Page 15 of Dangerous Encore

"It's so pretty. And it's custom, so no one else willhaveit."

"True." I suck in a deep breath and hold it there. I want to be able to breathe with this thingcinched.

She focuses on the lacing. I focus on myreflection.

The dress is gorgeous. It's not in any way traditional. It's black and purple. It's fat with tulle. It's sparkly and shiny and it's everything I want in my weddingdress.

This is whatIwant formywedding.

But when I think about the look on mymom'sface—

About my relatives shaking their headsshe never got over that gothphase,huh?

I exhale slowly then take another deep breath. "I probably shouldn't have done this aftercake,huh?"

"You barely touched it." Piper tugs at the lacing. "But I get it. Family is hard. There's no fucking way I'd be half as stable as you are if anyone in my family was coming to my wedding. Well, besides EthanandMal."

"You should elope if that's whatyouwant."

"Maybe. Is that good or do you want ittighter?"

Finally. I let out a heavy exhale. The bodice stays snug around my chests. "Nottighter."

"Your boobs look amazing." Piper smiles. "You look amazing. And with the hair and makeup. Oh my God, I get to see it with the hair and makeup later. We're bringing it with us,right?"

Inod.

She wipes her eye. "I'm goingtocry."

I do look amazing. Like a princess. Like a weird, goth princess, butfuckit.

I'm a weird, gothmathgeek.

This is the dress I wanttowear.

This is the look I want for mywedding.

That's the only thing thatmatters.

Even if I can't shake the weight of everyone else'sopinions.

My shoulders fall with my exhale. The other details might be wrong, but this oneisn't.

"God, Violet, if I didn't love you, I'd hate you. You're too cool. It's wrong." She pulls out her cell phone and points it at the mirror. "You mind? I won't let Ethan get his handsonit."

"No. Goahead."

She snaps a photo then slides her cell into her pocket. She motions to the podium in the center of the room. "Will you hate me if I ask you totwirl."

I laugh. "I think I'd love youevenmore."

"Then let's do it. Twirl for me, angel. Twirl. Twirl. Twirl." When I don't respond, she tilts her head sideways. "Phantom of theOpera.No?"

"No."

"You'd like it. It's dramatic and moody. I think it's playing in Chicago right now. I have to check the tour schedule to see if it lines up, but I'm sure we'll makeitwork."

Right. We always have to check everything against the tourschedule.