Page 103 of Grand Love

“It’s see-through?”

“The lace detailing will hide the important parts.”

“Luce.”

“Put it on.”

She slides it off the hanger and I start to undress. “I presume I will have to go braless.”

“Yup.”

I step into the black lace as she holds it open for me, then lift the thin straps over my shoulders. I look down and instantly feel my eyes bug out at the view of my chest. “Luce, I can’t.”

“Hurry up!” Megan yells, knocking on the wood and making it wobble.

“Yes, you are, that’s all I have for you.” She stands, taking in my profile. “Turn around,” she tells me, biting her lip.

“Stop looking at me like you want to undress me, you weirdo.”

“You have no idea, Nina Anderson! I’ve nailed this.”

She zips me up and I have to suck in a breath with how tight the dress is. “I better be able to unzip this.”

“It doesn’t have much give, but we need it tight. We have to keep these bad boys safe and steady.” She flicks my nipple and I cover it with my palm.

“Oww!”

“Girls! Look at this queen!” She grins, spinning me and pushing me out from behind the divider.

“No!” Megan says in shock.

“Nina.” Scarlet stills, shaking her head.

Oh good god, no. I can’t stand the look on their faces. All I can think about is what everyone will think and say at the ball. “Luce, I can’t wear this!”

“No!” Megan tells me. “No, in a good way no. Nina, you are wearing that dress.” She points.

I move to stand in front of the mirror and instantly have to catch my breath.

Fuck.

“You’re going to kill him, your tits, it’s the tits,” Megan states.

The entire dress is lace, thin, see-through and like a second skin, hugging my every curve with its fishtail shape. It has a plunging neckline that sits just below my sternum. My nipples are the only parts of my breasts that are covered, hidden behind the black lace flowers decorating the dress. Oddly, it isn’t tacky, it’s so impossibly intricate with the lace embroidered delicately into the sheer fabric, that it looks unbelievably beautiful and expensive.

“Okay, I actually don’t hate it.”

“Lucy, you are going places, girl. I’m in awe of your talent right now,” Scarlet tells her.

“Thank you, I had the most beautiful canvases.”

“Champers!” Megan orders.

We all take a flute from the dresser, shuffling around the room, feeling like princesses. “I vote to not show the boys. I mean, I don’t think Elliot will keep his mouth shut to Mase and we need the full wow factor, right?” Scarlet asks.

“Right!” Lucy agrees.

“To the girls!” I toast, holding my glass high and waiting for them to follow.

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