[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.We ll getmanicures, pedicures, facials& the whole thing. I m so glad you re in, Michelle said to Candace.It was probably the first genuine thing that hadbeen said at this table. We ll have a good time.And we ve got a lot of catching up to do. I m looking forward to it, Candace replied, trying to pour some truth into the words.She d love tocatch up with Michelle, but preferably some other way that didn t involve a crappy pastel bridesmaid sdress and dyed pumps and hanging out with a bunch of people she couldn t stand.She d have to trainherself to walk in the shoes so she didn t wind up face down on the floor of the church.Michelle turned to her sister. So you never told me why Becky s out.What happened? Candace picked up her water glass to take a sip, thinking this was probably going to be a riot.Deanne rolled her eyes heavenward, lifting her hands for emphasis as she bellowed: She got atattoo! The mouthful of water Candace was in the process of swallowing jammed in her throat and came backup.Frantically, she grabbed one of the heavy linen napkins and pressed it to her lips, certain she wasturning beet red as she tried to catch her breath.Michelle was grinning knowingly at her, but Deanne andSylvia were both too caught up in their horror over the situation to notice. It s on her upper back.Right here. Deanne indicated the spot on her left shoulder blade. I said, Rebecca! Oh my God! The dresses are off the shoulder.I can t have you walking down the aisle like that!It s trashy. I mean, you re all wearing up-dos.That thing will be right out there for everyone to ogle. 76 www.samhainpublishing.com Rock MeSylvia was shaking her head as if being faced with all the suffering in the wide world. How dreadful.Those things are hideously unattractive. Oh, Aunt Syl& Michelle began indulgently.She d always been so much better at dealing withCandace s mom than Candace herself.She was so easygoing about everything, taking it all in stride.Ofcourse, that was the best way to survive in this family. They re the norm now.You might as well face it. I will not.People are ruining their bodies with those wretched things.Candace Marie, if I ever hearof you Aunt Syl, before you say anything, don t forget I have three. Michelle was laughing, having a greattime. Of course, you don t date a tattoo artist for over a year and not walk away with a few souvenirs. What did he do, hold you down and tattoo you against your will? Deanne asked.A dreamy smileremembrance? spread across Michelle s lips and there was no denying the flush that crept up her cheeks.Her entire demeanor had softened.Oh, crap.There were still feelings there.Candace had just witnessed Michelle silently go to pieces atthe mere mention of him.Thankfully, Sylvia s lips were currently sipping water, but her narrowed, accusatory gaze flickeredover to Candace. At least yours aren t anywhere I can see, Deanne finished.Michelle managed to pull herself out of her own Brian-induced funk.If only Candace could do thesame. So what are you saying? If they were, I couldn t be in your wedding? Your own sister? Deanne sniffed and pursed her pillow lips. It would depend on what they were.I guess. What did Becky get? I don t even know. Michelle shook her head, giving Candace a wink as the waiter came to take their orders.Still feelingstuffed from her late breakfast, she ordered a garden salad and earned an approving nod from her motherthat made her not want, but need to tear the woman s hair out and then order the most fat-laden item on themenu. Good for you, Candy.Better to have to take the dress in than let it out, I always say.And you dolook as if you ve put on a few pounds these last couple of months. She did not just go there in front of everyone.Are you kidding me? I don t think she ll need too many alterations, Deanne said, eyeing Candace critically from the neckdown. You re basically the same size as Becky, I think.Maybe take the bust in a bit. Of course.Because I have no boobs.But remember, I ve got ass.If she didn t get through this day without hitting someone or screaming, she had far more self-controlthan she thought.www.samhainpublishing.com 77 Chapter NineBrian must ve been wearing one hell of a thunderous expression.When he stalked into the shop thatevening, his employees glanced up at him, opened their mouths to speak, apparently thought better of it,and went back to whatever they were working on.Shit.They were swamped.Everyone had a client and there wasn t an empty seat in the waiting area.So much for going back to his office or his studio and unwinding by drawing and blasting the musicuntil his eardrums bled, which had been his plan when he d forced himself to leave his apartment.All he dbeen doing there was pacing like a caged animal, thinking about calling Candace and apologizing for beingsuch an ass this morning
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]