Page 19 of Finding Us

“You totally have to wear that tonight,” Kylie adds.

I walk over to the full length mirror. “But it’s so sparkly. I’m not really into sparkles.”

The dress is also shorter than I’d normally wear, the hem hitting about mid-thigh.

“They’re dark blue sparkles,” Harper says. “They make the dress elegant yet cute. It’s perfect for the party tonight.”

Kylie comes up behind me. “And that hottie boyfriend of yours will love it. I saw him out back. The dark-haired guy with the perfect body? That’s your boyfriend, right?”

Harper answers before I can. “He’s her fiancé.”

“That’s right. I forgot about that,” Kylie says. “Mom said she and Dad are going to the wedding.”

“You and Caitlyn can come, too, if you want,” I offer.

Kylie tugs on the waist of my dress, smoothing the fabric. “I can’t. We’re taping promo stuff for the movie that weekend. And Caitlyn will be at a shoot in San Diego.”

Caitlyn stands next to the mirror, facing me. “So you’re only 19?”

“Yeah. Why? Do I look older than that?”

“No. I just can’t believe you’re getting married at 19. I’m 23 and I can’t even date a guy for longer than a few weeks. I get bored and have to move on.”

“I know we’re young, but Garret and I are ready to get married.”

“They’re totally meant for each other,” Harper says. “And you should see how he looks at her. He’s so in love. I’ve never seen a guy look at a girl that way.”

I feel bad when she says it because for some reason Harper doesn’t realize that Sean looks at her the same way. Maybe she just doesn’t want to see it. I’m not sure why.

“We have to go,” Kylie says, dragging Caitlyn with her. “But you have to wear that dress, Jade. And after the party, take it home with you, It’s yours. Find her some shoes, Harper.”

The two of them leave and Harper heads over to the closet and starts sorting through the boxes of shoes. “I think a simple black heel is all you need with that.” She comes back out and hands me a box.

I try on the shoes. “These will work.”

She smiles. “See? I told you we’d find you something.”

We spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out in her room and getting ready for the party, which starts at 6. Around 5:30 Sean comes back from surfing so I head back to my own room.

The door is closed so I assume Garret’s in there. He is, but he’s in the shower.

A few minutes later he comes out of the bathroom and sees me sitting on the bed, dressed and ready to go.

“Damn, who’s the hot woman in my room?” He comes over and kisses me, wearing only a towel around his waist. “You better get out of here. My fiancé will be back any minute.”

“So you like the dress?” I spin around to show it to him. “It’s a little too sparkly for me, but Harper and her sisters insisted I wear it.”

“I love it. It looks great on you.” He draws me into him and kisses me again, sneaking his hand under the short dress and caressing my inner thigh.

“Garret, stop. You need to get ready.”

“It only takes two minutes to put my tux on.”

“But you need to shave. Dry your hair.”

“That takes 5 minutes. Max.” He’s now kissing my neck while slipping my panties off.

I glance at the clock. “Okay, but don’t mess up my hair.”

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