LILAC Sisterhood 5: Quirk
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Amber Rose
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ABBOT
Book 5: Quirk
The moment I met Sloan Kennedy and Carly Anderson earlier this week, Iāve been itching to see them again. Weāre teaming up to plan a grand event, a collaboration between our fashion companies.
Itās 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, weāre 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 doesnāt seem to realize how attractive Sloan is, is Sloan herself. Sheās 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. Sheās 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.
Sheās shy and reserved, but I sense thereās 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 Iām the heiress of a fashion empire? I always feel the need to impress at social events.
I donāt 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 Iāve 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 canāt resist a vintage Dubois bag, especially in LILACās shade of purple. Iāve wrapped it up for her.
Iāve never met Kade, her soon-to-be husband, but Iāve heard about him. Heās a rising star in the music industry with a large online following. My mother says heāll 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 Iām too nice, but itās because I want everyone to like me. I know some people find me odd and even dismissive. Itās 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 Iām not paying attention, but in reality, my mind isnāt always capable of doing that. Picking out gifts is something I enjoy, and it helps people see that I care for them. I guess itās 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, itās 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 didnāt anticipate being in the middle of a high society party. Regardless, Iām 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.
āHi, Iām Abbot, a friend of Sloanās,ā I say, returning her smile.
āOf course. I think all the girls are waiting for you. Iām Carol, Kadeās mother. Please, come in.ā
I follow Carol into a beautifully decorated foyer, then up the stairs. When she opens a door, Iām 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.
āWow, Sloan, you look gorgeous. What are you going to wear?ā I ask, taking her in.
āHonestly, I havenāt decided yetā¦maybe you can help me?ā Sloan replies with a timid smile.
Thatās 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 weāve finished preparing Sloan for her walk down the aisle, I feel like Iāve known Kadeās 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 itās uplifting to be surrounded by such positivity. Priya and Rhea have been so focused on Sloan that theyāve forgotten to get ready themselves.
Carly and I feel a bit out of place since weāre 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, itās hard to ignore the crowd of attractive people, mostly men, in blue suits. Iām relieved I chose to wear navy today; otherwise, Iād 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 heās all I can think about. God, heās gorgeous.
Just as Iām about to make a fool of myself, Carly interrupts my thoughts.
āAbbot, have you met Sloanās fiancĆ© yet?ā
āI havenāt officially met him, but Iāve heard of him,ā I reply, my eyes still scanning the crowd for my potential hookup.
Iām 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 itāll take a special kind of man to handle all of me, but that doesnāt mean I canāt have fun while I search for him.
āWhat about all these other people?ā Carly asks, her gaze sweeping over the yard.
āI have no idea, but have you seen these guys? I think tonightās going to be fun,ā I say, hoping Carly will agree to be my wingwoman.
But as I expected, Carly is more reserved.
āWow, youāre brave. Iām not good at putting myself out there,ā she admits, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
āJust stick with me, kid. Iāll show you the ropes.ā
