Page 48 of Spears and Shadows (Defenders of the Light)
“It’s paid off.” Odelle’s tone was approving. “Your butt has never looked this good before.”
Nora twisted to see her backside in the mirror, and she had to admit that Odelle was right. Her training with Ezra had done her some favors when it came to the view of her posterior. What a lovely bonus that one of the side effects of training to survive an attack by evil monsters was a perkier behind.
“Be careful or I might get jealous. Everybody knows I’m supposed to be the hot one,” Odelle teased, stepping up next to Nora in the mirror before softening her tone. “But seriously, you look breathtaking.”
“Thanks,” Nora said before pausing, taking a moment to fiddle with the waistband of her dress before continuing, “We’re good, right?”
The silence was brief before Odelle said, “It’s the two of us. We’ll always be good.”
Nora nodded gratefully. She opened her mouth, considering spilling the truth about everything that had happened in her life right then and there. A little bit longer. She could wait until she could confidently tell Odelle that she was able to defend herself from the Shadow so Odelle wouldn’t have to worry.
Nora shut her mouth, and Odelle broke the silence.
“And to show you how good we are, I have a little surprise for you,” she said, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Oh?”
“I managed to get a press pass to your gala, so I get to cover the event for a special interest piece and play up how wonderfully accomplished my big sister is,” Odelle said, lifting her chin proudly. “Plus, I wouldn’t want to miss them announcing your promotion.”
Nora’s jaw dropped and she turned to face her sister. Her mouth worked open and closed a few times before she asked, “Why aren’t we finding you something to wear then?”
“Bold of you to assume I haven’t already got something in my closet.” Odelle waved her question away. “Just be sure you save some interview time for me.”
Nora nodded enthusiastically before her mind hit a snag.
“I should warn you, though,” she started. “I’m bringing a date to the event, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
“Why wouldn’t I like the fact that I seem to have finally convinced you to get back in the saddle?” Odelle said with a quizzical tilt of her head.
Nora chewed her bottom lip before admitting, “It’s Adam.”
“The Adam from the hospital?”
Nora nodded before trying to defend herself. “He helped with the translation of the inscription on the sword, and we’ve been working closely together, and… Yeah,” she finished lamely.
Odelle pursed her lips, but to her credit, she seemed to try to reign in her skepticism. “I won’t ruin your night. But I swear, if something goes wrong at this gala, I’m going to find a way to embarrass that guy on national television.”
“Are you really going to disapprove of me seeing a perfectly good guy just because he was present when I got in an accident?”
“And an almost plane crash? Until you prove to me that he didn’t have something to do with either, then yes. Now come on, take the dress off so we can check out,” said Odelle, shooing her back into the dressing room. “We’ve still got to find you shoes to go with it.”
Nora did as she was told, but not before stealing one more glance over her shoulder at herself in the dress and grinning. She had a feeling Adam was going to appreciate the view from behind too.
