Page 39 of Crazy Rich Cajuns

“Oh, he knows that,” Kennedy said, still standing by the door, but not sure if it was because she was hoping that Maria would be on her way right back out or because Kennedy wanted to have a clear escape path.For some reason.“He’s been to a few of those parties in Autre.”

Maria pulled one of the dresses out and held it up.

It was beautiful.The color was a dusty rose, the material a light and filmy fabric, overlaid with lace.The sleeves would come to her wrists, but they were blousy and loose and would move almost like wings if she gestured too exuberantly.The waist was cinched, and the skirt flowed to a high-low hem that would show her ankles, but would cover most of her legs.

It didn’t take a PhD from whatever schools people around here went to to realize that Maria had chosen a style that would cover most of Kennedy’s tattoo.People might catch a glimpse at the ankle if her skirt swirled just right.They’d see the one on her hand, wrist, and forearm, but the ink was less prominent there anyway, and damned if the dress color didn’t also go with the pale pink hue of the roses in the tattoo.

Maria was good.And not incredibly subtle.

“Honestly, there’s not a single event in Autre that I’d show up to in that dress.”

“How about a wedding?”

Kennedy realized she’d come forward when she reached out to touch the silky, soft material of the dress.She shook her head.“Nope.”

“That’s too bad.Dressing up can be fun,” Maria said.

That’s what Kennedy had thought as a little girl, dressing up for pageants.She met the other woman’s eyes.“We’re just pretty down-to-earth, what-you-see-is-what-you-get people, I guess.”

Maria nodded.“Try it on.”She held the dress out.

Kennedy realized she didn’t have much choice.Maria had clearly picked this dress out specifically.Kennedy was on her turf.This was her house, her party.Kennedy wasn’t going to give her a hard time.At least, not if she could control it.Sometimes things came out of her mouth, or showed in her expressions, before she got them tamped down.But she’d try.

She took the dress and headed for the bathroom.

“Oh, you can change right over there.”

Kennedy looked back.Maria was pointing to the corner of the room.There was a three-paneled screen near the wardrobe.Of course.Changing clothes in the same room with her…what was Bennett?Her boyfriend?Not really.Her boss.Yes.Her friend?Okay, maybe.Her weekend fling.She definitely hoped so…Anyway,changing in the same room with his mom was awkward.But whatever.

Kennedy slipped behind the screen and started unlacing her boots.There was a little part of her that wanted to try the dress on.What could she say?She liked girlie stuff.She loved her makeup and jewelry and clothes.Now she used them to make a statement about how she didn’t really care what people thought and approved of.But that was part of what she loved about it all—the ability to express things that were easier seen than heard sometimes, to make an impression, to make people take a second look.

“I hope you understand about the seating arrangement at dinner tonight.”

“The seating arrangement?”Kennedy asked, pulling her second boot off.

“I have you seated with my family.They live in Florida now but they’re from Louisiana originally.I thought you might be more comfortable.”

Kennedy frowned, but said, “Yeah, Bennett told me about the whole lottery thing and all.Cool that y’all have Cajun roots.”

“He did?”Maria didn’t sound particularly thrilled that Kennedy knew about her family’s money.“Well, yes, it’s been a while since they lived there, but I…”

She trailed off and Kennedy frowned as she slipped out of her skirt and pulled her shirt over her head.

“I need Bennett focused tonight.I hope you’re not upset about sitting apart.But it’s important that Governor Ray has a chance to speak with Bennett tonight.”

“We’re not sitting together,” Kennedy clarified.

“For dinner,” Maria said.“If Bennett would return the governor’s phone calls, then maybe that wouldn’t be necessary.But I don’t want him to be distracted.”

Kennedy slipped the dress over her head.It fit perfectly.Like it had been custom-made for her.The front plunged low.Very low.Not everyone would be able to pull that off, but it looked fantastic on her.She turned and looked over her shoulder at the back.It left her back bare almost to her waist.She was going to need some tape to keep everything where it should be, but yeah, she liked this dress.The skirt actually had three filmy layers and fell to the perfect length to brush her ankle bones, the higher hem in the front giving just teasing hints at her legs.She twirled once, loving the way the skirt lifted, then floated back down.This would look amazing with some strappy sandals.

She hadn’t worn sandals in forever.She went barefoot or wore Converse or her boots.She’d need a pedicure if she was going to do sandals.But there was no way her boots were appropriate for this dress.Dammit.And now she actually cared about what she was wearing.What was Bennett doing to her?

She stepped out from behind the screen.

Maria gave her an approving look.“That’s perfect.”She held out a pair of shoes.

Strappy sandals.The perfect strappy sandals for this dress.

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