od. Rich, buttery, tempting... a
from my bedroom, voice hoarse fro
light but determined. "Go and freshen up, we
't want to go anywhere. Not today. Not anywhere. I just want... sl
ootsteps approaching. "Go fre
f my hotel room. My dress from last night was draped over the chair, still crumpled, my heels tucked beneath the TV stan
r: pale skin, mascara smudged under tired eyes, lips a dark mix of black and crimson from alcohol and anger. My ha
to the air like a protective cocoon. I tested it with my fingers, too hot
ound me, sinking into my bones, and for the first time since the church, I felt the tension in my shoulders begin to lo
the door broke t
ng sharp. Then a soft gas
she tapped my shoulder. "Wake
eks flushed from the heat. Iris stared, shocked, hands co
awake. "It...
slightly, the bathroom steamed like a cloud of comfort. I added a light spritz of cologne, wanting
ris announced, snappin
, searching for something to w
ark dress on my body. "That dickhead Rowan lost the beauty goddess
the outfit, adjusting folds, smoothing lines, making sure I looked
she said suddenly, dashing toward
shing my hair slightly, still damp from the tub. Iris turned, opening her arms for me. "You're going
to her warmth, letting the y
sses dark against the sun and the paparazzi lenses waiting out
ully polished exterior
n as Iris chatted softly about nothing and everything, I c
new I was begi
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