Page 110 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

110 | FRANCESCA PE NN

“I’m not getting any younger. I’m ready to see the pièce de résistance.” Damn.
My insides quiver. Sometimes, I forget that he speaks French until he speaks it. And
it gets me hot every time. I open the door wider and move into his view.
“Holy lace,” he murmurs as he takes in the dress. His eyes shimmer with…I’m
not going to let my feeble brain decipher the look. “I’ve never been so happy about

helping a woman into a dress.” Pride. That’s what that is…we’re sticking with pride.
The entire dress is lace. The top part is only one layer of lace. It has a high neck
and capped sleeves with a built-in half-bra that allows an unobstructed view of my
back through the lace. On the mannequin, it looked simple and pretty. On me, the
built-in half-bra has a push-up effect. My boobs look like they are begging to be
touched. Too distracting for a wedding. The bottom part of the dress has a built-
in slip layer to keep the bottom opaque. An extra fringe of lace lays about an inch
below the slip layer. On the mannequin, it was almost knee length. On me, it is
mid-thigh.
“You look hot as fuck ... ” The compliment thrums through my body. “…and,
I also understand why you switched dresses. This would be too distracting at a
wedding unless you are a drunk, Vegas party girl whose friend is being married by
Elvis.”
“Exactly, and I know it’s my shape and not the weight because I actually have

room in the dress.” I pull at some parts and shimmy to prove my point. His eyes
are on my breasts.
“Stop shaking, please.” I comply. The way he says it warns me it is for my own
good. Part of me wants to wiggle again just to see what he does.
We are late, and I don’t care. We stroll into the rehearsal as if we’re on time.
Several members of the wedding party give us the same looks I didn’t notice this
morning.
“They think we were screwing again,” I whisper out the side of my mouth.
“I know. Never have I had such an amazing reputation without doing
anything.” He smiles down at me. “You should be tired from all of the sex.”
Tala caught the last sentence and tisked.
“You both should be tired.” She spins me. “You look amazing in that dress!
But I understand why you’re not wearing it tomorrow.”
I show her the picture I made Henry take of me in the other dress. “Oh, my
God! I cannot wait to see it in person.”