Page 4 of Starfall (Stand Alone Tales #20)

E mery looked at the collection of dresses and muttered, I just need one.

You have to try on a minimum of five. A few of these are just for fun, but they should be interesting to see on you. Gabi grinned.

Merwin smiled. She s been hoping that someone who doesn t mind cosplay with their formalwear would show up. And here you are.

Emery eyed them suspiciously. Well, that does sound like me.

Gabi finished loading a rack with options and pulled it slowly to the back. Come on, Emery. Let s get you naked.

Rowen grinned. I ll get you something to drink.

Emery followed Gabi to a changing area with a raised stage and a lot of mirrors. He s very at home.

Gabi chuckled. He brought all his sisters here for their prom dresses, two for their bridesmaid dresses, one of those who picked out a wedding gown that our seamstress designed. We have a lot of family, so we are always busy.

So, it seems.

Gabi ushered her into a changing area and brought a dress in. The fitting had begun.

It took two hours to get into something that Gabi would authorize. Whatever she stepped out in made Rowen s eyes shine. Merwin came back occasionally to offer a critique, but Emery just had one comment. How do you have so much stuff in my size?

Gabi chuckled. Merwin is magic with textiles. I am better with people.

Rowen came around the corner with a bottle of water, and the sudden geyser that shot upward from his hand indicated that the corseted dress might have been a winner.

Gabi snorted, and Emery grinned. I don t think it will fit you, but if you are enthusiastic about it, you are welcome to put it on.

He whispered, No, I think it looks fine on you.

The bronze corset went over a dress that had wispy panels of fabric that floated as she turned, stepped, or lifted her arms. Keeping the sleeves out of the corset had been the worst part. She wore all the colours of fall, and her hair was in a black, red, and gold curtain to the middle of her back.

She chuckled. Second date, huh?

I aim to please. You look... wow. Rowen was staring.

Gabi chuckled. You have the posture of someone who likes corsets, Emmy, and definitely the figure for it.

She started to fidget. Yeah, well, I saw the tag, and that isn t going to fly. I spend that much on supplies, not on clothes for a body I rarely spend time in.

Gabi looked at her with narrow eyes. It is a gift from the family.

Absolutely not.

Rowen walked up to her and took her hands. Please, please, please.

Gabi sighed. I owe you.

You don t. She turned her head and looked at her friend.

I do. You made my life fun again. I had forgotten what it was like just to have people want to hang around me for my filthy mouth and wicked brain.

Well, you did know all the swear words. Emery wrinkled her nose.

Gabi smiled. Come on. Take the dress. I will consider it advertising for the shop as we are definitely going to get some business off this.

Merwin smiled. I had no idea what that dress would be used for, but it looks so perfect on you.

Right. What about shoes?

Merwin grinned and darted off into the shop. She emerged with two long tubes with deadly heels. You seem like a boot gal.

I am, but... Rowen, I need my hands.

He sighed. I was hoping you wouldn t notice.

Of course. No one would notice someone your size dangling from their hands like a bracelet charm.

He smiled and kissed her knuckles before letting her go.

The boots were rich brown and had four-inch heels. I don t need to be taller.

Gabi chuckled. It might come in handy.

Emery frowned. Why?

Rowen had moved to lean against a wall and pointed at himself.

Oh. Yeah, this would increase elevation. She bent and put the boots on, straightening slowly.

She was close to six and a half feet tall, which still put her at eight inches shorter than Rowen.

Gabi whistled. Yeah, that will do. We just need to get you to the salon while Rowen changes into his eveningwear, and you are ready for the party. It starts before sundown and goes until dawn, so we need to be there by four thirty.

What time is it?

Merwin smiled. Three. I have called the salon, and it is a quick walk next door, so we are going to get you on your way.

Dressed like this?

Gabi smiled. Of course not. Ladies of my court get a cloak.

Rowen asked a good question. Can you move around on those heels?

I can. Not a problem.

She stepped toward him and twirled. See?

He nodded. Trust me, I am watching.

Emery looked to Gabi and Merwin. Thank you for the dress.

Gabi smiled. Our pleasure.

Merwin nodded. Yeah, I owe you for my attitude when you were just trying to be friends with my sister.

I wasn t trying. I succeeded.

Gabi snorted. You did, indeed. So, you mentioned another form?

Yeah. I am all small and normal-sized. Hair is lighter, and everything is curvier. She shrugged.

Gabi squinted and then gasped. The diner! I knew I had seen someone who reminded me of you. We had a different server, but I saw you moving around the other side of the restaurant.

Yeah. That was me.

Merwin blinked. Seriously? Can you shift now?

