I swallow a ball of nervous energy, which settles in my stomach, turning my chicken fingers and fries into lead. Everything is changing so fast.
“Speaking of the event,” Ollie clears his throat, “we should probably go shopping and get you a dress.”
I look to my left, making sure my face shows exactly how not excited I am about the idea of going shopping again. “What kind of dress?” If he says a white gown, I’m going to kick his ass, right here in this restaurant.
“Or not,” Milo offers, picking up on my thoughts. “You can wear whatever you want.” My heads slumps to the side so I can see him. He probably thinks he’s helping, but letting me wear whatever I want could be a worse idea. If I show up in jeans and everyone else is in gowns and suits, I’d stick out even more.
“Please tell me what to expect. What will everyone else be wearing, and what does everyone expect me to wear?”
Dante leans in a little closer and wraps his arm over my shoulder. “It’s a pretty big deal—”
“Dante,” Ollie interrupts his friend with a warning in his tone. But he snaps his mouth closed and looks away when a feral light enters Dante’s eyes, the amber color turning more burnished.
“Like I was saying,” he continues, his voice a smooth deep timber. “It’s a big deal, the women all dress up, and the men do too. Even though it shouldn’t be the case, an Infinity’s standing in the community is often related to the power of their abilities. All of us come from very powerful families, and our Infinity is no different, stronger maybe, but we’re not going to advertise that.”
I stare up at Dante, the pendulum light over the table highlighting his cheekbones and full lips. His eyes dart across the table but he returns his gaze to me quickly. “So, they’ll expect it to be a big affair, especially since Ares was marked so long ago.”
I bite the inside of my lip. “Okay.” I nod, accepting that I need to do this. I knew being with them meant losing my invisibility.
“I did not think you meant today.” My hip is cocked out to the side and I fold my arms under my chest.
“Might as well get it over with, besides, would you rather be at home training?” I roll my eyes. Ollie has a point.
“Fine, but I’m not trying on anything that makes me look like I belong in a music video.” I narrow my eyes at Ollie and he has the nerve to look sheepish.
“You made that dress look amazing.”
“Dress, it was more like two ace bandages,” I snap back, thinking about the teal bodycon dress he had me put on in the last store.
Ollie chuckles darkly. “Like I said, amazing.” He leans forward and tweaks the tip of my nose.
“Come one. Maybe we’ll find something in the next store.” Milo grabs my hand and tugs me away from Ollie.
“How come Ares didn’t have to come?” I pout, wondering what he’s doing that got him out of going shopping.
“Ares already has a tux, a few in fact. And he’s got a meeting he already rescheduled so we could go fly out to Idaho,” Dante answers, opening the door into another store. The mall is open air, only attached by storefronts and cute cobblestone paths. There are more trees and fountains than you’d expect to find in the middle of a city. It’s really upscale, not someplace I’m used to shopping.
A bubbly young sales associate greets us as soon as we enter. “Hi, can I help you find anything?”
Cheeky Ollie throws his arm over my shoulder and pulls me in tight to his side. “We need a dress.” I jab my elbow into his ribs, but smile at the girl in front of us.
“Great, we got a few things in for the holiday season coming up, formal, casual?” she asks, her head tilting to the side as she looks me up and down.
I fight not to fidget. “Somewhere in the middle,” I answer before Ollie has a chance.
“What’s the event?” The salesgirl scans our group. We probably look pretty strange, one girl and three guys looking for a dress.
“A ceremony,” Ollie replies.
“A party,” I correct.
“Okay. So, dinner, dancing, or both?” She doesn’t miss a beat.
“Both.”
I jab Ollie again. “Would you stop answering for me, unless you’re going to wear the damn dress?” I glare up at him a challenge in my tone.
He backs away, hands raised in submission as he fights a grin. “I’m good.”
