Page 29 of Beautifully Wild

Mystomachtightenswhenthe taxi pulls into the resort. “Give me a half hour to shower,” I say quickly. “Wait. What room are you in?”

“Twenty-four. You go ahead. I need to talk to reception about something.”

I hesitate.

“Eden, I’ll come to your room in twenty.”

“I’m in room eight.” I let go of his hand and move briskly along the path. Hell, thirty minutes to wash my hair and apply makeup, and what am I going to wear?

I reach for my phone. “Amy, I’m back. Come to my room. I need a dress for dinner,” I say, puffing out the words. My heart hasn’t slowed since the cave, and now I’m beyond remaining calm.

“Eden, what the hell’s going on?”

“I’ll explain soon,” I say and end the call.

I pull out my key, and before I get a chance to unlock the door, it swings open.

“Girl, what’s happening?” Yasmine’s brow pulls tight. She steps aside for me to pass.

Bree is standing near my bed, arms folded.

Amy is going through my cupboard. “Nope. Nope. Nope,” she says as she pushes dresses aside.

“Yeah, there’s not a lot to choose from. I was hoping you had something.”

“Hers are undersized and too short for you,” Bree adds.

I shrug. “It’sthatkind of dinner. I want to… you know…”

“Impress him?” Bree’s eyes round.

“Entice is more the word.” I step closer to Amy. “Do you have anything? I don’t want to look like…me.”

Yasmine sits on the bed before me. “Edes, I’ve spoken to Michael about Samuel. Going by what he said, your clothes are fine. He likes you because you’re different. And he’s different. Don’t overthink this.”

“No,” I shoot back. My stomach is in knots, and I barely have time to explain. “Tonight, I need to do this. I can’t afford to let him ‘get away’ without knowing… argh, trust me, okay?” I spin back to my closet and throw clothes aside. “I have nothing.”

Yasmine strolls to her side of the room and reappears holding one of her dresses on a hanger. “How about this?”

I take it from her and smile. A white, lacy boho dress, ankle-length with a low cleavage cut to the waist. “Perfect.”

“I’m hitting the shower. I want to tell you everything except I don’t have time. I’m meeting him in a half hour,” I say as I head to the bathroom. “I can explain tomorrow.”

I shower and wash my hair with mango-scented shampoo and finish in record time. With a towel around my head, I open the bathroom door to find my bed dotted with jewelry. Amy’s makeup is spread out on the table.

“We can help.” Amy sings. “Since you’re the only one with a date tonight, we’re all helping to make it perfect.”

“And we can chat about what you’re getting yourself into,” Bree says in warning.

“Bree…” I say, searching for understanding, “… not tonight. Let me enjoy it.”

“I googled him like you said,” Yasmine says.

“Should I be worried?”

“If you were me, no. But you’re you, and—”

“Then I’m not. We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”

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