No. I am stuck right now. I have been trying to shift back all day, but I overexerted myself last night and don t have the necessary juice to cram myself into the smaller form. This is my natural one.

Gabi nodded. It definitely is.

Merwin got a cloak off a rack and touched it, shaping it. Emery understood that she was tailoring it by touch.

Emery crouched so Merwin could put it on her shoulders, and then, she settled it, wrapping it and fastening the closure. She smiled. Thank you again. Now, where am I supposed to go?

Gabi grinned. I will walk you there. It s in this building, but we don t connect.

Which cousin is it this time?

Rowen said, It s my sister s place. Levelle s place.

Oh. I haven t met her.

Yes, this will be interesting. Do you promise to stay at the salon until I pick you up?

She lifted her hand with a pinkie up. Pinkie promise.

He locked fingers with her and kissed her quickly. I will be back as soon as I can.

Emery unlocked her finger. Sneaky. Go get changed into something pretty.

Rowen grinned and nodded, leaving the shop in long strides.

Gabi got her walking stick and didn t stop her grin. Looks like your season is autumn.

Shut up, my queen.

They walked out and around the building to a separate entrance. A woman, who had the tawny skin and dark hair that Emery associated with Rowen, approached them. Okay, Cuz. Who is this?

This is my friend Emery and also Rowen s friend Emery. Gabi chuckled. She needs her face done.

I can do that. Can I see what you are wearing?

Emery blinked and opened the cloak on her right side so the dress was visible.

Cool. Full glam it is.

Levelle walked her to a chair and wrapped a cape over her cloak. Her skin was prepped a few minutes later, and Rowen s sister got to work. So, how do you know Gabi?

Emery said, We went to school together when she was a wheeled warrior.

Gabi smiled. We were friends. She was one of two but definitely the ringleader. It was so nice to have a friend that wasn t family.

You didn t bring her over for anything.

Gabi glanced at Emery. She couldn t go out after school.

Emery said, I was in the foster care system. My social life wasn t under my control.

Levelle paused. Oh. I am sorry. No family?

None that acknowledged me and definitely none that wanted to have me in their home. My mother passed after she had me, and I was the product of an assault, so her family didn t want anything to do with me.

Levelle paused. You know all that?

Sure. It s in my file, and my mother s parents told me all about it when they met me in court to stop me from being adopted for the fourth time. I believe I was six by then. I had to look into what their words meant and figure things out later. Boy, was my teacher surprised when I wrote the report on what I researched during my vacation. The other kids all had to go into therapy, and the court system sued my mother s family for assaulting a child and threatening to kill me. They put that on their social media. They stated that they wanted me dead and knew where I had been placed. It was enough to keep us from communicating and get them a fine.

Levelle sat back and blinked.

Gabi whispered, I had no idea.

Well, I have never lived with or even really talked to them, so they are just barriers to my happiness. She shrugged. Well, not anymore. I have fun luck.

Gabi sighed. Well, you are here and generally cheerful. Also, Rowen looks at you like he has just woken up in heaven.

Levelle brushed blush on her cheeks. You do seem familiar.

Yeah, that s what he says.

You aren t... oh, wow. He found you. Levelle stared. I thought he was nuts.

He is a bit. He charges into my diner and yells motivational speeches at his clients as they cheat with cinnamon buns.

The artist paused. Wait. That s your place? He s mentioned a little crabby owner.

That is also me, but I am currently stuck in this shape. She shrugged. I don t have any clothes for this form.

Which is your normal form?

Gabi smiled. This one is. This is the one she had as a child.

What is your other form?

Emery pulled out her phone and brought up a selfie in a mirror. She had done a fit check, and she showed Levelle.

Oh. That must have driven him nuts.

What? In what way?

Oh, he likes curves... a lot. Levelle smiled. But he has never been serious about anyone.

Ah. Right. She tried not to think about it.

How about you? What s your type?

Emery blinked. Oh. Um. Not a clue. Haven t given it much thought.

Gabi frowned. Levelle, don t talk about that. She and Rowen are adorable together. He s constantly taking chances to touch and kiss her, and she lets him wrap his arms around her. That s huge. She hates being touched.

Emery blinked. She didn t hate being touched. She just didn t trust touching.

So, Emery, how did Rowen find you?

Winter called him. I was walking home after doing... something... and was covered in something, so I turned down his offer to drive me home. We walked and talked.

Why were you hanging with Winter?

I am a friend of his new girlfriend, Orla.

Gabi grinned. Really?

Really. She s doing well.

What s she doing?

Oh, she s working at a custom furniture company as a saleswoman, but I think she is about to get a bump to management.

