Page 136 of Beautiful Exile

“Stop moving,” Sutton ordered. “I’m almost done. Just a little more rose gold.”

Nerves swept through me. “I’m not going to look ridiculous, right?”

“As if any of us would let you go out looking a fool,” Fallon said from her spot on the couch.

“And I take my makeup very seriously.” Sutton grinned. “Almost as seriously as my cupcakes.”

“I think I need another one before we go,” Thea said, sounding like she was crossing into the kitchen.

“All done,” Sutton announced. “You can open your eyes.”

I did as she instructed, my lids feeling a little funny with the false lashes at the outside corners.

Rhodes moved in and pulled the towel off me. “Time for the full impact.”

I slid my feet into the strappy heels and moved toward the full-length mirror Fallon had hauled out of my bedroom. As I stepped up to it, I blinked a few times, trying to clear my vision. It was me, but not.

The silk fabric skimmed my body with a sultry touch. I took in the slight dip around my breasts, the slit revealing the smallest peek of thigh, the color that didn’t let me hide in the background.

I felt…beautiful. Me. But more.

Fallon’s hand curved around my shoulder, squeezing gently. “You look stunning.”

“Linc’s gonna swallow his tongue,” Rho called.

Sutton laughed. “Or have a stroke.”

“We need a picture,” Thea demanded.

We all moved then, squeezing in as she tried to do a long-armed selfie. It wasn’t perfect or posed, but it was a pile of happiness, all of us dissolving into giggles as we squeezed in.

The doorbell rang, and Brutus rose from his dog bed, letting out two quick barks. “I’ve got it, baby,” I called, heading to the door.

When I pulled it open, I stilled. The man standing there was stunning in every way. Linc’s deep brown hair was styled in one of those artful ways that was just a little messy. His scruff had been shorn so only a hint shone through. And his eyes burned a little more gold than green.

He wore a suit that matched my dress—a little more earthy than pink, but a clear correlation. It was a silent claiming. No, abelonging. Or more, a promise. That we belonged to each other.

“You match me.”

There was no twitch of his lips or corner of his mouth tugging up. Linc’s eyes burned brighter. “Wanted everyone to know that I was yours. How proud I am of all you do.”

That pressure was back behind my eyes. “Linc.”

“You look incredible. Everything you’ve always been but uncovered in a whole new way.”

He understood what I was reaching for. Like always.

“But you’re missing one thing,” Linc said.

I frowned. “What?—?”

Linc pulled something out of his pocket. A charm hung from a delicate rose gold chain. Not something over-the-top and covered in gems. Something that was me. The charm was an artist’s palette stamped onto a rose gold disc. Simple. Beautiful. Me.

“It’s perfect,” I whispered.

Linc reached around my neck and fastened the clasp. As he stepped back, the necklace fell to the perfect spot. “Meant for you.”

I lifted my gaze to his. “It is. Just like you are for me.”

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