Page 113 of The Bad Girl List

“We love you, too,” Mom says. “Now sit down and eat before the food gets cold.”

CHAPTER 36

Last Night

DOMINIQUE

Two nights later, I stand in front of the mirror, staring at myself in the two-hundred-ninety-nine dollar dress from the downtown Healdsburg boutique. It’s the same one I saw in the window the night I walked around downtown with Trevor. After tax, it was over three-hundred dollars.

I still can’t believe I bought it. I’d charged it to my credit card, along with the matching low heels I’d selected.

It is, hands-down, the most gorgeous outfit I own. The dark blue fabric is thick and silky. It’s fitted at the waist and flares out, stopping just above my knees. There are big pockets in the front, exactly the size I need for my sketchbook and pencils. Blue birds a shade darker than the fabric are embroidered around the dress.

My mom and aunties nearly had synchronized heart attacks when I checked out at the store, and every last one of them tried to talk me out of the purchase.

A month ago, I never would have dreamed of buying myself something so nice. A week ago, instead of asking them to go shopping with me, I would have snuck out to buy the dress and pretended it had come from the clearance rack at Target.

But today, I let them all see the price tag before I bought it. I didn’t let their horror deter me from my mission.

Now I’m ready for one last night out with Annika. We’re going to Platitude.

“Thomas and Minnie are going to meet us,” Annika says, applying mascara to my eyes. “Thomas promised to buy the first round of drinks.”

Thinking of Thomas makes me think of Trevor. I haven’t heard from him since he dropped me off the other day. Not that I expected to. I had made it clear the door between us is closed, no matter how much I like him.

“There.” Annika pulls back to check her make-up with a critical eye. “You look gorgeous. What do you think?”

I study myself in the mirror. Annika had applied just enough make-up to emphasize my cheekbones, lips, and eyes. I smile at myself.

“I like it,” I say. “It’s not too much.”

“Yes, but it’s still hot.” She winks at me.

“I should be able to pick up a guy in this outfit,” I say.

“You could pick up multiple guys looking like that.”

The aunties are already at the casino for one last night of gambling with Gramps and his old-timers. Minnie picks us up, and we all ride over to Platitude.

“Hey, doll, you think about my offer?” Minnie asks, looking at me in the rearview mirror. “Annika says you still need someone for number ten on your list.”

“Thanks, Minnie, but I’m going to pass and find a guy tonight,” I say, hardly believing I’m having this conversation, and in front of my smirking cousin no less. “I thought about it, but I’m just not into girls.”

“Can’t blame me for trying,” Minnie replies with a shrug. “You look hot as fuck. You won’t have any problem finding a piece of cock tonight.”

As soon as we arrive downtown, I see what she means. It’s Saturday night, and downtown Healdsburg is once again bustling. The restaurants and bars are hopping. Minnie has to circle around the plaza four times to find a parking spot.

When we walk into Platitude, I spot Thomas. He waves to us from the bar, pointing to four Cosmopolitans sitting in front of him.

Someone taps me on the shoulder. “Hey, gorgeous,” says a familiar voice. “I was wondering if you were still in town.”

I turn around and find Kevin smiling down at me.

CHAPTER 37

Goodbye

TREVOR

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