Page 33 of Seduced in Ink
She quickly changed into her dress for the evening, one that flared at the hips and made her feel like a fairy princess going out dancing. It had a thin layer of tulle under the main fabric, and it made her feel as if she were dancing in the clouds as she pranced about.
It might be ridiculous for some people to wear, but it made her feel pretty. And tonight, she was going out on a date—or rather afake date—with Aaron freaking Montgomery. So, she was going to wear what she wanted.
Maybe she should change into jeans and look casual. Or sweats. He’d seen her in sweats before. She could wear sweats.
She needed to stop thinking the wordsweats. Because now she was sweating just thinking about it.
She slid her feet into her heels, put on her jewelry and perfume, and wondered if she had been wrong putting on her sexy underwear. It was a lace thong panty set, a beautiful peach color that matched her outfit, and not something that she wore all the time. She loved wearing lace and silk, but she also liked wearing cotton underwear that covered her entire ass.
The fact that she wasn’t wearing those tonight spoke of her subconscious wondering if somebody might see what she wore under her dress. That would not be happening. Just because she and Aaron had kissed and might be kissing again later and we’re going on a date, didn’t mean that anybody would see her underwear but her.
What if she was in a car accident and they had to take off her dress to save her? Did she need to have cute underwear for that?
Maybe not sexy underwear that made her feel like a goddess. Now she was thinking far too hard. Everything was fine. Aaron wasn’t going to see her underwear, but the idea that she was wearing it in front of him? It made her feel...powerful.
Or that she was losing her mind. Either way.
I’m only doing this for myself.
She repeated that mantra as the doorbell rang. She froze, wondering if Aaron was a good forty-five minutes early for their date. Madison might be ready, but that didn’t matter. She needed the time to calm down and focus.
Her hands shook, and she didn’t know why. Tonight was just two friends pretending to be engaged. Nothing more, nothing less. And a complete lie.
She opened the door, and an odd mix of relief and disappointment filled her.
Bristol stood there with another woman that looked similar to her.
“You look amazing,” Bristol said, clapping her hands. “We’re too late to help you get ready, sorry.”
“That’s totally my fault,” the stranger said. “Traffic was horrible getting over to Boulder, but I’m here now. And you do look amazing, Madison.”
Madison blinked a few times. “I’m sorry, but who are you? And why are you here, Bristol? Not that I don’t love you, but I’m confused.”
“I’m so sorry. I seem to have started in the middle of a conversation. This is my cousin, Annabelle. Since her brother came over to Boulder last weekend to hang out with the guys, she decided to come tonight to hang out with me. I’m very blessed. AndIam here because I like to help my friends get ready for dates. Especially first dates that can be scary or weird. But it seems you’re ready to go. You really do look amazing. Your makeup is on point.”
Madison just blinked, and somehow found herself taking a step back so the two Montgomery women could walk into the house.
“I’d offer you guys something to drink, but Aaron’s going to be here soon.” She paused. “Actually, he’s going to be here in forty-five minutes. I’m done and ready to go way too early. So, how about I get you something to drink?”
“What do you have?” Annabelle asked, her eyes bright and kind.
“I just made fresh lemonade. From actual lemons.”
“The only way to make it,” Bristol said. “Not that I actually make lemonade on my own. That takes a lot of work and energy, and I’m not good at it. I always end up making it either too tart or too sweet. But yes, yes, yes, yes, lemonade.”
They made their way to the kitchen. When Madison went to open her fridge, Bristol leaned forward and grabbed the lemonade.
“Glasses are on the top right shelf,” Bristol said, and Madison just stood there blinking.
“We don’t want you to get anything on your dress. We’re here to comfort you in your time of need. Or to annoy you, whatever you want to call it,” Bristol explained.
“You are pushy, but in a nice way,” Madison corrected.
Annabelle threw her head back and laughed, and Bristol flipped her cousin off.
“I am. Did you hear what happened to Arden?”
“Something new?” Madison asked, worried about the other woman. Arden had lupus and was going through a good spell, but Madison knew from Arden’s previous experiences that it didn’t always last.