Page 14 of Falling Hard
"You plan to book every wedding venue Luke ever books? Shit, you could solve homelessness in New York," Demetria said.
Mei just kept looking at me.
"Go ahead, it's your turn, pile it on," I spat.
She only looked behind me. "Solenne is coming."
Of-fucking-course she was. Silliene walked toward us like she owned the street in fashionable jeans, her tiny chest wrapped in a leather jacket. Her dark hair swung as she walked and, like always, her smile made my stomach tighten. On her hand was a rock that I’d somehow missed the last time I saw her.
"You say I'm wasting money, look at the size of that ring Luke put on the trash," I whispered.
My girls tried to stifle their laughter as thetrashstood in front of us.
"Oh, Olivia, I didn't know you would enjoy this sort of activity."
Alex didn't even give me a chance. "If theEye on Fashioneditor can stuff her face with questionable meat on a stick, why can't she?"
Silliene looked confused by her harsh tone.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry. If I’d known you were going, I would’ve said we should come together. Luke wants us to get to know one another better, since we’ll all be connected now,” Silliene said.
Demetria smiled. "Does Luke often pick your friends for you? You might want to put a pin in that now?"
That one was unexpected. Silliene looked uncomfortable.
"Oh, you must be the other ... Bitches Luke told me about," Silliene said in a way that didn't sit right with me.
The woman obviously had a death wish.
Without even looking, I could guarantee my friends' expressions matched mine. Pure anger.
"Excuse me?" Alex said.
Mei stepped forward. "How dare?—"
"Wait. No. I'm sorry. Luke told me everyone calls your groupThe Bitches. He even said you call yourself it," she blabbered.
Demetria spoke calmly. "We can call ourselves that in friendly company. However, you aren't one of us."
"Oh. I'm so sorry. I misunderstood."
Remembering the new position she wrangled, I defused the situation. "Girls, remember, Silliene wasn't born or raised here. Maybe it's a cultural misunderstanding."
She nodded and smiled, grateful for the help.
Mei stared at her for a long while, while Alex gave a look that said she wasn't buying it.
"That explains it then. No harm done," Demetria said.
"Sorry, I keep putting my foot in my mouth. This isn't like me, but I'm getting a vibe. Do you guys have an issue with me?" she asked, then answered her own question. "Wait, is this because I burdened Fox & Cie with making me a custom wedding dress?"
Mei's eyes widened. "Liv? You're dressing her for the wedding?"
"My dad said it's a great business decision," I explained.
"If you'd rather not?—"
I cut her off before this ruined Fox & Cie. "Don't be silly. If my dad had given me a chance, I would've agreed. If not for anything else, for Luke's sake alone. I'd spare nothing to help him have what he deserves."
