Chapter Eighteen
ALLEY
THEN
I drain the last of the champagne in my plastic cup and turn to the mirror again, a laugh bursting out as I take myself in.
“Take that ugly-ass dress off, now!” Megan says, her laughter echoing through the store. The second we make eye contact, I completely lose it.
“Shh! You guys!” Amber scolds, though she’s fighting back her own laugh.
“She looks like she’s about to become a sister wife from the 1800s,” Megan snorts, doubling over.
I bend at the waist, tears stinging my eyes from laughing so hard.
This dress is awful. And honestly? I do look like I’m about to join a cult. I don’t even know how it ended up in the try-on pile—probably Megan’s doing.
Megan and I have gotten really close over the past two years.
She and Kevin don’t live far from us, and we double-date all the time.
The guys wanted to hit the slopes again today, but honestly, I was tapped out.
Whether Megan and Amber were too or they’re just appeasing me, I’m not sure, but they rallied for a girls’ day.
We found a little bridal shop nearby and figured, why not?
Wedding dress shopping sounded way better than falling on my ass all day in the freezing cold.
We’ve been at it for a couple hours now, and I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard—though, to be fair, Jensen makes me laugh daily.
I haven’t found the one yet, but I’m still hopeful, and I’ve definitely found plenty of worst-case scenarios.
“Is it time to try another store? Or should we take a break?” I ask, turning to face them.
Amber glances around. “I don’t know if there are any other bridal stores in this town.”
Megan bursts out laughing again. “I can’t even take you seriously in that dress. Let’s grab an early dinner, then shop for the wedding night instead. Pretty sure we all need a break. And we can all benefit from some new lingerie and toys.”
Amber perks up. “Ooh, I like that idea.”
I avoid the mirror at all costs so I don’t bust up laughing again. “Alright. That’s a great plan. Meg, find us a place to eat, and Amber—help me out of this damn dress.”
“On it.” Megan holds up a finger, already reaching for her phone.
Amber steps behind me, starting on the tiny hooks down my back. “So… have you and Jensen picked a honeymoon spot yet?”
“Not yet. We’ve narrowed it down to Thailand or Bali, but we haven’t made a final decision. I’m just excited to go somewhere new with warm weather, beaches, and no wedding planning.”
“Thailand is amazing,” Megan chimes in. “But I haven’t been to Bali. I’ve heard great things though. Either way, you can’t go wrong.” She glances down at her phone. “Oh! I found a place. It’s called The Grove, and it’s only a seven-minute walk.”
I step out of the dress and reach for my pants. “Seven minutes in this weather is seven minutes of torture.”
“Oh, I know. It’s actual hell… We’ll walk fast.” Megan slips her phone into her purse and stands as I tug my shirt over my head. I do a quick sweep of the dressing room, making sure we didn’t leave anything behind, then the three of us grab our coats and head out.
And somewhere in those seven minutes, I realize these aren’t just my friends—they’re my sisters.
I walk into the living room wearing leggings and a cozy sweatshirt, my bag of goodies from earlier clutched in one hand, and fall into the couch.
Megan’s already camped out on the other end with a glass of Merlot, her bag resting in her lap like it’s prized treasure.
Amber’s in the kitchen, dumping popcorn into a giant bowl.
She douses it in melted butter, gives it a heavy sprinkle of salt, then grabs the bowl and a glass of wine and joins us—her bag already saving the seat in the middle.
We had an amazing dinner and then hit up this lingerie and sex toy shop called The Cheeky Boutique.
Totally cheesy name, but the store was amazing.
We all tried on lingerie, laughed our asses off, and made a pact to each buy three things: something to wear, something for him, and something new to try.
There was one rule—no peeking. Nobody could see what the others were buying until we got home.
Now we’re sitting here, bags in hand like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning, itching to see what’s inside.
Megan has the movie—Beaches—paused and ready to go on the home screen.
She and Amber nearly lost it when I admitted I’ve never seen it, so apparently that’s happening tonight because I have to see it.
The boys are still out, extending their day on the slopes into a full-blown guys’ night.
Naturally, that means they’ll all stumble in drunk, which might actually work in my favor.
I’m a little nervous about some of the stuff in my bag, and part of me is worried I’ll feel dumb trying to pull it off.
But if Jensen’s not totally sober, maybe I won’t overthink it.
Maybe I’ll just let him take the lead and feed off his adventurous energy.
My phone vibrates in my lap.
Jensen
Hey babe, we just finished dinner. Heading to a bar with live music. You sure you don’t want to come out? I miss you and that sweet ass of yours.
I smile to myself, thumb hovering over the screen.
