Page 119 of Into the Woods

Cami looked utterly stunned. “But you’ve barely known him for two weeks.”

“What can I say? When you know, you know,” I replied, shooting Eric a warm smile.

Cami’s brow furrowed. “Okay, I know you wanted to get over Court, but getting engaged? That’s a huge step.” She shook her head and lowered her voice. “Talk to me, girl. What’s really going on?”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed a bit harder than necessary. “I need you to just support me right now, okay? Can you do that?”

She studied me carefully, and I worried that she’d press the issue. But Cami was nothing if not on my side. “Okay, babe. Then I guess I call dibs on maid of honor?”

My shoulders dropped in relief. “Deal. Just don’t tell Jayme I gave you first dibs.”

Linking her arm with mine, Cami towed me toward the dressing rooms, where a woman waited for us dressed in a teal cocktail dress with a chunky belt and large earrings. Her brown hair was pulled back in a severe bun, but she had a wide smile.

“Bex, this is Janice,” Cami introduced. “Janice has helped style me for more after-parties and benefits than I can count.”

Janice’s gaze scanned me from head to toe as she tapped a pale pink nail on her chin. “Nice proportions. 32 C?”

I blinked in surprise as she guessed my bra size. “Uh, yeah.”

She slowly circled me. “Hmm, might need a bit of a lift for your rear end, but you’ve got lovely legs.”

“Thanks?” I shot Cami a look, and she shrugged in return and flashed me a thumbs up. Clearing my throat, I looked at Janice. “I’m interested in something yellow.”

Her lip curled. “Yellow?”

“It’s my favorite color,” Eric spoke up, giving Janice a hard stare. “Besides, she looks ravishing in any color, unless you’re implying this store doesn’t have the proper attire for my fiancée?”

Alex’s head shot up. “Fiancée?”

Eric ignored him, instead looking at me. “Don’t you agree, my love?”

“Of course,” I replied quickly.

Janice huffed softly. “I have a few options. I’ll bring them to your room.” She whirled away with a flourish.

Cami gave me a slightly uneasy look, but I studiously ignored her. Instead I went into one of the dressing rooms and started to strip off my clothes. After folding them, I looked at myself clad only in lilac lace panties and a matching bra.

I fingered the lacy edge of one cup, remembering the way Court’s eyes had flashed with appreciation as he’d pushed my hands away to do the clasp behind my back for me. The way he’d dragged his nose up the back of my leg as he tugged my underwear up.

Something caught my eye, and I turned in the full-length mirror to see a small purple bruise on my hip. It looked innocent enough, like I’d bumped into something. But I knew exactly where I’d gotten that bruise. Even now I could feel the possessive way Court had gripped my hips as he’d thrust into me last night.

My clit gave a needy throb, and I wished more than anything that he was here with me right now.

I jumped as the curtain was drawn back and Janice stepped inside, her lips pressed together over the mountain of yellow and gold fabric draped over her arm. She began hanging the dresses, muttering about yellow being a spring and summer color and this being a winter event.

But when she turned to me, she gave me a weak smile. “Let’s see if we can find you a proper dress, shall we?”

I nodded, even as I knew my opinion wouldn’t matter. And sure enough, Eric shot down almost every dress I tried on.

The first one showed too much cleavage.

The second made me look like a nun, all covered up.

The third was too marigold.

The fourth had feathers, and apparently he was allergic.

I could sense Janice getting ready to explode when I tried on the fifth dress, a pale champagne that sparkled and fell to the floor. I’d definitely need heels to keep from tripping over the hem, but it was stunning.

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