The girls drag me into Hayden’s bedroom and she starts thumbing through her closet. She has a lot of clothes, that’s for sure. Way more than I do. But she’s rich. Her dad is loaded. I’m used to this sort of thing. When Ava Callahan is your best friend, you’re surrounded by money, thanks to her very rich and successful father.

A lifestyle I will probably never have, but it’s fun to hang on the fringes of it. Pretend that you’re rich too.

Though I don’t care about that. Not really. I just want to be comfortable. Safe. Happy. I don’t ask for a lot. I’m not a demanding person. I’m quiet and prefer to hang in the background while surrounding myself with big, over the top characters.

I’m drawn to big personalities, what can I say?

“What about this?” Hayden pulls a black tank out to show me.

“It looks…really small.” I frown at the scrap of fabric.

It’s cropped. Low cut neck, snap buttons down the middle.

“It’s cute,” Gracie says encouragingly. “You’d look good in it.”

Hayden slips it off the hanger and tosses it at me. I have no choice but to catch it. “Try it on.”

I take off my T-shirt, a little self-conscious, but they’re not even paying attention to me. Too busy responding to whoever’s on their phones, their fingers moving rapidly over the screens. Maybe Tony and…Franz?

I can’t even with that name.

I pull the tank over my head, careful not to mess up my hair. I tug the shirt into place, quietly horrified that the tops of my boobs are basically on full display, along with my stomach.

“It’s definitely small,” I say, still pulling on it, trying to cover up some skin.

“Stop messing with it.” Hayden slaps my hand away before taking a step back, contemplating me with her head tilted to the side. “What do you think, G?”

Gracie comes to stand right beside Hayden, studying me with a narrowed gaze, tapping her index finger against her lips. “Looking good, Ellie.”

“I’m too exposed.” I wave a hand at my chest. “Look at me.”

“You look fabulous. Like I said, your boobs are spectacular. Not too big, not too small,” Gracie says.

“Just right,” Hayden adds.

I roll my eyes and walk over to the full-length mirror that hangs on Hayden’s wall. Oh shit. I am all legs and arms and tits, and normally I would never think of myself like that. I’m short for the love of God, and my legs are kind of stubby.

I don’t look stubby right now though. I look…older. On display, but not in a bad way.

“You don’t think it’s too much?” I frown at myself in the mirror, hating how insecure I suddenly feel.

I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.

“No, I definitely don’t think it’s too much. You’re adorable.” Hayden comes up behind me and gives my shoulders a squeeze. “Adorably sexy.”

“I’m not used to showing so much skin,” I admit, pulling the waistband of my shorts up to cover my stomach.

Hayden slaps at my hand again before grabbing the denim at my hips and tugging them back down.

“It’s hot. You’re going to be burning up with all the people coming tonight. You’ll be grateful for this outfit later, trust me,” Gracie says.

“If you say so.”

“Jackson is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you,” Hayden says.

“I don’t care what he thinks,” I say, lying through my teeth.

“Uh huh. Well, then precious Carson will think you’re a not-so-secret hottie,” Gracie says with a laugh. “I’m so glad you invited him. He better show up.”

Tags: Monica Murphy College Years Romance
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