Haha, I miss you too! I’m sure. We’re all cozied up by the fireplace. Just don’t be out too late… Got some new toys to try out.
Amber glances over, holding out the bowl of popcorn. “What are you grinning at?”
“Oh, nothing. Just Jensen being Jensen… you know, cute.”
Megan makes a face, scrunching her nose. “Ugh, I forget you both fuck my brothers. This suddenly feels like a terrible idea. Do I really want to know what you bought to seduce them?” She mock gags.
We all crack up, and I dig into my bag, pulling out a butt plug and holding it up between two fingers.
“Wait, so do you not want to hear about how your brother is obsessed with the idea of doing anal, and I’ve yet to brave the butt stuff?” I say, half laughing, half cringing at myself. I take a breath, showing off the plug. “Starting small. But… I want to give him that fantasy.”
“Hold on.” Megan throws her hands up, palms out. “You guys don’t do anal?”
Amber’s head snaps toward her. “You guys do?”
Megan’s jaw drops. “You don’t either?” She looks between us, genuinely shocked. “Okay, what the hell? I am not the minority here. You two are.” She takes a sip of wine, her eyes wide over the rim. “Great, I’ve officially stepped into an episode of Sister Wives. You’re both so PG.”
“We are not PG!” I fire back, laughing. “Give me some credit. I’m trying to be more adventurous. I even gave Jensen road head on the way here. And…” I pause for effect. “I swallowed.”
Silence.
Megan blinks, wine glass frozen halfway to her mouth.
“For the first time ever,” I add, grinning.
Her mouth drops open. “Oh. My. God. Your first time ever?”
Amber smacks her leg, shooting her a look. “Atta girl,” she says to me, grinning as she holds up her hand for a high five. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”
I laugh, giving her a high five, but Megan still hasn’t recovered.
“Seriously? First time?” she repeats, like she can’t wrap her head around it.
Amber rolls hers eyes. “Yeah, Meg. Calm down.”
Megan leans back. “No, I mean… I’m proud, but also, finally! And ew, now I’m thinking about my brother and—” She bursts out laughing mid-sentence, completely losing it. “I’m so glad you’re finally swallowing my brother’s… spunk,” she chokes on the word, dissolving into fits of laughter.
Her whole body is shaking, and despite being the butt of the joke, I can’t help but laugh too.
“Oh my God, stop,” I say, covering my face, but I’m grinning.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Megan gasps, wiping tears from her eyes. “I’ve had way too much wine.” She takes a deep breath, trying to pull it together, but the second she looks at me again, she snorts, biting her lip to keep from laughing more.
My phone buzzes again.
Jensen
Do you even know how hot you are? 10/10. Seriously. And new toys? On my way… haha.
I smile, biting my bottom lip as I quickly type back:
You think? What are you gonna do about that? Also… your sister is very drunk.
Jensen
Oh, I’ve got plans for you and Lola tonight. And Megan’s drunk? What’s new? I’m gonna be right there with her if Matt keeps buying everyone shots.
Before I can respond, Megan turns to Amber. “What’d you get to try?”
I set my phone in my lap as Amber casually reaches into her bag and pulls out a set of nipple clamps. My hands immediately fly to my chest, covering my boobs like that’ll somehow protect them. Just looking at those things makes my nipples ache.
“Do people actually like that?” I ask, eyeing the clamps like they might bite.
“Oh, Jesus, Alley,” Megan mutters, then turns to Amber. “Give her your nipple clamps.”
Amber clutches them to her chest, scandalized. “What? No! I bought these for me. I’ve never tried them, but I’ve always wanted to.”
Megan laughs. “Wow. Am I the only kinky one here?”
“Yes,” Amber and I say at the same time, grinning at each other.
“Hey, give me a minute to catch up,” I add. “Jensen’s been… opening my eyes. I mean, my ex before him was seriously vanilla. Like, wouldn’t even go down on me. Meanwhile, Jensen wants to set up camp down there.”
“Oh my God. Stop. I don’t want to picture my brother like that.” Megan groans, covering her face.
I lift my brows, smirking. “He’s really good at it too!”
“Nope. Don’t want to know,” Megan shakes her head furiously, eyes squeezed shut.
My phone buzzes again in my lap.
Jensen
I can’t wait for you to sit on my face tonight.
I giggle as the text comes through at just the right time.
“Speaking of setting up camp…” I hold up my phone so they can see.
Megan groans, dropping her head back. “Ugh. You guys are still so cute. Where’s my text?” She picks up her phone, scrolling, then scoffs. “Oh yeah, my husband forgot how to flirt when we had kids.”