Page 28 of Make You Mine

Chelsea notices, the lipstick tube in hand. “You alright?”

I offer a weak smile. “Just not sure about this dress. It’s a little… tight.”

Her eyes drift down to assess the fit, and for a second I think she might agree. But then she waves it off with a flick of her hand. “Nonsense. You look gorgeous. Honestly, I’m sure Declan doesn’t mind the extra curves one bit.”

I try to laugh, but it doesn’t make me feel any less unsure when I glance in the mirror and notice how the slinky fabric clings to my hips.

“You smell heavenly. What is that?”

“Velvet Sin,” I murmur, reaching for the frosted bottle. “Declan loves it. Says something about it activates the feral part of the male brain. Here, have a spritz.”

I spray a mist over her wrist, and she lifts her arm to her nose with an exaggerated inhale.

“Mmmm. Lovely. If my crush catches a whiff of this on me, I’ll have him falling at my feet.”

I laugh, fastening one of my earrings. “When that day comes, I owe you a dress to match. You can borrow any of mine.”

“That’d be the dream,” she says wistfully, before turning at the sound of little feet padding down the hall.

Willow pokes her head into the doorway, wide-eyed and full of curiosity, her braids frizzy from the chaos of the day. “Oooh… Mommy, you look so pretty!” she squeals, bouncing on the spot like her little legs can’t hold still.

I kneel down with open arms and scoop her up, planting a kiss to her cheek as I carry her back into the bedroom. Her small hands clutch at the neckline of my dress as she beams at me.

“Do I?” I ask, smiling into her soft hair. “Guess that makes two of us, baby girl.”

She lets out a giggle, then cranes her neck to look at Chelsea. “Can I have lipstick too? Just a little?”

Chelsea and I exchange an amused look.

“Maybe just a little.” I set her down on the foot of the bed, taking the tube of lipstick and pressing a faint sheen to her lips.

Willow watches in awe as I grab a small hand mirror to show her.

“Look!” she gasps. “Mommy, I look like you!”

“You do, Lo. Except way cuter,” I say, tapping her nose. “Now, promise me you’ll be good while we’re gone. No sneaking extra cookies, no jumping on the sofa, and bed by nine.”

She nods solemnly, swinging her legs as she recites, “Uh-huh, yup! We’re gonna watch the Lilo movie and eat popcorn and Chelsea said maybe ice cream too. Just a little!”

I chuckle and reach for my second earring. “Thanks again for tonight, Chelsea.”

“Don’t mention it,” she says with a proud grin, hands tucked into the pockets of her woolly cardigan. “You two deserve a night off. Go have a lovely time. I’ve got everything under control.”

As I glance at her, I almost sense the briefest flicker of longing. It’s in how her smile doesn’t reach her eyes all the way, even with her large glasses to hide behind. It serves as a reminder that Chelsea’s admitted herself she doesn’t have much of a personal life.

Maybe Declan and I can set her up with one of the junior analysts at his company. Someone introverted and studious that might vibe well with her.

I press a kiss to Willow’s head and take one final look in the mirror. I’m still not sure about how this dress clings to my hips, but there’s no more time to dwell on it. I step into the hall and begin my descent down the stairs, heels tapping softly against the wooden steps.

Declan looks up from the hall and goes still.

A low whistle thrums from him. “Who’s that gorgeous lass with all those curves?”

Heat warms my cheeks, and I roll my eyes even as a reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “This gorgeous lass is your wife.”

“Exactly why I’m the luckiest bastard in the world. C’mere.”

He catches me the second I hit the last step, his arm hooking tight around my waist as he pulls me flush against him. His mouth finds mine without hesitation, his kiss greedy and passionate enough to make my legs sway slightly in their heels. It’s a sign of what’s to come.

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