Page 118 of Bad Influence
“Lil!”
“Grace!”
The two of them hug like long lost siblings.
“This is Caroline,” Lilith says, introducing me. “She needs a dress for a fancy event.”
“You’ve come to the right place,” Grace says. They turn,leading us into their apartment. It’s mostly empty except for dress racks filled with garment bags.
“Where are you going?” Grace asks, as they shuffle through the dresses.
“My boyfriend is taking me to a charity gala,” I say.
I snap my mouth shut, a little surprised at what’s just come out of my mouth. It’s the first time I’ve said Killian is my boyfriend and I look at Lilith and Eve to see if they’re surprised. They’re just looking through dresses like I haven’t said anything odd.
I guess it isn’t odd. Of course, Killian is my boyfriend. We tattooed each other! You don’t do that with a casual acquaintance or a situationship. You do that with someone you want to keep in your life for a long time.
“What’s the vibe you’re going for?” Grace asks.
“Something that’s not this,” I say, waving a hand at my beige pants and white blouse.
“So nothing says you use summer as a verb,” they say.
“I’ve been known to do that in the past,” I admit.
“Try this.” They hand me a garment bag and point towards a room. “You can try it on in there.”
“Where did you get these clothes?” I ask, walking to the room.
“I designed them,” Grace replies.
I close the door of the room and I’m surprised to see that the inside is designed like a change room at a department store. There are full length mirrors lining the walls so you can see yourself from every angle. I hang the garment bag on the hook on the back of the door and unzip to reveal a dress that can pass as a nightie.
I breathe out. “Here goes nothing.”
Quickly shedding my clothes, I pull the dress on. It slinks down my body perfectly. The straps are thin, the neckline plunging and edged with lace. There are lace cut outs on thesides of the waist. I twist my hair up and while it is sexy, I don’t think it’s appropriate.
I open the door, and step out.
Lilith, Eve, and Grace stop to look at me.
“I feel like I’m in a nightie,” I say.
“I’m sure Killian wouldn’t mind,” Eve says with a grin. “Not sure I mind, either.”
“I have to agree with Evie on both counts,” Lilith says.
“I can keep the dress, but it’s not appropriate for a charity gala,” I say, blushing slightly. “It looks like something I might wear out to dinner when I’m on my honeymoon.”
“What you’re saying is, we need Killian to propose,” Eve says. “We can make that happen.”
“No! Oh my god! That’s absolutely the last thing I want!”
I’m horrified at the notion of being married. Would I like it to happen one day? Of course. But I’m not thinking about it right now. I just got out of an engagement I didn’t want. It’s going to be bad enough when our parents find out Killian and I are dating. Imagine them finding out we’re engaged at the same time.
Eve and Lilith raise their eyebrows, surprised at my reaction, no doubt. Something about the idea of marriage right now makes me shrivel up.Notthat Killian is about to propose.
“Can I please try another dress?” I ask Grace.
