Page 149 of Iris
He’s downstairs with Heath, Dahlia, and Rue. Mom and Mari are at Pen’s already, since Mari is helping and Mom’s the main host of the Midnight Garden party.
“I hated them all. One was too old, another too…creepy, a third’s a possibility but I’m pretty sure he was more into Heath than me so…not sure that’d work.”
She chuckles. “I don’t think so.”
I stare at her.
“Close your mouth, Iris.” Violet goes to her bag and pulls out a jar and a small container of chocolate sauce.
She opens both, and I’m struck by the overwhelming smell of vinegar and dill. My sister selects a spear and dips it into the sauce, then munches the spear with a sigh.
Then she looks at me and shrugs. “Don’t judge me.”
“That…” I point at what she’s eating, “is disgusting.”
“Delicious.” She sets the jars down. “So you didn’t likeanythem. Not even the chinless wonder, Errol?”
“Especially not him.”
Vi smiles and smooths down her dress which is feminine with cap sleeves and a demure sweetheart neckline. It’s a leaf green shade which says garden but not necessarily night.
I don’t think she cares. I slide another pin that glitters into my hair. There are heaps of them in there, holding my hair up in a messy do and sparkling like the sky. It matches the subtle silvery and gold threads that run through the black of my dress.
“Perfect,” Vi says.
As I apply my lipstick. I shake my head. “It’s the Heath show. He’s filled my mini’s dance card.”
“He’s concerned. And pushy.”
I turn, staring, hand tight on the lipstick tube. “That’s just a sugared-coated way of saying he’s a complete and utter dickwad.”
“Maybe you can find someone tonight who can stand for more than a dance.” She helps herself to another pickle abomination. “You never know. And it’ll appease him, so that maybe he’ll give you room.”
“He’s trying to control my life.”
She nods. “I know it feels that way. I know it all too well. But no matter how much of a…”
“Utter dickwad?”
“Right. No matter how much of one of those he is, he wouldn’t want you to just pick anyone to make him happy. He wants you just to be open so that you can find your true mate.”
I sigh. I severely doubt Heath gives two shits about what my heart wants, but Violet likes to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
“He has a weird way of showing it,” I say.
She nods again. “Is Quinn at least coming tonight?”
I sigh. “Quinn’s got her own problems. Mrs. Hyde’s gone insane, found a potential mate for Odessa from the other side of the world, so they’re not attending this one.”
Unless Quinn can sneak out. Which is what I’m hoping for.
As for Vi’s other words…I’m not so sure anything other than me mating a rich Alpha of Heath’s choosing will placate him.
Just then Heath’s voice thunders up the stairs. “Are you two ready?”
Showtime.
The place is transformed. It’s a garden inside and out.
