“Wills, you’ve looked amazing in everything you’ve tried on.”
Willow had been trying on dress after dress, none of which felt right to her, though Lorie seemed to think otherwise.
“This is so pointless. I don’t even know why I’m bothering,” Willow grumbled from inside the dressing room.
“Because you’re gorgeous, I’m gorgeous, and we’re going to have a blast.”
Willow rolled her eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped out to show Lorie the final dress.
The dress was a floor-length black number with a slit that ran daringly high up her thigh. The back was completely open, and it had a deep neckline adorned with tiny crystals. The dress draped off her perfectly.
“I guess you’re right,” Willow admitted, a bit taken aback by her own reflection.
She looked sexy.
“She’ll take this one,” Lorie called out to the sales assistant.
Later, Willow and Lorie sat in the kitchen, all dressed up. They sipped on cheap prosecco while waiting for their ride.
“You know what’s strange?” Lorie mused, “Every other time I’ve gone to a party at the estate, they never sent a driver to pick me up.”
“Maybe they’re trying to make things more convenient for their guests?” Willow suggested.
“Or you’re about to have the most unforgettable night of your life,” Lorie teased.
When the clock struck 10:30 p.m., the doorbell rang.
Willow and Lorie both perked up.
“Here we go,” Lorie grabbed Willow’s arm before she could bolt.
A tall man in a sleek black suit stood at the door.
“Ms. Bridges,” he began, “I am here to escort you to Heathcliff Estate on behalf of Mr. Damon Banes.”
“I will be accompanying Ms. Banes,” Lorie chimed in with a mock curtsy. Willow gave her a light smack on the arm and a warning glance.
“Very well,” the man nodded. “If you’ll both please follow me.”
“This was a terrible idea,” Willow muttered, trailing behind Lorie and a few other guests who’d arrived just before them up the grand staircase of the Heathcliff Estate.
She had to be careful not to trip over her long dress, which trailed dramatically behind her.
At the top of the stairs, hundreds of lanterns glowed in the darkness, casting a golden light on their skin.
A waiter offered Willow and Lorie a glass of champagne.
When Willow took a sip, she knew instantly that this was nothing like the cheap prosecco they had at home.
“This stuff is like liquid gold,” Lorie whispered.
As the doorman prepared to open the door for them, Willow wished she could just turn around, race down the stairs, and head home.
Maybe it was the champagne, but Willow suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach.
She took a step back, feeling nervous.
Lorie seemed to sense her unease and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.
The door swung open dramatically.
And there, standing side by side, were the three Bane brothers.
