Tangled

129 Ava: Getting Ready

“Holy shit.” Staring at my reflection in Lisa’s full–length mirror, the transformation is amazing.

Lisa’s jeans hug my curves like they were made for me, accentuating the newfound definition of my legs. I twist, admiring how my butt looks. Damn. Jericho’s torture sessions are paying off.

Lisa grins at me from her perch on the bed,

surrounded by a sea of discarded tops. “See? I told you we’re basically the same size now.”

I run my hands over my hips, marveling at the fit. “I’ve always been too big for your clothes. This is wild.” Ever since I took over the meals and grocery shopping, the one luxury I’d ever been able to afford was eating a little extra. It translated to a smidgen of extra padding and a little tummy flub. Running from the pack burned

off the rest of it.

“Well, get used to it, babe. We’re going to be trading clothes all the time now.” Lisa tosses a silky black top at me. “Try this one with it.”

I catch the top and slip it over my head, shimmying a

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129 Ava: Getting Roady

little to get it past my chest. The fabric drapes just right, skimming my body in all the perfect places. I stare at myself, hardly recognizing the girl in the mirror.

“Damn, Ava. You look hot,” Lisa says, coming to stand beside me. She bumps her hip against mine. “Lucas will go wild if he sees you in this. Maybe we should dress you in a potato sack when we leave so he doesn’t come flying back to bring you home.”

My cheeks warm at the mention of Lucas. “I’m not dressing up for him,” I mutter, fiddling with the hem of

the top.

Lisa rolls her eyes. “Yes, yes, I know. It isn’t like he’s here. But you’re going to end up sending him a picture, aren’t you? Just–wait until later. So he doesn’t crash the party.”

I glance down at the black top and jeans. Sending a selfie hadn’t even crossed my mind, but maybe she has a point. “Black looks good on everyone. It’s a classic.”

“Uh–huh. Keep telling yourself that.” Lisa winks at me before turning to rifle through her jewelry box. “Here, these will complete the look.”

279

120 Ava: Gotting Ready

me a pair of silver hoop earrings and a delicate pendant necklace. I put them on, letting the pendant nestle

staring back at me looks confident, sexy, ready to take on the world. A far cry from the timid,

I’ve been

do a

I look?”

from where she’s lounging on Lisa’s rug.

to Lisa, moving to flop onto the bed. “Let’s see what scandalous

“Kellan isn’t even on my radar.

Oh! I have just the thing. He won’t be able to take

to look.” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

course she

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39

Ava: Getting

dress, a rainbow of colors and sequins. This is nice, the two of us getting ready. No drama, no life–or–death

words, my missing family, my newfound powers, the unresolved tension with Lucas

I think this is the one.” Lisa emerges from the closet, holding up a slinky red

can pull off, and I whistle. “Kellan’s the one we’re going to have to worry

he has

permission,” I agree,

into the dress. It clings to her like a

is on the prowl” I

17:50 —

Getting Ready

me in front

taking in our reflections. Me in my sleek black ensemble, her in her va–va–voom red dress. We look good. Powerful.

maybe a little

eyes meet mine in the mirror, and we

let’s try this again.” Lisa dives back into her closet. “You’re fine, but we can try a simple crop top instead.

me a second.”

through the air, landing in my hands with a soft thump. On Lisa’s orders, I switch it out with the black shirt. Pulling it over my head, I adjust the hem as it settles

her hip

chic, her dark hair falling in soft waves,

Ava: Getting Ready

curling iron earlier.

Lisa sits me down to finish my makeup, fiddling with some eyeliner as my eyes twitch

dabs on some lip gloss, her

My gaze drops to my feet, bare against the plush carpet. Every pair of shoes I own are either

I wiggle my toes. “I don’t

that will work with this outfit.”

any