Lila set the book aside and quickly returned to her closet. Why was she standing around feeling helpless? Sure, this idea was way out of her comfort zone, but she’d lived a passive life letting others dictate her happiness far too long. She could depend on Whit to end the situation…or she could fight fire by starting a little blaze of her own.
It was time to take action.
She dug in the back until she found a dress she hadn’t worn in years, if ever. It was one she’d ordered on a whim on a day when she’d felt frumpy and wanted to impress Aaron. When the package came and she’d tried the garment on, she quickly realized the outfit was outside her comfort zone.
But now, the form-fitting dress might be just the thing, especially with the low-cut bodice.
After ripping off the sundress and tossing it on her bed, she pulled the tight fabric up and struggled with the zipper. After successfully closing the back, she took a look at herself in the floor-length mirror attached to her bedroom door.
She frowned.
Clearly, the dress was styled for someone far more endowed. Someone like Candy Faye, she thought as she scrambled to her dresser. She pulled out the top drawer and rifled through her intimate garments until her hand landed on a particular piece of lingerie.
Lila grinned and headed for the bathroom where she exchanged her current bra for the new one. Still smiling, she unrolled a wad of toilet paper and filled the gap in the left cup, then the right.
With her hands, she pushed up both cups and glanced in the mirror. Satisfied, she zipped up her dress again, spritzed herself heavily with perfume, and headed downstairs.
Thanks to Roxie Steele and her novel, she now realized two could play this game.
Whit arrived right on time, pulling up in his blue pickup. Lila felt her heart lighten at the sight of him. He climbed out, his familiar grin spreading across his face as he walked towards her.
“Morning, beautiful,” he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. He leaned back and whistled. “Wow!”
“Morning,” Lila replied, smiling up at him. “Ready for the picnic?”
Whit chuckled. “Always. You know I can’t resist Mrs. Jenkins’ famous peach cobbler.”
Whit glanced around. “Where’s Camille?”
“She rode to the picnic with friends. We’ll meet her there.”
They climbed into the truck, and Lila felt a small weight lift off her shoulders. She looked like a million bucks, and Whit had appreciated her effort.
As they drove towards the park, she held Whit’s hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip. She glanced over at him, appreciating his easy smile and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. The scenic route to the park was lined with sunflowers, and Lila tried to let the beauty distract her from her worries.
The park was already bustling with activity when they arrived. Families were setting up picnic blankets, children were running around playing games, and the mouthwatering scent of grilled burgers and hot dogs filled the air.
Lila spotted Charlie Grace wheeling her dad, Clancy Rivers, towards a group of men chatting animatedly near the barbecue pit. She exchanged waves with them.
As she and Whit strolled hand in hand through the park, Lila felt a sense of contentment, despite being on the lookout for Candy Faye. According to Whit, his former girlfriend had yet to show up at his place. When she did, he promised to deal with the situation pronto.
“There won’t be any doubt where I stand,” he told her. “I’ll put an end to this…once and for all.”
She believed him and everything seemed perfect. That was until she heard the unmistakable click of boots on the pavement behind her. She turned to see Candy Faye Hutchison, her glamorous rival from Texas, making a beeline for them.
“Whit, honey, I didn’t expect to see you here. Remember when we used to go to picnics back in Texas together?” Candy Faye’s voice dripped with honeyed nostalgia as she ignored Lila’s presence entirely.
Lila’s grip on Whit’s hand tightened, her knuckles turning white. She forced a smile, though her insides flashed with irritation.
Whit’s jaw tightened. “That was a long time ago, Candy Faye. Things have changed.”
“Have they? Some things never change,” Candy Faye said with a smirk, her gaze locked on Lila.
The tension between the two women was palpable. Whit glanced nervously between them, sensing the brewing storm.
Candy Faye looked her up and down. “Love the outfit. Of course, the fit is a bit off, don’t you think.” She let her gaze drop to Lila’s bustline.
Whit stepped forward. “Look, the thing between us is over, Candy. You need to go home.”
