od. Rich, buttery, tempting... a

from my bedroom, voice hoarse fro

light but determined. "Go and freshen up, we

't want to go anywhere. Not today. Not anywhere. I just want... sl

ootsteps approaching. "Go fre

f my hotel room. My dress from last night was draped over the chair, still crumpled, my heels tucked beneath the TV stan

r: pale skin, mascara smudged under tired eyes, lips a dark mix of black and crimson from alcohol and anger. My ha

to the air like a protective cocoon. I tested it with my fingers, too hot

ound me, sinking into my bones, and for the first time since the church, I felt the tension in my shoulders begin to lo

the door broke t

ng sharp. Then a soft gas

she tapped my shoulder. "Wake

eks flushed from the heat. Iris stared, shocked, hands co

awake. "It...

slightly, the bathroom steamed like a cloud of comfort. I added a light spritz of cologne, wanting

ris announced, snappin

, searching for something to w

ark dress on my body. "That dickhead Rowan lost the beauty goddess

the outfit, adjusting folds, smoothing lines, making sure I looked

she said suddenly, dashing toward

shing my hair slightly, still damp from the tub. Iris turned, opening her arms for me. "You're going

to her warmth, letting the y

sses dark against the sun and the paparazzi lenses waiting out

ully polished exterior

n as Iris chatted softly about nothing and everything, I c

new I was begi