Page 95 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

Rory emerges from behind a folding screen wearing deep sapphire velvet that perfectly cups her baby bump.

Everyone gasps.

She bows dramatically. “That’s the correct reaction, my subjects.”

We laugh and then get to enjoy Marie twirling in a silver gown and Chrissy curtseying in a soft pink number.

And Briar looking ethereal in an ivory slip dress, her headpiece transforming her into an elven queen.

And me?

I’m standing in front of the mirror wearing the deep emerald silk gown I first tried on, knowing it’s perfect.

It hugs my body like it was made for me.

Not because it makes me look different.

But because I look…like me.

The realization catches me off guard.

Briar appears beside me in the mirror, twists my hair up into a jeweled clip. “That’s the one.”

I smooth nervous fingers across the skirt. “You think so?”

“It’s definitely the one,” Marie says.

“Absolutely,” Chrissy adds.

“You look stunning,” Tiff murmurs.

“And hot as fuck,” Rory chimes in.

Smiling, I turn in the mirror to look at the back then spin forward again, and…I know they’re right. This dress feels like something a fantasy heroine would wear before her dashing prince comes in and?—

I slam the door on those dangerous thoughts.

“What is it?” Briar asks softly.

I stare at my reflection.

At the emerald dress.

At the woman looking back.

Then quietly admit, “I always thought fantasy was safer than real life.”

“Considering what’s happening with the Lyons,” Rory quips, “I don’t think you’re wrong to think exactly that.”

Tiff swats at her. “Hush.”

“I just…” I clear my throat. “Now I know that was about me hiding from my life. I…” I sigh. “Thank you guys for showing me that I can have the fantasy outside of fiction.”

The room goes quiet.

Then Rory sniffs. “Dammit! You’re going to make me cry.”

Chrissy wipes her eyes.