Dante and Milo take a self-preserving step back too, all of them suddenly finding the sunglasses rack against the front wall very interesting. Returning my attention to the salesclerk, I answer, “Dinner and dancing, I think. Like a wedding reception.” I whisper the last part, which just makes me look crazy. This girl has no idea the reception is mine. That’s probably the last thing she’s thinking.
“Okay, and when is the event?”
“This weekend.” She stifles a gasp at my response. Her lips tighten in a thin line and she nods her head, gearing up for a challenge.
“I’m not coming out in this one,” I intone over the partial divider of the fitting room. I just know this one was Ollie’s choice. It’s bloodred and skintight, and it flows down to the floor, but there’s a slit clean up my thigh, forgoing any modesty it might have had.
“Which one?” Dante calls from the other side of the door.
“The red one,” I spit, then mutter under my breath, “Fucking Ollie.”
“I picked the red one,” Dante answers dejectedly.
“You did?” I can’t keep the surprise from my voice. I can’t imagine him picking this dress. I turn to the others I have hanging in the room. I was sure he picked the short cream-colored dress. I’ve been avoiding that one. It comes a little too close to white.
“Why won’t you come out, is it too small?”
“No, not really. It is tight though… and I don’t know. It looks like the Pretty Woman dress.” I don’t tell him I feel way too exposed, it’s off the shoulder and shows off a lot of skin.
“Please,” he mutters even closer to the door. “No one else is out here. It’s just me and the guys.”
“Shit, shit, shit,” I mouth the words. If it was Ollie asking I wouldn’t have any problem telling him no, but it’s Dante, and he asked so nicely. He’s not trying to make me uncomfortable like I know Ollie does.
“Okay, but you guys have to come by the door. I’m not going out there.” I grab the handle and wait a few seconds before calling, “Ready?”
Several affirmatives come at once. I run my hand down my side to smooth the silky fabric. “Are you sure this is even a dress? It feels more like a nightgown.”
“Just let us see, Muenster.”
I turn the handle slowly, hearing a click when the lock disengages. I give the door a gentle push and take a hurried step back, just in case there might be someone else nearby.
A few seconds pass without anyone speaking. Ollie brings his hand up to his mouth, but I can still see the corners of his eyes crinkle when he tries to hide his smile.
Milo actually turns away from me. I watch as he scrubs his hand over his face and curses, “Holy hell. Not that dress.”
I look down at myself, it’s tight and pretty revealing, but I didn’t think I looked bad, it’s just not my style. I frown, wondering what he’s thinking.
I look up to Dante, waiting for his reaction, and hesitant for a whole other reason now. Will he think it’s horrible too? He takes a step closer, his eyes still near the floor where the slit starts. Dragging his gaze up my body, he tilts his head. He bites his bottom lip, his canines puckering the plump flesh.
I tangle my fingers together over my stomach. I’ve put on a little weight since I’ve been with the guys, do I have a bulge? That thought has my sucking in my tummy and straightening my back. Which pushes out my chest, so I round my shoulders trying to hide my boobs now too.
Still focused on Dante, I don’t notice Ollie snap a picture with his phone until I see the flash of his camera. “Ares will thank me for this.”
I narrow my eyes on him, but he ignores me and lifts his h
and, he makes a circle with his pointer finger, expecting me to do a turn. His phone is still in his other hand, so I ignore him.
“I’ll just try another one,” I offer, peeking at Dante from the corner of my eyes.
He’s moved closer while I was watching Ollie. His fingers graze the side of my bare thigh, finding my skin through the slit of the dress. He makes a low rumbling sound, which comes directly from his chest.
I glance over at Ollie, but he’s no help. He’s just watching us, his phone no longer in sight. I push my braid over my shoulder and lick my lips. “See, hooker dress.” I force a lightness into my tone, trying to break up the tension.
Hand still traveling up my thigh, Dante’s eyes track the movement. With a deep inhale he cups the back of my thigh and moves in even closer, his mouth going to my ear. “You look amazing,” he almost growls.
A shiver skates down my back, pebbling my skin into gooseflesh. I swallow and mutter a low, “Thank you.”
