Page 80 of A Convenient Secret

“The cut is horrendous, but if we fix that it will be too short again. Why don’t you do a sleek-back style?” Saar jumps in with suggestions, both her hands pulling my hair away from my face.

“That’s a good idea; that way, we can smooth out the uneven parts. I would recommend natural makeup because the dress and the hair would be a statement, and we don’t want to overdo it.”

“Yes, let’s keep it simple,” I say quickly. I don’t want to make a statement. I want to blend in.

“Just trust me.” The woman smiles at me.

The murmur of the chitchat fades into the background as I get prepped and pampered. I want to relax into the fun of it all, but my mind is spinning.

Declan buying my dress is one thing, and even if Iaccepted Saar’s explanation, there still lies another question. He bought a dress with sleeves for me. How does he know?

The other night my cardigan slipped a bit, but I covered myself fast enough. Is it just his observation skills? Because I’m wearing long sleeves, he assumed that’s my style?

“Lils? What do you say?” Cora’s voice penetrates my reeling mind.

The stylist steps to the side, so I can peer over to where my friend stands. Cora’s ginger hair is tamed into intricate braids, and she is wearing a black dress that suits her like a second skin. “You look… Wow, just wow.”

“This beauty is wasted in your bistro.” Saar hands her a glass of bubbly and then offers me one.

“I’ll have a sip, too, but don’t tell Cal.” Celeste bounces Amelie and takes a sip from Saar’s drink.

“You know what I realized?” Cora says. “We’ve been out clubbing, but never with all of us. This is the first time we’re going out together. And in style.” She shimmies.

We all raise our glasses and drink. This is as normal as my life has gotten in the last year. I’m surrounded by women who love me and bring joy to my life.

I’m going to allow myself to have fun tonight. I’m not going to let my complicated past or my unresolvedpresent, including my infuriating fake husband, rule me for a few hours.

“You keep this for retouches during the night.” The stylist hands me a tube of lipstick.

“Okay, Lils, let me help you into this gown.” Saar lays the purple dress on the bed. “I forgot to tell you to bring a strapless bra, damn it.”

“It’s okay, I’ll go bra-less.”

I hadn’t even realized that Mia left with Amelie. The stylists are packing up and ready to leave, and my three friends, dressed and dolled up to the nines, are all staring at me. Expecting me to strip and put on my dress.

“Lils, the men are waiting downstairs already.” Saar opens the door so everyone but us can file out.

My heart hammers and my cheeks burn as I look at the gown. Earlier, I donned the robe while I was in the bathroom, but how would I explain dragging the gown in there?

“Do you need some privacy?” Celeste takes my hand. “You can get dressed in the closet.” She picks up my dress and hangs it in the walk-in just as the last rack of gowns disappears. She closes the door gently, and I exhale the breath I was holding.

I hurry to put the gown on, and when I step out of the closet, all three of my friends gasp. I straighten the skirt, feeling self-conscious.

I used to play dress-up with my friends, spending all Saturdays roaming the stores and getting fitted for dresses. Where is that carefree girl now?

I banish the melancholy quickly. I didn’t get this far to get homesick.

Twirling, I laugh. “Let’s get this party started.”

Caleb and Celeste’s penthouse has the design of a loft, both levels overlooking Central Park, connected by a glass staircase.

“Oh my, it looks like a James Bond convention.” Saar smirks.

The four men, founders of Merged, stand downstairs. Dressed in tuxedos, they are all handsome in their own way. Unlike our lively chitchat upstairs, each of them is on the phone.

Caleb types furiously, sitting on the sofa. Xander is leaning against the backrest beside him, his gaze buried in his device.

Corm is talking on the phone in one corner by the windows, and Declan is swiping his screen by the staircase.