Page 97 of Bitter Heat

“Ari,” Dai said in a no-nonsense tone. “It’s Daiyu. Uh-huh. Yeah. Tell me why your sister is here by herself trying on wedding gowns. Of course, it’s my gown! Where are you? At work? You need to take a break. You need to see this, and I want the lowdown on what the heck is going on with Jas and Roth since she’s being stingy and not telling me shit. Okay, see ya.”

When Dai offered the phone, she grabbed it and saw that Ariana had hung up. “She’s coming?”

“Of course, she is. Her sister’s getting married. She won’t want to miss this, especially since the second time’s a charm, right?”

She grit her teeth. “I want to see another dress.”

“You’re not getting one,” Dai said crisply. “Now, tell me everything.”

“About what?”

Dai looked up with three pins in her mouth. “If you don’t start talking, I’m gonna stab you with one of these.”

This was hell. She didn’t want to discuss her and Roth. Therewasno her and Roth, and when it was over, she would look like an ass for making the same mistake twice. But she couldn’t let anyone catch on that she was selling her body so…

“We never got over each other.” She grimaced at herself in the mirror and was glad when everyone remained focused on the dress and not her.

“I heard that for myself,” Dai muttered. “So he chases you down yesterday and fucks you in the dressing room and proposes?”

That sounded insane but what else could she say? “Yeah.”

“And now you’re getting married by the end of the month?”

“Yeah.”

“What does your family think?” Dai asked as she measured her bust.

“They’re willing to give him a chance.”

“Times have changed,” Dai said sardonically.

“Yes. This needs to be kept under wraps. We’re keeping everything quiet for now.”

“Sure.”

Dai’s easy agreement was extremely suspicious. “I’m serious, Dai.”

“And I said fine.”

She watched Dai in the mirror as the smaller woman moved around her. “How many people did you call after I left yesterday?”

Dai gave her a salacious smile. “Just a few of my besties.”

Dai’s “besties” could be anyone. She wanted to ask but decided it was best that she didn’t know. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else.”

“I heard you. What do you think I am?”

“One of the biggest gossips on the planet.”

“I’m offended,” Dai said, sounding anything but.

Ariana arrived shortly after. She pushed through the curtains to the dressing room and stopped dead. Jasmine’s heart sank as Ariana raised her hands to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, my gosh. You’re beautiful,” Ariana breathed.

“See?” Dai said snidely.

She did see, and she didn’t like it. “I want something simpler. Roth wants to have it at Tuxedo Park. This is too much.”

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