Page 52 of Past

"Well if you’re not buying new stuff, I am. I saw this hot, red dress I want to buy to wear at the twin’s party." I wink. Ten minutes later, we leave our coffees and walk out. The dress fits perfectly, and I can't wait for Elliot to see his present wrapped up in red.

Chapter 22

Allie

"Holy shit, I look good," I say to myself, looking at my stunning, red dress in the mirror. It fits me perfectly and falls to the floor with a slit all the way up to my hip, without showing my lack of underwear. The top is a halter, making my boobs look bigger than they are. My hair is down tonight with soft curls, which Izzy has done for me.

I turn to see Izzy tying the bow on the back of her purple dress. It's really cute but simple, and it is longer at the back. Izzy's hair is up in a messy bun with little curls coming out around her face.

"You’ll do," Izzy says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"I have something to show you, but you can't tell anyone until I show Elliot tonight," I say, and Izzy’s eyebrows rise up in a silent question. I lift my dress on the other side so she can see the four stars that start at my hip going down to my knee. They are beautiful and simple, but I love them.

"Wow, they’re lovely. What made you get those done?" she asks as I pull down my dress and straighten it out.

"It's a present for Elliot," I say.

"Why stars?"

"Long story," I mutter, not really wanting to tell Izzy that kind of story.

"So you love him," she muses.

"I don't know. Maybe," I say, looking away.

"You do." She giggles before grabbing her bag and throwing her phone into it. “I'll show you mine, just don’t tell the boys. Blake and Luke know I had it done, but I doubt Elliot, Seb, or Harley would be cool about it,” she says, and I glare at her.

“You had a tattoo done and didn’t tell me?”

“Only a few months ago, and you’ve been busy.” She grins.

She is right, I have been busy. Between the two dance classes, and university ending and starting again soon, I haven’t been able to stop. In the last two months, I took on more classes in the week at the gym, just like Harley offered. I don’t want to go back to university, I barely passed the first year, and I’m getting paid so much for dance that I don’t think I need to. I just have to find a way to tell my father and Elliot what I want. I know Harley will support me, he made that clear, and I would love the new job.

“What do you think?” Izzy has pulled her dress down on the one side so I can see a tattoo just over her ribs. Her bra blocks a bit of it, but I can see its four different-coloured roses, they are on a vine going across her ribs and her mother’s name is written just under it in fancy writing.

“It’s lovely; did Luke design it? It looks like one of his,” I say, because I’ve seen all of his designs at the tattoo shop in town. I was lucky Luke wasn’t in when I had my tattoo done. I would have to owe him another favour. He hasn’t collected the first one yet, and it worries me. The youngest King brother is definitely the sneakiest.

“Yes, he did it actually. Hurt like hell but worth it. Blake loves it.” She winks, and I laugh.

“I bet he did, I want the same reaction from Elliot tonight,” I say, feeling a little nervous. What if he doesn’t like it, or it’s going too far too soon?

She laughs and shakes her head at me as she sorts her dress out.

I sort my phone and small purse bag out before putting on my new, leather jacket.I totally bought this because it reminded me of Elliot. I really don’t know how, but that man is making me crazier than I thought I’d ever be.

Blake is waiting in the kitchen in our apartment when we come out, and I see his eyes basically devour Izzy. I roll my eyes when he pulls her into a hot kiss.

"Guys, we should be leaving," I mutter, knowing they’re both ignoring me. Harley is hosting a party for Sebastian and Elliot at his house, and Blake is driving us both.

"Sure, sorry, but I had to do that," Blake says, throwing a wink at my blushing friend.

"Yes, she looks hot, but we have got to go," I repeat myself.

"Come on, beauty. Allie can't wait to see the birthday boy," Blake teases as we walk out, and I hit him on the arm when he walks past.

We all get into Blake's large jeep, which is difficult with my dress but I manage it without help.It makes me think back to Harley’s truck that Elliot borrowed. That thing was a nightmare to get into.

It takes around thirty minutes to get to his house, and it's packed, with cars filling the long driveway. We have to park a little away from the house because we can't get close.

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