Page 163 of Indecent Obsession
“You could probably tag along with Madison’s group.” I glance toward the dressing rooms. It’s weird to suggest, but I’m sure Madison wouldn’t mind. If one of my guys didn’t have a date, I’d offer. I’d be much happier with her on their arm, knowing she wouldn’t be trying to take them away from me.
“Oh, no.” She shakes her head. “I couldn’t. I definitely wouldn’t fit in.” She lets out a sharp laugh. “I wouldn’t even know which fork to use.”
“That wouldn’t be an issue.” My fingers linger on a pale green silk dress. I have to pick something, but this is far more sexy than something I would normally wear. “My issue is whether Olivia Clark will give me a backhanded compliment if I wear this dress? Will Verity turn her nose up at me or try to poison the guys against me?”
I sigh and pick up the dress and a silver one that’s more in line with what I would usually wear. I bump my shoulder into Hope. “You could at least try on a dress. Pretend to live the fairy tale for a moment.”
She scoffs. “I don’t need a fairy tale when I have an actual future to look forward to.”
Going into business together. That’s the end goal.
“I’ll finish my degree and then we’ll all rule the business world together.” I grin. “As much as I enjoy working at the office with the guys, it will definitely be different when Tom comes back.”
Hope frowns as we walk to the changing rooms. “Any word from your brother?”
I shake my head. “Only the message to our mother. It’s just not like him to go this long without sending me something.”
“I don’t know what I’d do if Jason just up and left.” Hope shivers as she sits on the bench facing the row of changing rooms. “He wouldn’t do that to me. He’s always been there for me.”
I blow out a breath. “Yeah, Tom’s done this before, but not like this. Not when he thinks we’re in danger.”
Madison steps out of the dressing room in a sleek red dress that hugs her curves. She looks down at it and then steps in front of the three-way mirror. “What do we think?”
She glances over her shoulder at her ass. Her blond hair flows in waves down her back.
“I don’t think you’ll make it out of the apartment.” Hope laughs.
Madison smiles and smooths the fabric over her hips. “I mean, that’s the point, isn’t it?”
I lean against the wall. It may seem like I have what she has, but there are no conditions on her relationship. Those men belong to her one hundred percent.
Her blue eyes lift and find mine in the mirror. “Are you going to try those on?”
I nod but something inside me breaks a little. Fuck. It’s easy to pretend they’re mine when we’re all together, but it won’t last. Part of me has to wonder if Drew will be enough after having all of them. I don’t like thinking of him as my parting gift.
“Hey.” Madison’s voice is gentle as she walks over to me. “Is this about those women tonight?”
I shake my head because if I speak, the lump in my throat that I’m pretty sure is holding back tears will dislodge.
Madison’s eyes soften and she draws me into her arms. “I wish I had some advice for you. But I know what you have with your guys is different. You can always call me when you need someone to lean on though.”
I tighten my arms around her but don’t unleash the flood. That’s not how I was raised. I was raised to suck it up and go on as if my world isn’t spinning off its axis. I inhale her soft floral perfume and straighten.
She rubs my arms as she searches my eyes. “You good?”
I force a smile. “Yes. Thank you. I’m just glad you and Kayla will be there, even if you’re at a different table.”
Kayla walks out. Her dark hair falls in silky waves down the backless black dress she has on. Her green eyes sparkle as she takes us in. “If any of those bitches at your table cause a problem, I’ll be there. I can seduce a society girl in thirty seconds or less.”
My smile widens. “I might need you to hold off Olivia from trying to conquer Finn.”
Kayla moves to the mirror and turns so she can see her back. She gives me a smile. “In this dress? Definitely.”
Madison laughs and Hope coughs.
Kayla grins at them. “I haven’t forgotten you two. You all are my ideal harem, but since you all seem to prefer dick… ” She shrugs and winks at me. “I can find someone else to have fun with while you come to terms with your curiosity.”
“You’re welcome to any of the other women at my table, but I need to warn you, Verity Baron is a bitch and will stab you in the back while smiling to your face.” I straighten and go into a dressing room. I need armor to deal with Verity tonight. Drew will be my shield, but I’ll be prepared for whatever she has to throw at me.