“How’s it going back here?” The salesgirl leans on the door with a few more dresses draped over her arm. She pretends to ignore Dante is in the fitting room with me. “That one is fabulous, what do you think?”
“Not for this event.” Milo finally turns back around.
She gives me a quick conspiratorial wink. “Brothers never like the sexy ones.”
“Not her brother,” Milo growls through his teeth, his arms folded over his wide chest.
She waves him off with her hand. “I brought a few from the back.” She holds up the dresses one by one. “See anything you like?”
“That one,” I blurt out when she holds up a champagne-colored dress. The bodice has small flower appliques stitched all over, scattering lower onto the tulle bottom of the dress. It’s not poofy, but it flares out a little.
“Great choice, this will look great with your hair and skin tone.” She hangs the dress on one of the few hooks not already filled, and places her hands on her hips. “Do you need a hand getting that one off?” I know she’s offering to get the guys out of here.
I feel Dante’s grip tighten before he drags his hand off my leg. Without another word, he spins and brushes past the girl in the doorway.
“I think I have it,” I answer her, watching Dante’s retreat. She gives me a tight smile before closing the door. I hear the handle jiggle like she’s checking to make sure it’s locked.
Undoing the side zipper, I slip off the red dress, returning it to the hanger. I walk over to the dress I asked for. Up close I can see it’s a few shades darker than champagne, the small flowers are ivory with shimmery taupe embroidery in the center. I finger the fine tulle at the bottom, noting how soft and light it feels. When I twist the hanger to find the zipper, I realize how very low the back is, there is no way I could wear a bra with this dress. My heart sinks, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable without one.
I already have the straps of my bra tucked under my arms for the last dress, so I decide it’s worth a shot. I really love this dress too much not to try. I make quick work of removing my bra. Grabbing the thin straps, I step into the gown and pull it over my hips. The cool satin of the lining glides over my skin, and it’s light as air.
“Oh, wow.”
“Good wow?” Ollie calls quickly.
I roll my eyes, I’m sure if the door wasn’t locked, he would have snuck in. “Shush,” I admonish him, looking into the mirror. The dress has a really deep sweetheart neckline, but there’s a nude mesh fabric that gives the illusion that it’s your bare skin. The bodice stops high, on my natural waist, with a few of the appliques hanging a little lower in a few spots. The tulle skirts are full, but not like a ballgown, it gives the dress a really feminine shape.
“Muenster, come on, let us see.”
“Just a second.” I hold the dress to my front and spin, looking over my shoulder to see the back. I let out a hiss, it’s really low and I can see my entire back. Removing my braid, I shake out my wavy hair to see how much would be visible if I wore my hair down.
“What is she doing in there?” Milo gripes.
Blowing out a breath I reach for the door handle. I really hope they like this one, because even without a bra, I love it. “Can one of you guys do the zipper? This one’s in the back.”
I hear scuffling sounds, and Milo is standing in front of the door when I open it. Dante gives him a shoulder check, but he doesn’t even budge. “I got it,” he says with a smile, ignoring Dante altogether.
They all stop moving and focus on me. Milo takes a step in my direction. “Wow, you look… beautiful.”
“That’s definitely the one,” Ollie confirms with a nod. “This one won’t get anyone killed.”
I look over at Dante to gauge his reaction again. He’s always so quiet, and his eyes scan me up and down a few times. He swallows and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Yes, you look beautiful.”
I spin around and grab my hair, pulling it over my shoulder so Milo can zip me. “What about the back, do you think it’s too much?”
“Oh, hell,” Dante curses, and I hear a thump.
“No, it’s not too much, you can’t see anything,” Ollie consoles. I feel Milo’s fingers on the base of my spine, searching through the fabric for the zipper. He slides it up a few short inches and I watch his reflection as he takes a step back.
“Do you like it?” Dante asks, and I nod, answering his question.
