Page 36 of Kissing the Debutant
“We need to get your shopper on the phone and make sure she knows you’re not a forty-five-year-old divorcee. Good thing I brought a few outfits with me because you literally have nothing I can work with. Except the shoes. You have great boots.”
“You’re making this way harder than it needs to be. This is just about practicing tonight. It’s not a social thing.”
“It’s a dance club, Lil. That’s like the definition of a social gathering.”
“I’m not wearing that.” Lillian shot down the skimpy black dress Wylder came at her with. It would look great on Wylder’s petite frame. Not so much for Lillian with her long limbs. “I’m going to need a little more fabric than that.”
“Here, put these on.” She tossed Lillian a pair of skinny jeans. “They’re too long on me so they should be just right on you. Wear those tall black boots of yours too.”
Lillian ducked into her closet to change. She learned a long time ago that it was best to just let Wylder have her way. It was far less painful than arguing with her.
“I actually like this.” Lillian turned in front of her closet mirror. “Makes the sweater look much better.”
“Oh no, take that baggy sweater off. That’s cute for an afternoon coffee date, but not for tonight. Put this on.”
“You can’t be serious?” Lillian shook her head.
“Totally serious.”
“Where’s the back?” Lillian held up the scrap of sparkly silver fabric.
“It doesn’t have one.”
“What about my bra? Does it hang out the back for all the world to see?”
“No, silly.” Wylder shooed her back into the closet. “You don’t wear a bra.”
“No way.” Lillian refused.
“Just slip it on, and then decide if you like it or not.”
“Slip it on how?” Lillian studied the thin straps.
“Oh, just turn around and take your sweater off.”
Wylder tossed the halter-top over Lillian’s head and tied the satin straps snug around her waist to hold it in place. “See, you look hot, and it’s not going anywhere.”
Lillian wrapped her arms across her middle, feeling far too exposed to go out in public. “I don’t know about this, Wylder.”
“I promise, I wouldn’t let you go out if you didn’t look better in that top than I do. Jack’s eyes are going to pop out of his head when he sees you.”
“Why?” Lillian frowned at her pesky neighbor. “He has a girlfriend.”
“Who, Mia?”
“Yeah, she’s coming too.” Lillian glanced nervously at herself in the mirror. She’d never worn anything like this before. Her mother would have a fit if she saw her. That thought alone made her want to wear it. “All right, let’s just do this.”
“Wait here while I check the hall.” Wylder darted out of her room.
“Let’s go, hall’s clear.” Wylder returned a moment later, waving her through the door. “We’re taking the stairs down to the basement tonight.”
“Basement? There’s a basement? Why tonight?” Lillian moved quickly to keep up with Wylder.
“You know, it amazes me how you academy kids just don’t have a clue. You guys miss all the best stuff about this place.”
“You’re an academy kid too, Wylder.”
“I am not the same species as you guys.” Wylder tossed her dreadlocks over her shoulder as they made their way down the stairs to a dark and damp basement Lillian didn’t realize existed.
