It takes me a moment, but then it hits me. “A snow bunny. Cute. The tail is a nice touch.”
She waggles the fluffy pom-pom on her butt. “I thought so.”
Her friends arrive bearing shot glasses. All of them are similarly decked out as sexy snow bunnies.
“You didn’t tell me there was a group theme.” I try to keep the hurt out of my voice as Fern hands me a snowball shot.
Fern clinks her tiny glass to mine. “You’re always busy with work. I didn’t want you to feel like you had to make a costume.”
She knocks back the shot and I follow suit. It’s minty, with a hint of chocolate, and it slides down my throat with a cool burn, leaving me tingling and sort of edgy. Or maybe it’s just Fern’s words that set me off.
Sure, Iambusy and I’mnotcrafty, but shit, I could’ve bought something. Not that I particularlywantto dress like Beach Mode Cruella de Vil in the middle of December, but it would’ve been nice to be included instead of feeling, once again, like Fern’s boring lawyer friend.
I glance around at the mass of sweaty, writhing, mostly bare bodies surrounding us. “I just didn’t realize there was a dress code.”
She frowns. “What do you mean? You look great.”
“I look like I came from my office Christmas party.” I don’t know why I’m belaboring the issue. Short of stripping down to my underwear, there’s nothing I can do about it.
But Fern squints as she scans me up and down. Then her face brightens, and she digs around in her purse. A moment later, she slaps something into my hand. “Here. Try this.”
It’s a coiled string of tiny LED lights.
“Who are you, Mary Fucking Poppins?”
She just laughs. “Put them on.”
“Um . . . how?”
“You know, just ...” She makes a vague swirling motion with her fingers. “Wrap them around yourself like you’re a sexy Christmas tree.”
I examine the white plastic battery pack attached to the end of the lights. “Where am I supposed to hide this? My dress doesn’t have pockets.”
She taps my chest, right between my boobs.
“But I’m not wearing a bra!”
“Good, they’re a tool of the patriarchy.”
“No, I mean, it’s going to fall out.”
Fern snorts. “Not with your magnificent tits. Tuck it in and you’ll see.”
I have my doubts, but I slide the plastic case into my cleavage while Fern winds the string of lights around my upper body. When she’s done, she steps back as much as she’s able toand studies her handiwork. “Perfect. I should send a picture to Ev so he sees what he’s missing.”
I groan at the mention of Everett. “Please don’t.”
She winces. “You’re right. My idiot brother doesn’t deserve to see you like this.”
Okay, yes, it is alittleawkward to be besties with my ex’s younger sister. But despite being a chaos demon who lives to stir shit up, Fern has always had my back. For instance, after she found out Everett was cheating on me with one of his fans, she forced him to tell me the truth. That’s what gave me the kick in the ass to do what I should’ve done ages ago.
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since then.
No.No more thinking about Everett. I look amazing, and Iwillenjoy myself tonight, goddamn it.
After a quick adjustment to the lights spiraling up my arms, I grab Fern’s hands and we dance like our lives depend on it.
And you know what? It’sfun.
