Page 158 of Dark Endures

“She’s done.” The seamstress stands up.

“Good. Go get out of that dress quickly. We have to meet with the florist after the coordinator.”

The seamstress follows me back into the closet that we’re using as a changing room. She doesn’t make a face or a sound when she sees all the bruises or stitches on my body.

Most people cringe or at least react.

Nothing. She’s completely emotionless.

For some reason, I don’t find that at all comforting.

***

Mom stops outside of my door. “You get ready for dinner. It’s formal tonight. We’ll have the rehearsal right after that.”

I’m probably going to get lost trying to find my way to dinner. They need to have maps around this place. “I brought a formal dress.”

“Good. Tomorrow is going to be so much fun. I’m going to aim the bouquet at you.”

Yippee. “I’ll see you at dinner.” If I lie down immediately, I’ll have enough time for a short nap. Barb would be telling me about overexerting myself right about now. Actually, probably a few hours ago.

“Get that ring.”

I can’t even. Without another word, I open the door to my room and step inside.

The giant bed calls to my bruised and battered body, which has a few more holes in it than it did this morning.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Naked man. Why is Maddox running around naked?

“Huh?” He grabs for the towel that almost falls off.

“You’re naked!”

“That generally happens when one takes a shower.” He tightens the towel.

“You’re naked.”

“I think that fact has already been established, but feel free to look away.”

What? No. I spin around and face the door. “Why are you naked?”

“We already established that.”

Argh! That man is so frustrating. And so naked. All those bare muscles… Don’t even think about it. “Just put some clothing on.”

“Why don’t you leave first, if this is making you uncomfortable?”

“Because this is my room, too. Didn’t you see that the maid hung up both our clothes in the closet?” I didn’t even have to look to know it was done.

“What?”

“We’re a couple. In my mom’s mind, that means we’re sleeping together. A lot. And couples share the same room.”

“Oh.”

“Exactly.”

“She thinks we’re…”

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