Page 63 of Iris
I narrow my eyes. “Did you try and date her?”
Heath, for what it’s worth, looks horrified. “Good god, no. I’ve just seen her in action. But you could learn from her?—”
“How to be a bitch?”
“How to play the game, Iris,” he says softly. “She’s going to play it hard, find the best, the richest, the most eligible and doher damnedest to win him. She’ll be the person he thinks he wants. Do that.”
“You want me to lie?”
He huffs out air. “I want you not to be a pain in my ass.” Then Heath leans against the desk. “I want you happy, but I want you happy with a mate. And there are more Alphas coming in for this Season, if Stephan’s to be believed. Which he is. He hears things, passed it along.”
I make an immediate note to visit Violet. I miss her, and I can grill her damned mate, too.
“Fine,” I push out. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Happy?”
“I will be. When you prove it to me.”
“When did you become such a fascist, Heath?”
He shrugs. “When my younger sister decided to try and single-handedly bring more scandal on the family. Now, go. I’ve got a dress shopping expedition to deal with in the morning.”
True to his word, Mom and Heath head out as soon as the stores open. And I’m…I’m stuck inside.
Rue’s learning a new dance in her room that she swears is the latest thing and plans to debut it at the ball.
Violet isn’t answering her phone but I think she has a host of doctor appointments booked by Stephan today. I check my messages, and yep…she does. Knowing Vi, I send her a text.
Hope the checkups go well, let’s hang soon. Miss you the most, Iris X
Dahlia’s downstairs practicing for her part of the orchestra for the ball as there seems to be a small orchestra this time…
And Mari… I don’t know where Mari is.
I couldn’t be bothered searching the house for her, so I pick up my phone and text.
Where are you?
Mari responds a few minutes later.
Mari
Don’t b mad, Iris. I tagged along with H and Mom. Figured u might want H soothed a little and led in a nicer direction.
And???
She goes silent.
I repeat the message.
And???
Finally she responds.
Mari
I’m sure we can work with it. Dress is the best of the bunch. I nixed the hair appointment and threw in ‘frugality’ and said I’d do it. Mom picked the makeup.
Oh. God.
