She shrugged. “I liked the black one you tried on first.”
Sadie yanked the floral patterned dress over her head—far too festive for Celeste’s country club birthday brunch—and tossed it onto the floor. If she dared wear anything other than blend-in-with-the-woodwork beige, Celeste would feel upstaged.
Snatching the black dress off the bed, Sadie slipped it over her head and tied the belt at the middle. It was low-cut and short, showcasing her large breasts and an ample amount of thigh. “I look slutty.”
“You look beautiful.”
Sadie turned from the mirror.
“And why not show Trey what he’s missing?” Crickitt suggested. God, she looked happy. Like sunshine bursting from the clouds. Sadie was happy for her…and a smidge envious. Which was an awful, awful thing to think.
“Trey doesn’t even see me when Celeste is around.” Not that she wanted him to. Sadie was over him with a capital O-V-E-R. But her best friend knew her well, and because it stung to be discarded in favor of someone else, Sadie did kinda want to rub in the fact that she still had it. Just a little.
She strode to the bed, where jewelry was spread across her comforter. “Which one?”
Crickitt handed her a chunky, clear beaded necklace and bracelet. “These.”
Sadie clasped the lobster-claw enclosure at the back of her neck and slid the bracelet onto her wrist. “When does the contractor come?”
“Two.”
“When can we swim in it?”
Crickitt twisted her lips. “He’s just there to do measurements. Then they have to enclose the room, dig a hole, fill it with water…probably not until late fall.”
“You poor dear. Can’t you throw another million at him and demand to have your indoor, heated pool by morning?”
Crickitt laughed, pushing herself off Sadie’s bed. “I should try. Grease the wheels a bit.”
Sadie faced the mirror again, swiped clear gloss over her lips, and smoothed her sleek ponytail for the umpteenth time. “There,” she said, turning to Crickitt. “Do I look put together? Like nothing either of them say or do could break through my CoverGirl foundation?”
“You’ll be great.” Crickitt gave her a one-armed hug and gathered her purse. “I’m off to bribe a contractor,” she called as she headed down the stairs.
With Crickitt gone, Sadie’s smile faded. If Sadie hadn’t answered her mother’s jolting early morning phone call, maybe she could’ve avoided this entire scenario today.
She could have slept in and continued the delicious dream she’d had about Aiden. One where he did all the things she wished he would have last night. Right there in Axle’s store. On the countertop. Against the display stands.
She focused on her reflection, on the rogue glint in her eye, and blinked. There was the saucy, confident person she knew and loved. Funny how her mother, with a phone call, with one pointed barb, had managed to snuff out Sadie’s self-assuredness. She sneered as her mother’s words drifted back to mind.
Darling, do try and behave yourself where Trey is concerned.
Behave herself? Sadie always behaved herself where Trey was concerned. She was surprised she didn’t resemble a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day float after all the pride she’d had to swallow. She had friends who wrote off siblings for smaller crimes than fiancé stealing. Not that anyone in her bloodline gave her credit for taking the high road.
Sadie grabbed her purse and keys. She’d better get going if she hoped to find Celeste’s gift (one-hundred-dollar limit so graciously set by Celeste herself), and get to Meyer Inn Country Club with enough time to down a glass of champagne before everyone arrived.
* * *
Sadie was late.
While shopping for Celeste’s favorite perfume, Sadie had been sidetracked. She stepped out of her car and smiled down at her new black and ivory peep-toed heels, complete with Swarovski crystals along the toes. The store didn’t have her size, so she had to drive across town to another location to pick them up. Sadie slung her new Kate Spade bag over her shoulder—hey, a girl had to accessorize—and walked, head held high, Celeste’s gift bag dangling from her finger.
Looking fabulous was half the battle won. The shoes were nonnegotiable.
Trey had brought Sadie to Meyer Inn countless times when they were dating. Usually to meet his parents for some pithy meal or another. For a passing second, she considered calling and asking Aiden to play her fiancé again. He’d done a stellar job at Rick’s party, and she’d like to see Trey’s face when she walked in with someone handsome and confident on her arm. In the end, she opted out. Not only would she have to deal with the aftermath of the countertop kiss, but she’d also have to deal with Celeste pouting over her birthday thunder being stolen. And Sadie introducing Aiden to her family would cause a severe thunderstorm.