Page 206 of Wicked Brutal

“I have standards.”

“Even better.”

Bella sighs. But she steps closer. She looks at the dress. “No.”

Penny throws both hands up. “What the fuck?”

“The waist is wrong.”

Becca looks unbearably pleased with herself. “Thank you.”

Bella scrolls. Stops. “No.” Again. “No.” Again. “Absolutely the fuck not.”

Cat starts laughing. Penny looks at me. “Why is this happening to me?”

Bella hands the phone back. “You’re shopping wrong.”

Penny stares at her. “We’ve been doing this for fifteen minutes.”

“And somehow you’ve accomplished nothing.”

“You’re welcome to leave.”

Becca taps the table. “What would you put her in?”

Bella looks at me. Not at my stomach. Thank God. Just me. Her eyes move over my sweater, my hair, my face. Not in the weird way Victor looks at me. Assessing. “Depends. What do you want to show?”

I blink. “What?”

“Skin.”

“Oh.”

“Legs? Back? Chest?”

“I…”

I don’t know. Which apparently shows. Bella’s expression changes.

“What are you comfortable showing?”

Nobody says anything. Because that’s different. Not what my father would allow. Not what Victor would approve. Not what would be appropriate. What am I comfortable showing?

“I don’t know.”

Bella shrugs. “Then figure that out before you pick a dress.”

Simple. Like it’s obvious. Like the answer should belong to me. She turns to leave.

Becca stops her again. “Okay, but nothing too fitted.”

Bella looks back. “Why?”

My heart stops. Penny’s eyes flick toward me. Cat suddenly becomes very interested in a book.

Becca doesn’t even blink. “Roman, duh.”

Bella’s expression changes instantly. Not confusion. Understanding. “Ah.” Bella looks at me again. “Then don’t buy anything off the rack.”