Page 139 of Wild Card

“Go, baby.” I urge her toward the second room.

Her phone vibrates with an unknown number and I forward it to her voicemail, wondering if her mom’s trying new tactics.

A few minutes later, they emerge and my whole body goes on alert. “Abso-fucking-lutely not!”

“Shhh,” Ember hushes me, signaling the girls to a raised platform surrounded by mirrors.

Shayla turns and twirls, bending and popping her hips in every direction.

Willow resembles a deer in headlights until Rowan springs up and stands between them. Ember snaps a few pictures and then instructs them to exchange dresses.

We repeat the process with my blood pressure skyrocketing at the second dress. I count to ten while Ember gets the pictures, but it doesn’t calm the storm brewing inside. “Hollywood, do anything for you, but these dresses aren’t going to cut it.”

“Talon! You don’t insult the bride’s choice of gowns,” Willow chastises, shooting me an evil glare. Then she turns to Rowan. “Don’t listen to him. He has no couth. The dresses are lovely, but why am I trying them on?”

Rowan leers over Ember’s shoulder at the phone. “They look extraordinary.” She fidgets with her ring and chews on her lips.

“For God’s sake, Nervous Nelly, ask her,” Shayla prompts.

“Yeah, I’m feeling the anxiety from down here.” Cruz steps up to Willow and sweeps her hair into a twist. “Oh my, this is quite the love bite.”

Willow gasps, twisting to the mirror to see the mark I left earlier. “Talon!” Her sharp cry is more of a squeak.

Ford coughs to cover his chuckle and I smile proudly.

“Okay, here goes.” Rowan takes another drink, draining the glass and turning her attention to Willow. “I wanted to ask you something. We haven’t known each other long, and this may be weird. Don’t feel obligated to say yes.”

“You have to ask her a question for her to reject you.” Shayla sounds bored.

“Will you be a bridesmaid in my wedding?” The question comes out in a rush.

“A bridesmaid? Like an alternative if Harley can’t make it?” Willow almost whispers.

My shoulders tense and I step forward, Ford doing the same when Rowan inhales as if she’s been struck.

“Not an alternative. And not in place of anyone. I’d love to have you in my wedding. But if it isn’t your thing…”

Willow glances between Rowan and me in complete shock, her gaze dropping to her dress as it dawns on her. “Yes,” she croaks on a broken breath before clearing her throat. “I’d love to.”

“All you have to do is pick out the dress. Ember and Cruz will handle the rest.”

“Here, pick which one you like best.” Ember shows her the pictures.

“You set up this elaborate ruse for me to pick out a dress?”

“We had to get you here today in case the dresses needed alterations. But they both fit perfectly.”

“How’d you know my size.”

Cruz drops her hair and waves a hand in the air. “Puuuhlease. Clocked your size and measurements the day in the park. Ordered these the next day.”

“You ordered me a bridesmaid dress months ago for a woman I’d never met? That’s ludicrous.” She swings her head my way. “Did you know about this?”

“I did.”

“We weren’t even close to dating!”

“Princess, you were the only one in denial.”

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