LILAC Sisterhood 5: Quirk

ABBOT

Book 5: Quirk

The moment I met Sloan Kennedy and Carly Anderson earlier this week, I’ve been itching to see them again. We’re teaming up to plan a grand event, a collaboration between our fashion companies.

It’s a must-attend event, given the stature of our companies in the fashion industry. We have to get along, but luckily, Sloan and Carly seem genuinely nice. I usually struggle to connect with other girls, but with these two, I feel at ease.

They both seem like they could be great friends. Plus, we’re all in the same industry, so we likely have a lot in common. Sloan is stunning, the kind of girl anyone would find breathtakingly beautiful.

The only person who doesn’t seem to realize how attractive Sloan is, is Sloan herself. She’s inspiring and strong. She makes me want to be a better person, which I need. I tend to lose interest and forget things easily.

Carly, on the other hand, has a subtle beauty. She’s not just the girl next door. Her face is unique. Her heart-shaped lips and deep blue eyes compete for attention, while her freckles and button nose add to her charm.

She’s shy and reserved, but I sense there’s more to her once you get to know her. I want to be friends with her because I think we could understand each other. Neither of us seems as confident as Sloan. Maybe we can learn from her together.

So, when Sloan invited me to her wedding, I was all in. The question is, what do I wear to a wedding where most people will know I’m the heiress of a fashion empire? I always feel the need to impress at social events.

I don’t hide my family background, but I do tend to downplay my last name when meeting new people. My mother, Margot Dubois, is a role model for aspiring fashionistas worldwide. She built her company from scratch while in design school and has become a household name.

Sometimes, I think people forget that Dubois is a person, not just a brand.

After rummaging through my wardrobe, I decide on a vintage Dubois dress. I style it my way with a thick gold belt, a crisp white shirt underneath, and a strand of pearls. I feel invincible.

Once I’ve tamed my long brown hair and applied some natural-looking makeup, I gloss my lips and head to my car. Sloan said not to bring anything, but I know she can’t resist a vintage Dubois bag, especially in LILAC’s shade of purple. I’ve wrapped it up for her.

I’ve never met Kade, her soon-to-be husband, but I’ve heard about him. He’s a rising star in the music industry with a large online following. My mother says he’ll be happy as long as his new wife is, but I still picked out a watch with a rocker vibe for him.

People often say I’m too nice, but it’s because I want everyone to like me. I know some people find me odd and even dismissive. It’s because I have ADHD, but not in the way people typically think.

I have inattentive type ADHD, which means I struggle in social situations. People think I’m not paying attention, but in reality, my mind isn’t always capable of doing that. Picking out gifts is something I enjoy, and it helps people see that I care for them. I guess it’s my love language.

On my way to the wedding, my GPS guides me out of the city to the outskirts, where the old money resides. I had no idea Sloan came from money, but it makes sense. Without some help, it’s rare to reach her position at such a young age, even with dedication.

As I pull up to the grand manor house, I take a moment to appreciate its magnificence. The long driveway gives me plenty of time to take it all in.

I expected to run into some familiar faces today, but I didn’t anticipate being in the middle of a high society party. Regardless, I’m not one to shy away. I hand my keys to the valet and make my way to the front door.

I knock twice, hoping someone is paying attention. A curly-haired older woman opens the door and greets me with a smile.

“Hi, I’m Abbot, a friend of Sloan’s,” I say, returning her smile.

“Of course. I think all the girls are waiting for you. I’m Carol, Kade’s mother. Please, come in.”

I follow Carol into a beautifully decorated foyer, then up the stairs. When she opens a door, I’m greeted by a room full of girls my age, all fussing over Sloan. She looks stunning, like a Grecian princess with her hair braided into a crown.

“Wow, Sloan, you look gorgeous. What are you going to wear?” I ask, taking her in.

“Honestly, I haven’t decided yet…maybe you can help me?” Sloan replies with a timid smile.

That’s when I lock eyes with Carly, and we seem to have the same idea. After making Sloan try on all her dress options, we help her select the best one. She looks like a true Grecian goddess in the one-shoulder gown we chose.

She keeps pointing out her tiny baby bump, which I only notice because she keeps drawing attention to it. That little bundle in her belly is probably part of the reason she looks so radiant today, but I understand her concern about her appearance on her wedding day.

By the time we’ve finished preparing Sloan for her walk down the aisle, I feel like I’ve known Kade’s sisters, Priya and Rhea, for ages. The relaxed atmosphere makes me feel like this is a truly joyous occasion.

Everyone seems to fully support Kade and Sloan, and it’s uplifting to be surrounded by such positivity. Priya and Rhea have been so focused on Sloan that they’ve forgotten to get ready themselves.

Carly and I feel a bit out of place since we’re not part of the wedding party. We decide to give them some sister time and head outside to mingle with the other guests while everyone gets dressed for the wedding.

As we venture into the backyard, it’s hard to ignore the crowd of attractive people, mostly men, in blue suits. I’m relieved I chose to wear navy today; otherwise, I’d stick out like a sore thumb.

Is that a dad? I find myself thinking. Even the older men are handsome. But then my eyes land on a blond-haired, blue-eyed man who looks like a full-course meal, and he’s all I can think about. ~God, he’s gorgeous.~

Just as I’m about to make a fool of myself, Carly interrupts my thoughts.

“Abbot, have you met Sloan’s fiancé yet?”

“I haven’t officially met him, but I’ve heard of him,” I reply, my eyes still scanning the crowd for my potential hookup.

I’m good at short-term relationships. I can attract men easily, but keeping them is another story. Once they see my quirks and my apartment filled with lists, they tend to bolt.

I understand it’ll take a special kind of man to handle all of me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun while I search for him.

“What about all these other people?” Carly asks, her gaze sweeping over the yard.

“I have no idea, but have you seen these guys? I think tonight’s going to be fun,” I say, hoping Carly will agree to be my wingwoman.

But as I expected, Carly is more reserved.

“Wow, you’re brave. I’m not good at putting myself out there,” she admits, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.

“Just stick with me, kid. I’ll show you the ropes.”