Gabi looked cheerful. She is going to be at the party?

Yes. She and Hunter are a thing now, and they have a puppy, so I think it is a settled thing.

Gabi grinned. Good. She was always so friendly.

Emery nodded. She still is.

Emery had to remain quiet as the lip stain was applied, and the gloss went on a few minutes later.

Levelle smiled. Lovely. The hair will be simple as you are not trying to show anything off.

No. That isn t really my wheelhouse. I am usually fairly direct no matter which form.

Levelle moved behind her and started brushing her hair. The twists and weaving were quick with a minimum of pins, and a curling iron kept everything else moving together.

Gabi smiled. You look lovely. I will see you later tonight.

You aren t coming now?

No. We need to get dressed and ready, and only the seasons need to be there by sunset. That means you as Rowen s date.

Right. She stood up and glanced toward the door. Will he come here?

Yes, and I have to stay with you until he shows up. Gabi chuckled.

Why?

I believe he thinks you will run.

Well, he is perceptive. She settled in her cloak and fidgeted.

Gabi sighed. He s a really good guy, Emery.

Emery looked at her in surprise. I know that. I just think that we aren t a particularly good match.

Gabi paused and said, Oh. Our family will greet you with open arms, and we are a huge family, so that is a lot of arms.

Emery nodded. Okay.

Emmy, Rowen attracts women easily, but he has been looking for someone like you.

Levelle was tidying her station and sanitizing makeup. He has been looking for her specifically. She s his sketch model.

Gabi blinked. I thought you hadn t met him before.

I hadn t. Not like this. He said he was given the image of me when he was worried he would be alone.

Gabi gasped. Oh. That s...

Levelle snorted. So, he started sketching every part of her that had been shown to him. He saw a lot.

Emery was nervous. Like what?

I don t know, but he has a collection of sketches, so he sees what he s seen.

Gabi glanced out the window. He s here. See you later, Emery. I am so glad he brought you to the shop today. We have to reconnect and go for coffee.

When I can get back into my other self, you can meet me at the diner. I can take as much time as I like.

Gabi smiled. Throw in unlimited coffee, and I will be there.

Of course. I mainline it most days myself. She smiled. Why is he coming in?

Because our family is old-fashioned, and he is going to escort you to your car. Haven t you ever had an old-fashioned date? Gabi chuckled.

I don t date. It s complicated. She shrugged and looked at the door as Rowen came in with his hair slicked back, his eyes bright, and he found her the moment he scanned the room.

Oh, wow, Emery. Every beautiful feature has been enhanced so it cannot be forgotten.

She blushed.

Levelle, you did a wonderful job. Gabi, you, too. We will see you both later. We have to get there before the Yule log is set ablaze. He held his hand out, and Emery walked over, acting on instinct.

She fidgeted as he kissed her knuckles and then wrapped an arm around her. They left the salon, and he walked her to his car. This is different.

Fancy car for fancy events. I am just going to tuck you in, and we will be on our way.

He followed his word, and she couldn t stop staring at the tux he was wearing. She pulled the cloak around her as he tucked her in, and then, she had to put her arms out of it to buckle herself in. She sat with her hands in her lap as he came around and settled behind the wheel. You look wonderful, but I think you are gorgeous sweaty and without a shower.

Thank you. The tux looks good on you.

He grinned. Thank you. I have to go to a surprising number of events in a year. It was sensible just to buy one.

She had a thousand thoughts, most of which involved him in that suit and her in very little. Her cheeks were hot as he drove. It would be presumptuous of her to think that it was in her future, but she liked the thought of it.

He drove over the bridge that still showed the mark from where Orla had driven through the guard rail and into the river. He turned right instead of left toward the ogre s house, and she exhaled slowly.

The glowing lights in the trees lit the path to Winter s home. Hunter was outside, supervising the last of the arrangements, and Orla was next to him, wearing a white fur cloak with a snowy puppy in her arms.

That is one large puppy.

Emery chuckled. Yeah, but he showed up when Orla needed him, so I sent him over from the rescue.

You sent him over?

Sure. The pet rescue is one of the businesses I own, and there is a strangely large percentage of magical creatures who arrive at our doors.

They pulled into a marked parking spot, and he turned off the engine. He looked at her. What would you pick for me?

She looked at him. I have a jackalope that requires a specific home.

His grin said it all. Just tell me what he needs, and I will get it together.

Emery nodded. I will make you a list.

He laughed and got out of the car, walking around to help her out. They walked toward Orla, Hunter, and Snowball. They had about an hour before the sun set and the party started. Time to finish getting organized.