Page 67 of Evading the Enforcer

“Ooh, these are too fancy for me,” I say.

Maeve laughs. “I bought them at a mall kiosk for my senior prom.”

“Oh, good. If I lose one, I won’t have to take out a loan to replace it.” I hardly recognize myself when I glance at my reflection in the mirror.

“Now, go get your dress on,” she says.

“Yes, ma’am.” I stand and give her a quick hug. “You’re the best fake sister-in-law-to-be I could ask for.”

“Aww, don’t make me cry.”

I wrestle on the one-piece shapewear that’ll instantly make my waist the size it was five years ago. I step into the center of the dark green dress and pull the material up, slipping the one strap over my shoulder.

“Maeve, can you please zip my dress?”

She steps from the bathroom into my room and freezes in place. “Hot damn, you’re a sexy bitch.”

“Thanks.” I laugh and spin around, giving her my back.

She carefully raises the zipper. “Your booty looks bitable.”

Maybe Niall will nibble on it later.

“You should come to the fundraiser with us, and every time I feel out of place, you could compliment me.”

She laughs. “I wish I could, but the tickets are out of my price range.” She puts her thumb and index finger close together. “Just a little.”

“How much are the tickets?” I ask. I haven’t a clue about the price. Niall never mentioned this event costing anything. I just assumed he’d have to make a donation to the cause.

“The tickets are ten thousand each,” she says.

Inhaling, I choke on my spit and cough a few times. “Can you repeat that, please?”

“Ten… thousand… dollars.” She dramatically pauses between words.

“That’s nuts!” I smooth my hands over my skirt. “Oh my God. Am I underdressed?”

Maeve laughs. “No, you’re good to go.”

“I’m texting Calista. We spoke the other day, and she said she was going.”

“Does she know about the fakegagement?”

“Yes.” Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I type out a message.

Me: What are you wearing tonight?”

Calista: Clothes.

Me: This is no time to joke.

Calista: I’m wearing a long black dress.

She sends me a picture so I can see it. It’s elegant, like her, and no fancier than mine.

Me: Thank you. I was afraid I was underdressed.

Calista: Calm down. We’ll have a great time.

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