Page 27 of If the Suit Fits
“Good lord.” This time, she’s successful in pulling out of my grasp. Shaking her head, she paces the kitchen. “You can’t say those things, Nick!”
“Why not?” I turn and dig my hands into my pockets. “I’m your adoring boyfriend, remember? I cherish the ground you walk on and pray at the altar of Melanie Hamilton.” I flash a taunting grin. “I should propose to you at her wedding. She’ll hate that.”
“Don’t you dare!”
“You can’t control me.” Chuckling, I wander forward and step in her path, stopping her when she strides this way. “I’m not gonna propose, because then you’ll have all those social climbing wank tanks expecting an invitation.”
“Wank tanks? Really? Where do you come up with these phrases?”
“They’re easy to come by on the streets I grew up on.” I catchthe crackle of gravel beneath tires outside and then the incredibly rude bleat of a horn that means her ride is here. But when she attempts to turn because she’s completely incapable of making someone wait, I slip my fingers into the V-neckline of her dress and drag her to a stop. Her breath explodes from her lips, and her eyes widen and swing back to mine. “You still have twenty minutes. Just because they’re early does not mean you need to run out there on their command.”
“Nick—”
“You’re not a dog, and you don’t come on command.” I stand over her, forcing her head back and her neck to extend. And when she’s my prisoner, completely and totally focused on me, I lower and press a kiss to her supple lips. “It’s just a dress, Melanie. And she’s just a hoe. Beneath the gowns, you’re still you. Which means she’s still insecure and ugly and cheap, and you’re still wonderful and pure and beautiful. Remember that when you’re standing there in front of all those opinionated fuck sticks. Because you’re going tofeeljudged, but the reality of the matter is, you’re better than them. All of them. They fuckingwishthey could be you, which is why they torment you. When they’re talking shit and acting superior, remember they’re terrified.”
Her striking eyes flicker between mine. “Terrified?”
“Mm. Of being exposed as nothing but big talk and low self-esteem. Will I see you before the ceremony?”
She shakes her head and swallows, the loud gulp hitting my ears and bringing a smile to my lips.
“But I’ll see you,” she whispers. “I’ll be the idiot up front in the ugly dress. And while they’re promising fidelity and lying in church, in front of a priest and all the people they swear they love, I’ll be searching the crowd until I can findyou.”
“I’ll be there.” I lean in and give her a second kiss.Why the fuck not? “You’ll see me. And once they’re declared husband and wife, you can fly free, too.” One last kiss. I brush my lips against hers and linger until she sighs. “By then, you’ll have put on the show and done yoursupposedsocial obligation. They’ll have saved face and pretended everyone is still friends. Your parents still get to kiss his parents’ asses, and the slutty bride will be legally attached to the dud she coveted. As soon as it’s done, your cage is open, and you get to fly away.”
The fucker outside honks again, laying on the horn and stoking the flames already alive and well in my veins. “Can I hit him?”
She chokes out a tearful laugh. “No. That wouldn’t be proper.”
“Beingproperis really fuckin’ restricting. It’s way less fun than what I’m accustomed to.”
“Yeah, well?—”
“I betproperpeople make slow, sweet love. Missionary position only. Scheduled intimacy.” I pull back and grin when I find her cheeks burning with a rosy red blush. “People like you and me, we get to fuck.Way more fun.”
“You’re not helping right now.” She rolls her eyes and circles out of my arms. But I let her this time and swallow the hilarity bubbling on my breath that tries so desperately to get me in trouble because her dress isn’tjustugly. It comes with a giant fuckin’ bow perched at the small of her back and bounces with everyshoop-step she takes. “You’re good at your job, though.” With jerky movements, she snatches up her phone and reaches under her skirt to tuck it… somewhere. I assume it’s in her garter and not her vagina. “How many other women have hired you? Because I won’t lie,” she glances back with a lifted brow, “I’m a little jealous. I don’t wanna let you go after tonight, knowing you could be making some other woman feel artificially special.”
I scoff and start toward the front of the house when she heads that way. “I personalize my approach for each client. What you’re getting, Ms. Hamilton, is tailored just for you. No one else gets this.” I follow her through the door, though I wait on the porch while she heads down. But then I meet the driver’s eyes and hold his stare until he releases the horn and swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing with nerves.
Good, bitch.
“I’ll see you in a little bit, okay, Princess?”
I hate that no one gets out of the car to open the door for her, and worse, that I can’t do it for her without the risk of slamming someone’s face through the windshield as payment for their bad manners. I loathe that these assholes act like social elites when there’s an audience to be fed, but when doors are closed and witnesses are lacking, they’re worlds away from the bullshit they pretend to be.
“Hey, Mel?” I make sure I’m extra loud when she opens the car door and the people inside silence to eavesdrop. When she turns back to meet my eyes, I beam. “I love you. Save your first dance for me.”
She blushes and shakes her head, ducking low and preparing to slide in. But she’s a good girl, and ignoring me would be rude. “Love you, too. And I saveallof my dances for you.”
“That’s my girl.” I flip the driver off while Mel is busy getting in, then I turn the finger to a wave when she’s settled and looking my way again. “Drive safely.”
TWELVE
MELANIE
Church bells ring out, and rice is tossed into the air. The happy bride and groom are celebrated, and I… I want to puke.
“You’re so brave!” Drew’s Aunt Betty seeks me out the moment I enter the reception ballroom, taking my hands and twining our fingers together. And I’m too friggin’ trained to toss her away. “So brave. We know things didn’t work out between you and Drew, and I’ve never blamed you for that, despite what Arty says. But to swallow your pride, apologize for how your relationship ended, and still show up for Drew on his big day is commendable.”
