Page 66 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
While Austin satisfied me in bed, there were things I’d wanted to try that he wasn’t interested in. I’d always wondered when we formed a pack if one or two of them might also be my lovers or mates beside Austin.
“Did you not have that lesson in school? My other big sister’s mate is an advocate for the Omega Center, and he has access to every educational video ever made,” Mercy said.
“She’s talking about fucking.” Valya laughed.
“I… I’ve never really dated anyone other than Austin. I’m not sure how dating multiple people or forming a pack would go.” Looking at myself in the mirror, I grimaced. Ugh, I looked like I worked for my dads.
Hard nope. I couldn’t get the suit off fast enough, and I put on another.
Ooh, this could work. I pulled on the jacket. Oooh, I looked like a powerful, sexy bitch in this feminine navy pantsuit.
“You look fucking hot in that,” Mercy appraised when I came out. “You’ll need a couple of suits and nice things. That’s one thing I didn’t truly understand when I got drafted. Fortunately, I have a Verity to dress me.”
“She’s always so put together. Valya, I’d much rather have regular clothes than evening gowns. I don’t have any jeans, or skirts, or cute dresses, nice tops, dressy pants, or even pjs,” I admitted.
“We’ll make you so cute. Some of the outfits you still need for the wedding will work for less formal occasions, too. Let me make you a rack of casual outfits, and I’ll be right back,” Jolette told me.
I looked at Valya. “We can always go someplace else for regular clothes.”
“Try. It’s fun.” Valya handed me more things.
I continued to try everything on, sending pictures to Clark and Tenzin, drinking more champagne, and eating all the cookies. The school outfits Jolette put together were super cute. It was like a whole different person looked back at me in the mirror. She was fierce, confident, and poised.
We helped Valya decide on dresses for the wedding and a couple of outfits for her choir’s trip to Europe, and Mercy found some things for the upcoming season. The Maimers tended to wear flashier outfits to their games than hockey players. The sparkly suit she wore a lot last year was one of my favorites.
Jolette brought us some cake and coffee. While I could use some coffee, since I was feelingfantasticfrom all that champagne, I’d like some actual food.
“Okay, Jolette, bring everything we liked back out, so I can make my final choices.” While I didn’t need all those outfits and dresses, I’d like a few. Not only did I need clothes, but I feltgoodin them.
“It’s fine. We’ll now go to Beautyland for makeup. Your clothes will be delivered to Clark’s.” Valya stood.
“You got meallthe clothes? That’s too much, Valya.” I didn’t want to take advantage of Dimitri’s kindness, since he was the one paying for all these clothes, our spa day, and whatever else Valya had planned.
“You have new hair, time for a new style. It’s no problem.” Valya went to the restroom.
“Don’t worry, I’ll organize everything by outfit with a list so you know how it goes together. Have so much fun at the wedding and you’re going to look great when classes start.” Jolette took our empty cups.
The bottom fell out of my stomach. I turned to Mercy and lowered my voice. “Did Valya just buy meallthose clothes? I thought I was going to pick. I think she may have dropped more than I owe in tuition.”
That was so much money.
“Probably.” Mercy nodded. “However, she wanted to buy youclothes,so she did. Now you have a fucking amazing wardrobe.”
“You’re right.” I took a deep breath.
“Also, Jolette works on commission. I think this is a ploy to both get you clothes and make sure Jolette has money for the choir trip,” Mercy told me.
“That makes sense. It’s just a lot of money for me. There’s still so much I need. Like sports bras and some normal non-cute outfits. I mean, I guess I could get some of it when I go run downthe aisles at Swoop with Clark. But I don’t like Swoop’s sports bras and I’d rather get some of the other things I need. Same with running down the aisle at Home Things with Carlos. Not that they sell bras either.”
“What?” Mercy’s eyebrows rose as she stuffed the last bit of cake in her mouth.
“Clark said he’d take me to Swoop and I could fill up a cart and he’d time me. I’m so excited.” I laughed, my head still a little spinny. “Carlos said he’d do the same for Home Things.”
He’d also brought me my fixed goalie mask, which lookedamazing.
“That sounds like so much fun,” Mercy agreed. “Look, let Valya buy you whatever she wants, okay? What are you doing tomorrow? Athlete’s World on 8th has the best ladies' department. It’s where I buy most of my non-fancy clothes. I’ll time you. We could turn it into a silly video. Say you won a bet and have you with a tiny basket trying to put large things in it.”
The ridiculousness of it, combined with the sugar and champagne, had me giggling so hard I fell off the couch.
