Page 37 of Pretty Vengeance

The corner of her mouth curves into a smirk as she throws a Gucci belt over the stack of items she’s carrying.

“It would be perfect for an upcoming Briar event.”

A brilliant multi-colored scarf flutters over Ash’s arm. It’s Versace, which I adore… from afar. I’ve always wanted a Versace piece.

“If you need it, get it, Seesaw.”

Forlornly, I set the dress back on the rack. “If I emptied my bank account and sold my plasma, I’d still be about 1500 short.”

With price apparently not an object, Ash picks out an emerald green beaded flapper dress and a black-and-green lace mask.

I finger the suede inserts of a cowboy-style leather jacket. “Are you going to a costume party?”

Ash assesses theGatsbybeadwork. “It’s not strictly costume, but girls in sexy dresses and masks get in for half price. It’s an underground party, which says speakeasy to me, so I’m feeling flapper vibes.”

Pulling out her phone, she opens a text that has a sexy black-and-white image of a girl leaning against a brick wall, wearing a sleek dress and Venetian carnival mask. In block letters, the announcement reads:Let Tronex VibesRuinYou.

Admiring the pic’s erotic undercurrent, I say, “I love Tronex.”

“He’s gonna be there in person.”

My head jerks up, and I gasp. “Shut up.”

I’ve been obsessed with Tronex since I saw him at a festival before he broke out. He has one song that summarizes my whole life. I played it on repeat for two straight years.

Ash smiles and winks.

She has to be wrong. Tronex plays stadiums, not little parties in college towns. Cocking my head, I study her. “How much is it to get in?”

“Fifty is full price for girls.” She holds the dress up to the light, smiling at the beads’ kaleidoscope reflection. “A hundred for guys, I think.” With her free hand, she grabs a hanger holding a maroon satin slip dress with embellished gold crocheted trim along the plunging neckline and hem.

“Gorgeous,” I say, leaning closer. “That silk lace edging looks hand-sewn.”

Ash smiles at the dress before holding it out to me. “Here.”

The piece, while beautiful enough to stop me from longing for a Tronex fix, is also so delicate and light, I bet I could ball the whole dress up and put it in my pocket.

I take a step back, shaking my head. “I can’t wear a lingerie dress.”

“Why not?” Ash frowns at the outfit, then me. “You’d look amazing in this.” She eyes the lace top. “If you’re self-conscious, just wear a mask. No one will even know it’s you.”

“Even forgetting what my family would say if they spotted a pic of me in that, I mean I literallycan’t.” I grip my boobs. “I’d need to go braless, and unless I’m going to take up sex work, I can’t go bare under a crochet bodice.”

Ash pouts. “Why couldn’t you, Seesaw? You would slay in this.” She jostles the hanger, throwing me an imploring look. “At least try it?”

I shake my head, now thinking less of nip slips and more of the complications my going to an underground party could cause. “I wish, but no. A party where illegal stuff may happen is too risky for me. Between Briar Club and my uptight extended family…” Shrugging, I turn toward a rack of little black dresses. Still expensive but less dangerous to the strict reins I’ve held tight to all my life.

Ash’s pout purses. “Okay, no worries.” Now seemingly unconcerned, she secures its hanger back on the rack, the satin dress rippling like liquid chocolate. “Truth be told, I probably shouldn’t go either, for reasons, but there’s no way I’m gonna miss the chance to hear the new Tronex tracks before they drop.”

My head snaps in her direction again. New tracks? For that, he’dhaveto be present. “Were you serious about his being there in person?”

Acting a little too blasé to be believable, Ash fingers the feather curling over the brow of her mask. “I am. He likes to test new material live. My brother and his friends are longtime investors in Tronex’s career, so—” She flips her hand in a “there you go” gesture.

At my following silence, Ash’s smile widens.

Knowing I’m probably being played, but not caring, I step closer. “Your family is in the music business?”

Ash moves along the aisle. “Not specifically, but my brother and his partners used to throw big warehouse parties in Boston, New York, and Jersey. That’s where they met Tronex, back when he was up and coming.”