The whininess in her voice disappearing and is replaced with a sound that makes my ears ring. Pulling the phone away at her squeals of excitement. “If we have time, we could look for your dress?”
“Don’t push it,” I warn. Deflating a hushed breath into my phone. “You better not make me regret this.”
“See you in a bit,” she says, hanging up with too much giddiness.
I regret my decision. We have been here for three hours.
I repeat.Three. Hours.
I didn’t even know it was possible to spend so much time trying to find the right accessories. Underestimating Hailey’s shopping abilities. The girl was crazy. Fixating over every little thing. I was going insane.
Comatose, dead to the world,insane.
If I had to look at one more necklace or bracelet or matching sets of earrings, I was going to explode.
After watching her and the jeweler talk for an hour, I walked away. My survival instincts kicking in. I needed to escape, or I was going to die in a very unimpressive way.
Boredom.
I scanned the other cases for a while. Picking up my book bag and hoisting it over my shoulder, hopeful Hailey would get the hint. I was ready to leave but no such luck.
That or she was ignoring my very obvious, very not-so-subtle hints. Letting out a sigh having narrowed it down between two matching sets.Finally.
“Should I go with the pear-shaped teardrop dangles or the more classic pearl halo studs?” Hailey asks, looking to me for an answer.
She clicks her tongue when I give her a confused expression.
“You think Rory is the best judge when she doesn’t know the difference between platinum and cubic zirconium?” Madison’s brashness making an impromptu welcome.
Hailey makes a strange gurgling sound in her throat. Madison looks down, giving the items an unapproving peek.
I swear if Madison makes me stay here any longer because of her perpetuate attitude I was going to deck her.
Linking her arm with mine, Hailey huffs. “I thought I heard a gnat buzzing around.”
My chest swells with pride. That’s my girl. Standing up for herself.
“Annoying little pests, aren’t they?” Hyping her up.
Madison squared her pointed nose toward the air, staring us down. Her lip turns up in satisfaction at the last second when Hailey winces. Not used to handling the scrutinizing gaze of a villain.
Too bad for Madison, I was well versed.
“You should go with the studs,” Madison quips. Pulling out a tube of red lipstick, applying it in the mirror. “Pearls suit someone so…innocent.”
Hailey looks down, embarrassed. The tips of her ears turn pink.
Puckering her lips, a small malicious smirk crosses Madison’s face. “Some guys are into virgins,” she says softly, patronizing.
My eyes blazed. That tube of lipstick was about to be shoved down her throat. How dare she belittle her for something so callous. It was none of Madison’s business if Hailey was a virgin or not.
“Not Cole. He loves them wild.” She smirks, leveling her gaze at me. A swirl of emotions crossing her eyes. The most prominent one, spite.
Her pointed dig, affecting me more than it should. I ground my teeth together.
“Screams easy to me,” I concede flatly. “A text away, aren’t you?”
She runs her tongue along her teeth. Covering her resentment with ugliness and empty ridicule. “When he can’t keep his hands off me, why would I?” She shrugs, pleased with herself.