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Thin spaghetti straps crossing at the back and a V-shaped neckline snatched my interest, but it was the way it felt in my hands that made me pause, like liquid metal or silky water—almost weightless.

Another buzz against the pale pink pouf by the ornate mirror kicked up my pulse again, but I didn’t stop to check. I pulled the dress over my head and smothered a gasp. It clung to my curves, hugging me in all the right places without making me self-conscious, before dropping to the ground.

The pendant shimmered below the hollow of my throat as I fiddled with it, before I snatched my phone up, fighting the urge to snap a picture and send it his way. I took one for myself anyway.

J: I’m watching a movie.

And you could definitely rock that xx

The tall mirror showed a woman biting her lip and blushing like a teenager, before I whirled around and stepped out again.

“No!” Pri clasped her hands to her mouth, the sparkle back in her eyes.

“I know!” I grinned, watching the warm light play on the shimmer as I spun, feeling like a princess, right before a bucketful of ice tipped over my head. I hadn’t checked the price tag, didn’t think my blood pressure could handle it.

I peered down at her, lashes shuttering my thoughts, but she must have seen the worry in my face.

“No. Don’t even think—”

My phone buzzed on the table, bringing her eyes down and distracting her mid-sermon.

I yanked it up and shoved it in my bag, cheeks warm.

“The mystery man again?” Her mouth curled into a Cheshire cat slit as she took a slow, torturous sip in which her gaze didn’t let mine go.

For a rosy-faced woman in a black cashmere sweater and a patchwork, vintage woollen skirt, it was remarkable how much she resembled a tiger.

“Mhm,” I hummed, face bypassing pink and turning scarlet, eyes skittering away from hers as I shuffled back to change into my clothes.

She’d seen the bruise on my neck, much as I’d tried to hide it. And even if I’d managed to, she’d never have bought my reactions as casual—not when my cheeks burned, not when I was prone to letting out little squeaks each time his initial popped up on the screen.

So, I’d told her I’d met someone, with a gut-twisting sensation that kicked waves of nausea up my throat.

Lying to Liam was horrible, but lying to Pri was the absolute worst.

I wasn’t quite ready to bring it to light, though—whatever was happening between Josh and me. And a small, wicked part of me enjoyed sneaking around.

A sliver of heat slid down my spine as the library flashed through my mind.

God, what am I doing?

Unbidden, my hand darted into my bag for my phone.

J: You’d better not be out looking too good ;)

My heart gave a startled little flip, before I shoved the phone back inside like it had bitten me and stepped out, dressed in my chocolate brown knit dress, tights, and boots, hair pinned up so it wouldn’t plaster to my damp neck.

The dazzling shop assistants in tailored black satin uniforms collected the racks from me with a smile and an elegant, dismissive wave of their hands when I offered to help.

Adjusting my sleeves more than necessary, I padded after Pri, who handled everything with the grace of someone who knew these shops like the back of her hand—the type where they greeted you warmly at the door, where everything was curated, with plenty of space to peruse instead of crammed aisles, tasteful art on the walls, and a subtle scent of orchid and amber trailing your every step.

The kind of place I would’ve never even glanced at.

The colourful whirlwind that was Pri showed teeth at the counter, where I dug my heels in to pay, despite the sum that drained the colour from my cheeks. She tipped her head back and laughed, which only made me bristle harder.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Mia. I dragged you here. Just say thank you.” She grinned, waved my card away with an impatient gesture, and pulled out a matte black one.

I shifted on my feet, biting down on the nausea crawling up my throat. Charity. Every fibre of my being recoiled against it. I reached out and grabbed her wrist.