Page 26 of Inviting Trouble
Mad stared at the table. “What if he doesn’t want to dance?”
“Put your arms around his neck anyway. See what happens.”
Mad turned to face Hailey, eager to move the topic away from her own awkwardness. “Did you find anyone else to join your dance with Josh?” Hailey was supposed to dance with Josh for the bridal party dance, though they were the only two in the bridal party, and she’d already informed Josh that it was fine with her if they invited others to join them. She was probably hoping to bail as soon as another couple got on the dance floor. Josh had replied quite seriously, “I could never disappoint the bride’s wishes,” which Hailey had thought was no kind of answer.
Hailey stiffened. “No.”
Mad chuckled.
Hailey glared. “I know you think it’s funny that your brother drives me nuts. But for me, well, he’s a beast! I can barely stand to be in the same room with him. Do you know he’s been missing at least one ingredient for my favorite drink for the past six months? I can never get a decent mojito anymore.”
Mad lifted one shoulder up and down. “So go to a different bar.”
Hailey tossed her long strawberry blonde hair over one shoulder. “Why should I have to leave my hometown bar just because he’s too incompetent a manager to get the proper ingredients?” Her voice got a little enthusiastic on the word manager, like maybe she was secretly happy for his promotion. These two were fucked up.
“You know he’s doing it on purpose, right?” Mad asked.
“Of course I know! Because he’s a cad. Ever since he’s been missing an ingredient, I’ve been explaining his unfortunate condition.” She raised two fingers and then made them droop.
“We know!” Charlotte exclaimed with a laugh. Everyone knew.
Hailey beamed. “The important thing is,hedoesn’t know.”
But just wait until he found out, Mad thought. She mentally rubbed her hands together, already imagining what Josh’s devious revenge would be.
The women finished getting ready, all made up, hair styled and sprayed, formal dresses in place. Hailey wore a deep red off-the-shoulder satin sheath that clung to her curves, Charlotte looked stunning in a bright yellow asymmetrical dress that exposed one shoulder and was short enough to show off her long legs, and Ally, Carrie, and Lauren all had versions of the little black dress. She supposed she wouldn’t stick out as much as she feared in her little black dress.
Mad dressed last, postponing the uncomfortable feeling of wearing a dress until the last possible minute. She turned her back on the women, pulled off her cargo shorts and long-sleeve shirt, and slipped on the dress. It fit her perfectly. Not skin-tight as it would have been on the bustier, curvier Hailey, but it looked good. She hiked up the top, making sure her boobs could hold it in place and her tattoo was covered. There.
She crossed to the full-length mirror set up just for them. Bra had to go. She slipped that off and tossed it on her clothes pile on the floor. She turned to her friends, who were all staring at her. “What?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Charlotte started.
“Because boy shorts are super cute,” Lauren said.
“If you like that style of panty,” Ally said, “which some people do.” She nodded enthusiastically, making her blond bangs bounce in time.
Mad narrowed her eyes.
“They have to go,” Hailey said.
Mad ran a hand over her hip. “What’s wrong with them?”
“Lines,” Hailey said. “It’s ruining the shape of the dress. Bunchy boy shorts.”
“They’re girl panties,” Mad protested.
“I’ve seen some cute bra-panty sets in that style,” Ally said.
The women all rushed to agree.
Hailey shook her head. “But not in that dress.”
“But that’s the only kind I have!” Mad exclaimed. And she was not going to wear Hailey’s preferred thong. It was weird to share underwear.
Hailey looked at her expectantly.
“And I don’t have time to shop,” Mad added lamely as it dawned on her what the only solution was. “But the dress is so short,” she whispered, tugging at the hem as if that would make it longer. It was maybe three inches past her ass.
