Page 62 of Frost Bitten
And that’s it. She gets me. Now to just survive the chaos until she can help me deconstruct everything.
* * *
“What the actual fuck?”
“Yeah,” I say to my friend as we eat peppermint bark ice cream for lunch. Ella sits on my bed, spoon hanging over her bowl, and mouth agape in the shock of everything that’s happened in the last couple of days.
“So, let me get this straight. Cam professes feelings for you, kisses you, even in front of yourother three guys, and then you are both shocked with the news you are now step-siblings. He doesn’t react well, and he runs off, avoiding everyone. And now, your mom is relying on you to help plan the party of the year, while also planning a move and putting some things in storage. Oh yeah, and the new step-bro/possible boyfriend didn’t react well, and now he might not be a boyfriend, and that’s ripping out your heart?”
“Oh, and don’t forget whatever timetable Jason gave me,” I say with a heavy sigh. “Though I haven’t heard from him in a while. Maybe he was scared underground for a bit? I can only hope. I don’t know what to do about that, if not.”
“Yeah, I hope, girl. No way am I giving you up,” she says, grinning, while devouring the last of her ice cream. I take her bowl and spoon, set them on my nightstand next to mine, and tackle her in a hug. We collapse to the bed, and then roll and fall on the floor in a fit of giggles.
“Girl, I’m so glad I have you. Thank you for making sure I have someone to laugh with when all I want to do is cry.”
“Oh, girl, I got you.” Ella wraps me up in a big hug, squeezing harder and harder until I squeal.
“Ah, okay, okay, I know you have me!” We both fall to the floor, lying on our backs, and remain silent for a few minutes. “Well, want to help me party plan? Or move?”
Her head slowly rolls to the side, and she groans as she makes a miserable face. “Do I have to? I want to eat ice cream all day. Periods suck!” I can’t help but laugh, because she’s right.
* * *
Well, turns out the stylist was only available Tuesday, so I had to meet everyone after I got off work at eleven-thirty. I grabbed food on the way because no way in hell am I trying on fancy dresses that will be skin-tight without having food in my belly. Not only will I be cranky and miserable, but I won’t have any room in the dress to eat that night. If I have the stomach to eat.
By the time I get there, Lily is sitting in the corner, already bored. Mom was determined to get her dress first, so she could play on her tablet the remaining time. Mom has already found her dress and was just going to get the fitting done for alterations. I walked in at the best time, it looks like.Yippee.
After about thirty minutes of perusing the store, we start with five dresses to try on. I video-call Ella since she can’t come till later.
“Strip for me, baby!”she yells into the phone.
“Oh my god, stop it! Just shhh – I’m going to get started. Rate each dress out of ten, please. If none score above an eight, I’ll go select a few more.”
“Fine,”she huffs, setting her phone on the counter at Lift, so she can watch while she’s working. The first dress was a black strapless dress with a slit up one thigh. The slit had a ruffle that ran all along the edge, which was nice. It was black, though, and even though it was New Year’s Eve, I’m not sure if I want to wear a plain black dress.“Eh, seven. I like it, but I think we can do better,”Ella chimes in through the phone.
The next two dresses are just “eh.” The first one is a gold sparkly dress with a corset top and pencil skirt, but with a cutout up the front of the skirt to allow movement. It just doesn’t fit my body and earns a “five” vote from Ella. Dress three is a cute, sparkly, black spaghetti strap dress with a plunging neckline and feathers on the miniskirt. While I love this dress, and Ella does as well, scoring it an “eight”, we both take off a point because it matches my Halloween costume just a little too closely.
Dress four is certainly closer to the mark, however, I have reservations. It is a gold, sparkly, spaghetti strap dress with a faux wrap in front. It also has a plunging neckline, and after I put on the shoes to match, I turn around to show Ella, and she goes nuts.“Holy hotness, girl. Ten. TEN!”
“Yeah, but is it too much? Maybe I should walk out and ask Mom?”
“Yeah, definitely ask her. Even though you’re hot, you don’t want to look slutty at your Mom’s party.”
“Ok, hold on.”
I slide the curtain to the dressing room open and walk out to find Mom. What I didn’t expect was all four of my guys standing there with Aaron, who is happily whispering into Mom’s neck as he holds her in his arms. The newlyweds are oblivious when I walk out, though. Only the four drop-dead gorgeous men in front of me with their mouths hanging open stare at me. Immediately, I’m uncomfortable with the amount of attention I’m getting. It’s not like Purgatory. The lights in here are blindingly bright, showing off every inch of exposed skin between my breasts and up my legs.
“Ahem, Mom?” I clear my throat to get her attention. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”
“Of course, Hun, and oh, wow! What a dress!” she exclaims, pulling herself out of Aaron’s grabby hands. He smirks as he smacks her butt, causing her to squeal. “Stop it,” she scolds him, all the while giggling like a teenager. I smile to myself, thinking love looks good on her. I’d not noticed she’d beenreally happythis whole time. As my mom approaches and I lead her back toward the dressing room, I notice the hungry looks of all the guys. Surprisingly, even Cam looks at me with a lustful gaze, if only for a moment. Dominic, though, looks ready to rip the dress off of my body. It doesn’t help my situation that I can imagine that’s exactly what he’ll try to do tonight.
“Mom, I like this dress, but Ella and I both think it might be too much. Is it?”
She looks me up and down, spins me around, and finally says, “I think you’re right. If it was just a New Year's Eve party, it would be fine. But Aaron and I are going to have our coworkers and bosses there, and I think I’d rather have something a little more classy.”
“Ok, no problem. That’s what I figured. Thanks, I’ll keep trying,” I say, giving her a hug. “Now, I have one more dress to try on before I go stalk the racks again. Go flirt with your husband.” She laughs before sliding out between the curtains. “Well,” I say, turning to my phone, “I’ll try this last one on. But I’m not hopeful.”
“Shut up, bitch. Strip down and get naked. And then put the last dress on.”
