Page 29 of Never Been Worse

It’s a bikini.

That I think you picked out.

Ava

But on you, it’s almost indecent. I was going for hot new bride/possibly seduce your new rockstar husband.

And honestly, I’d like a huge round of applause because fuck, did I nail it.

She sends me a gif of someone patting herself on the back, and I roll my eyes.

Did you have to pick the tiniest one possible?

Ava

Yes.

You’re hot. Your husband is hot. Once you get your head out of your ass, you can be hot together. So yeah, it’s a requirement.

I don’t even know how to reply to that, something I get a pass on when Jules replies before I have to.

Jules

You look gorgeous, Harper!

How was the flight there?

Leave it to Jules to bring things down to sanity.

Good, we’re going down to the pool now. I’m just wishing I had a one-piece. Or a scuba suit.

Jules

If you’ve got it, flaunt it, babe, and you most definitely have it. Have some fun!

Ava

LET yourself have some fun.

I won’t lie about how that last text hits a little too close to my recent reality because they know better than anyone, it’s not that I don’t have endless opportunities to enjoy myself; it’s that I’m always too worried about consequences and image and how people will take things toletmyself have fun.

But where has that gotten you?That pesky fucking voice whispers again.

I’m putting on a cover-up.

I reach for the still pretty skimpy cover-up, glad that even though it dips to display my ample cleavage, it covers my ass for the most part. I look at myself in the mirror and sigh at the coverage, ready to head out. Or at least, as ready as I’m going to be.

Ava

You’re a party pooper.

Jules

Don’t worry, it’s hot. She’ll have to take it off.

I roll my eyes at my friends, slipping my phone into my bag and taking a deep breath before I step out into the hotel.

“Are you going to wear that all day?” Wes asks an hour later, tipping his chin to the cover-up I’m still wearing. If I’m being honest, I’m absolutely sweating in this, the sun as strong as can be, but it could also just be Wes’s presence. Wes, who did not hesitate for a second to take off his baggy tank when we got to the pool. Wes, who I’ve been using extraordinary strength not to stare at ever since.

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