bag and pale pink fabric with pink flowers flowed out. Huh? I removed the dress, careful of all the food and drinks.
“It’s so wrinkled. Did he just stuff it in a sack?” Mercy laughed. “I have brothers that would totally do that.”
I shook it out, not that it did anything for the creases. The dress was beautiful, off the shoulder with a V-neck. Delicate pink and green flowers decorated a shimmery overlay on top of pale pink fabric. The skirt was full and had a bit of a train with a corset back.
It was beautiful. Too beautiful for the likes of me.
And very much not the dress I thought he was sending.
“Ooh, look at that,” Kaiko cooed. “That lace-up back.”
“You’re going to need one of those poofy slips,” Mercy told me. “If Verity’s are too long, maybe Valya has one? No, that might be too short.”
I held the dress up. “This isn’t the dress I asked for. It’s so beautiful.”
Kaiko took the dress from me and laid it out over one of the beanbags. “It’s not the dress? It does tick off all the boxes.”
“True. I think I might wear it anyway, if it fits. It won’t be too fancy, will it?” It was fluffy, not sleek.
“Is there such a thing? You’re going to look like a fucking princess. I can’t wait to see the expressions on your boys’ faces,” Mercy chuckled. “They are your boys, right? Valya says you were hooking up with them at the wedding, but Dean says you’re dating.”
“Yes.” My cheeks burned.
“Clark is one hot tater tot. You should absolutely fuck him and keep him. I’ve only seen pictures of the other one, but hoo boy, he’s a sexy man.” Kaiko threw a cheese puff in the air and caught it in her mouth.
“He’s taller thanGrif.” Mercy grabbed a handful. “If they treat you right, go for it.”
“They do. I don’t know what we are? Like it’s serious and exclusive, I think. Tens and I are coming off breakups. Though I’m ready and Clark…” I exhaled as I remembered last night…
“The man bought you books and bubble tea. I’m pretty sure he thinks you’re dating,” Mercy laughed.
Kaiko nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with dating again. If anyone says anything, they can fuck off.”
“True. I mean, they’re already mine.” I looked at my phone and Matty had texted me more.
Matty
Flavie thought you wanted some hot pink one. But I knew when you saidlooked like a princess,it was this one. Chiara has that one, anyway.
Send me a pic from the hockey dance.
Me
