Page 26 of A Convenient Secret (Merged #3)

Lily

Saar

Looks like we’re all going to the fancy event together.

Celeste

I’m not sure I can leave Amelie.

Cora

Come on. I haven’t been at such a glam event for ages.

Scratch that. Ever. You have to come, Celeste.

Saar

I had stylists scheduled to come to your house @Celeste.

What are you talking about?

Celeste

Declan didn’ t tell you?

***

Saar

Jesus, one of these days I’ll strangle the man.

Cora

This chat would be admissible as evidence, you know that?

Nobody is killing anybody. Where are you going together again?

M y phone rings.

“Hey Saar. What’s going on?” I pop a grape and climb on the stool at the kitchen island.

“I can’t believe Declan didn’t fill you in. How can you live with that man? At least his kids are adorable.”

If she only knew that I not only live here, I married the man. I want to tell her just to enjoy her reaction.

“Fill me in.” I chuckle, but it comes out strangled.

I know she can’t read my thoughts, but keeping something this big from my friends? It should come easy because I’ve kept other things from them. It doesn’t come easy.

I want to pretend it’s not a big deal, but frankly, the enormity of my deal with Declan only dawned on me when my account beeped with a new balance, and he gave me a copy of our marriage certificate. What was I thinking?

The idea of bringing someone temporary into Zoya and Zach’s life was just heartbreaking. As if I wasn’t temporary. Jesus. What was I thinking?

I’m in no position to act as someone’s wife.

The night when I signed the prenup, I came close to breaking my cover. Just like with the forgotten glasses, I commented on the spreadsheet, and he questioned me again. And then he offered to do my family tree, and I bolted.

What was I thinking?

Now I’m married to the man when I’m not even able to live beside him without dropping my guard.

“There is a gala, and the boys decided to take the four of us. I mean, obviously I go with Corm, and Celeste with Cal. But Xander agreed to invite Cora, so I guess they went with it, and you are left to be Declan’s plus one.”

“How lovely.” I close my eyes. I’m going out with my new husband.

“Shit. I didn’t mean it like that. You can officially go with Xander if you want. The point is, the four of us are going to the party of the year together. The men will do their business, but we can have a lot of fun. Car is picking you up in half an hour.”

I slide down and walk to the window, like I can see the vehicle approaching from here. “What? I don’t have a dress… and I have to pick up the kids… and we can’t both leave them— ”

“Lily, chill, babe; Declan is taking care of the kids. I think Dorothy is coming over to stay with them. All I know is, I’m in charge of styling, and I sent the car to pick you up. Dress has been arranged.”

The fact that everything is arranged sounds like Declan. The not keeping me in the loop is weird, but also not unexpected from him.

“Okay.”

“Yes!” Saar cheers. “We’ll have so much fun.”

“Where is the car taking me?”

“To Celeste. Since she has separation anxiety and has to breastfeed, we will do all the preparations at her place.”

“I can walk over.”

“Or you can let me treat you like a queen. Just be downstairs in fifteen.”

We hang up, and I text Declan.

A gala you forgot to mention?

Declan

Sorry. Saar will take care of you. Mom is watching the kids. I’ll pick them up.

Annoyingly efficient as ever. Since we signed the prenup four days ago, we have been living in a new state of collaboration. Almost like we’re partners in crime, so we no longer tiptoe around each other .

It’s this weird state of co-parenting. We focus on children because none of us wants to think about the unresolved tension. Or I focus on children because, for all I know, Declan doesn’t seem interested in me anymore.

One good thing that came out of this new arrangement is that he isn’t ignoring me.

He is not exactly going out of his way to spend time with me, but the ice has melted. Which is also a new challenge because now, when I’m not mad at his abhorrent behavior, I have more time to ogle him.

This morning, I ran into him when he finished his workout, all sweaty in a tight T-shirt and workout shorts, and I think I had a micro-orgasm just from the sight. This is not going to be easy.

I either seduce him, or die from being horny.

“I wish I was going.” Mia, Celeste’s teenage stepdaughter, throws herself on her bed.

“Two more years, and I’m sure your dad will take you,” Saar says.

She rolls her eyes. “I doubt that. He will always take Celeste.”

“Then I’ll take you to the best and most fabulous event of the season.” Saar sits on the edge. She has rollers in her hair and wears a pink robe that she got for all of us, like we are a bridal party.

We’re in Mia’s room because it’s the only room available for all the things Saar had people wheel in: several racks of gowns, cases with accessories, and all the styling products.

It’s actually fun, but also unnerving. Can I go to a large event like this and avoid photographers?

“You need to shed the glasses,” Saar says. “Do you ever wear contacts?”

Can I risk it? Can I go to an event as myself? I mean, the glasses aren’t a mask, but along with the haircut and hair color, they have helped me to blend in and become invisible.

“There is no time to get you chic prescription glasses, Lils.” Celeste switches Amelie to her other breast and looks up, so the stylist can apply mascara to her lashes.

“I don’t know…” I trail my fingers over the silk and velvet of the gowns.

“But we do,” Cora offers from her seat, where someone is taming her curls into an intricate updo.

“Okay.” I sigh. “I have contacts in my purse,” I lie.

Saar claps and comes over. “This one is yours.” She pulls out a deep purple gown.

It’s stunning. Exactly my color, but when I see the sleeveless style, sweat trickles down my back. Shit. How do I get out of this one?

Saar narrows her eyes, but she hangs the dress back before picking up another one. It’s a similar color, slightly deeper purple, and I immediately love it, a smile stretching across my face.

The gown is simple, but it exudes elegance and grace.

The fitted bodice cinches at the waist, highlighting the silhouette, while the long, voluminous bishop sleeves add a touch of drama with their billowy fabric.

The flowing skirt cascades to the floor.

The off-the-shoulder neckline adds a romantic charm.

“I love it.”

Saar studies me for a moment, and then smiles like a Cheshire cat. “Interesting.”

Now it’s my turn to frown. “You don’t like it?”

“I thought the first one was perfect for you, but Declan said the long-sleeved one was more acceptable.”

Heat spreads through my skin, and I swallow several questions, trying to figure out which one I can say out loud.

“Declan chose Lily’s dress?” Cora asks one of my questions.

Saar hikes her shoulder. “The least he can do is buy her a dress. She’s been running his household and taking care of his kids. And now she has to spend her night off with him.”

“Did Xander buy my dress?” Cora asks, clearly accepting Saar’s explanation.

Saar snorts. “He’s covering the cost of the rental at least.”

“Okay, I’m ready for you.” The stylist turns to me as Celeste vacates her chair.

“You look gorgeous,” I tell my nursing friend, and sit gingerly.

“What would you like—” The stylist runs her hand through my hair.

“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 I accepted 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 unresolved present, 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.