“I really do.” I run my hands over the soft, loose flowers then down to the tulle. I do a little swoosh from left to right, watching the fabric sway. A wide smile blooms on my lips. I’ve never had anything that makes me feel this pretty.
“Did you find the winner?”
I look in the mirror at the salesgirl near the door. Milo, Dante, and Ollie are all crowded in the room with me, but I don’t feel bad about it. We aren’t doing anything. “Yes, this is the one.”
Chapter 13
“So…” Milo’s tone and the way he drew out the word immediately raises my suspicion. “Ares called while you were getting dressed. He said all of our parents are at the house, they want to go over the plans for next weekend.”
I don’t know if it’s just me or not, but it feels like we keep dancing around the situation. Maybe talking about it with them and their parents is for the best. “Okay,” I agree easily which feels strange, I feel like I should be more nervous, perhaps I will be when it’s closer. I still have a whole week to worry about it.
Dante tucks his card back in his wallet as he walks away from the register. I never even saw a price tag on the dress, I hope it wasn’t too expensive. The salesclerk comes out of the back area with a black garment bag draped over her arm. “Here you go.” She hands me the bag and gives me a wide smile. “It was great working with you, if you need anything else, you know where to find us.”
“Thanks.” I go to fold the bag over my arm, but Dante takes it from me before I can.
Milo holds the door open as we all leave the store. “Where to next?”
“I thought we were going home?”
“You got the dress, but you still need shoes,” Ollie tells me.
I let my head fall back and look up at the sky, “Do we have to?”
He leans his face, so it’s over top of mine and kisses my forehead. “We do. It won’t take long, promise.”
I huff out a breath, but the kiss softened me a bit. We roam around the mall until we find a shoe store that has tons of high heels in the display window. I hope none of them have their hopes up, because I’m not wearing any of those.
The door chimes when Dante pulls it open. A petite brunette with a pixy cut lifts her head up to look in our direction. Lifting her hand in a wave, she calls, “Have a look around, let me know if you want to see anything.” Then she returns to what she was doing.
The shoes are displayed against the wall and range in style from elegant, to what I would call stripper shoes. Most of the heels are impossibly high, they look more like torture devices than shoes.
“W
hat about these?” Ollie picks up a baby pink stiletto. I shake my head and mouth a big “No.” They wouldn’t even match with the dress. I think he’s mostly just teasing me.
Milo mostly stands in the center of the store near a bench seat and looks around. Dante is much more tactile, and I find him wandering around, touching all the shoes, much more interesting than all the displays.
I force myself to look away from them and focus on finding something that will work so we can get home. I make a trip around the store looking up and down the walls. Near the bottom, by the register, I see a display of flats. They almost look like slippers, but they have pink ovals on the bottom for walking, so I’m assuming they’re shoes. Dante approaches me, looking down where I am.
I bite my lip. “Do you think I could get away with something like this? The hem of the dress just grazes the floor.”
He gives one shoulder a lazy shrug. “You don’t even have to wear shoes.”
I pick up a taupe-colored shoe, but my eyes are drawn to the pair covered in little three-dimensional flowers—they’re white with little splashes of red and green. I turn my attention back to the flat in my hand. The shoe is light, and the leather material is soft. I turn to face the register. “Can I see these in an eight, or eight and a half, please?”
The brunette lifts her head again and now that we’re closer, I can see the tiny ring she has in her nose and her dramatic makeup. She looks down at the shoe and heaves a sigh. “Sure, the beige ones?”
I nod and look down at the display again. Thinking quickly, I reach for the flower shoes too. “And these please.”
She gives me a tight, fake smile and spins around. “What’s her deal?” Ollie asks when she’s out of sight.
“No clue,” Milo adds, coming closer to our group.
“We don’t have the rose ones left in an eight and a half, but I have both sizes in this one.” She deposits three little boxes on the bench beside me. Not giving me much else, she turns and goes back to the counter where the register is and ignores us again.
Infinity Chronicles Book Three Page 12
