Page 125 of Flawed

"You have to get that dress," Pina declares.

Zara groans. "My mom isn't going to let me wear this. You know how she is."

"Yeah, but it's a special occasion. And it's my party, so let me handle your mom," Pina chirps.

I roll my eyes and knock on the door, calling out, "What's Pina going to convince me to do?"

The door opens, and my heart skips a beat. Zara's in a hot-pink minidress. It's off the shoulder, shorter than I want her to wear, and it fits her like a glove.

My little girl no longer exists. She's becoming a woman, which scares me more than I ever anticipated.

"She looks great, doesn't she?" Pina claims.

I want to kill her. What is she thinking, telling her she can wear something like this? It's short, and now I'm going to be the bad guy again.

I carefully answer, "You do look nice, Zara, but I think we need to find something a little longer."

"See, I told you," Zara states, turning toward Pina.

She places her hand on her hip. "Come on, Chanel. I'm sure you wore stuff like that at her age."

I scoff. "My father would have locked me in my room."

"It's not the 1950s anymore, Mom." Zara smirks.

"I was not born in the 50s, thank you very much!" I declare.

"Whatever," Zara mutters and rolls her eyes. She spins. "Can you unzip me, Aunt Pina? I told you she wouldn't let me wear it."

Pina cocks her eyebrows at me.

My gut screams I need to let Zara have this one. I order, "Turn back around."

"Why?" she asks.

"Just do it." I motion with my finger to spin.

Zara obeys, and there's so much hope in her eyes. I don't have it in me to hurt her on this one. She's already dealing with enough.

I study her in the dress.

Pina interjects, "Okay, let's do the test. Zara, sit on the seat."

"Why?"

"We need to do the pervert test," Pina announces.

Zara scrunches her face. "Eww! What is that?"

"Sit," Pina repeats.

Zara gives her a funny look, but she sits.

"Cross your legs," Pina orders.

Zara does it.

Pina and I stare at her lower body.

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