Chapter 31: Chapter 31

AVERY

The moment I clock out at the clinic, it’s time to gear up for Olive’s notorious annual Halloween party. Normally, this event is a source of dread for me. Olive likes to lean heavily into sexy over spooky, with costumes that are more lingerie than anything else.

But this year, I’m feeling more confident, more comfortable in my own skin, and I want to fully participate. That’s why I’ve asked Olive to help me find something totally out of my comfort zone to wear.

I want to turn heads. I want to make people do a double, no, a triple take when they see me. Maybe even cause a few spit takes.

As expected, Olive delivers. She saunters into my bedroom, a scarlet bag from the city’s finest lingerie boutique in hand.

“Ho, ho, ho. Olive Claus is here, and I’ve got a bag full of goodies that’ll turn you into a ho, ho, ho.”

I laugh, rubbing my hands together in anticipation. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

“The moment you peek inside,” she replies with a chuckle, handing me the bag. “Just remember, you asked for this.”

I slowly open it, sifting through layers of pink tissue paper. My fingers find black lace. It’s a bustier of some sort. I take it to the bathroom and slip into it.

A plunging neckline accentuates my chest, and the lace-up detail that runs down my stomach gives little glimpses of skin. Sheer panels on each side highlight the slender curve of my waist. The bottom of the garment features a built-in garter belt, with little black satin bows perched over each thigh.

The matching panties are a bit cheekier than I’d prefer, barely covering my ass, but at least Olive didn’t choose a thong. A pair of thigh-highs are the last thing in the bag.

I sit on the edge of the tub to put them on. They glide up my smooth legs effortlessly, and I clip the garter straps to the tops of them.

I stand and peer at the mirror as I slip on a pair of heels. A thrill races through me as I check out my reflection.

I don’t see myself. I see a vixen. A sultry temptress clad in black lace who knows what she wants and how to get it. I’ve never felt more confident.

~I look good~.

“How’s it going in there?” Olive says, knocking on the door.

I open it and step out, arms spread wide. Olive gasps, her jaw dropping as I give her a slow spin.

“I’m a genius. There’s no other explanation. My brilliance knows no bounds.” She covers her mouth with her hands, her eyes gleaming with admiration. “Avery fucking Morris, you are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. You’re blinding me, seriously.”

I giggle and do a little shimmy. “Yeah, you think?”

“Yes! The guys at the party tonight won’t know what hit them. Poor Reed doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

A flash of guilt goes through me at the mention of Reed. I didn’t invite him to the party tonight. After what happened at the gala, I wasn’t sure a lingerie party with him was the best of ideas. And I’m still a little upset that he used me to make his dream girl jealous.

She pulls out her phone and starts snapping pictures.

“Olive, what are you doing?” I ask, alarmed.

“Showing him,” she replies, dashing out of the room before I can stop her.

I chase after her.

“Olive, don’t send those photos!” I yell, but it’s too late.

She stops at the couch, showing me her screen.

“Sent.”

My stomach churns.

“Why would you do that?” I ask, stunned.

She just smiles and pats my arm. “I wouldn’t. I sent a message to my mom. I just felt like running. Now come on, we’ve got to finish getting ready. The guests will be here in an hour.”

***

Olive works her magic on my hair, transforming my usual wavy locks into voluminous curls that tumble down my back. The headpiece I wore to the gala goes on top of my head before she tackles my makeup.

She applies gold liquid shadow to my eyelids, and then draws sharp lines with black eyeliner, winging it out at the corners for a dramatic cat eye. She dusts glitter and silver confetti across my cheekbones and spritzes my cleavage with glitter perfume.

“Perfect.” She kisses her fingers like a chef and turns me to face the mirror.

“Whoa.”

“Yes, whoa. Now, I’ve got exactly twenty minutes to get ready. Go set up the snacks,” she orders, giving my rear a playful smack to get me moving.

Olive doesn’t take long to change. She strolls into the kitchen as I’m filling bowls with chips and setting up the bar.

“What do you think?”

She spreads her arms wide, showcasing a daring black outfit that’s somewhat similar to mine. But hers is entirely sheer.

Her bustier is practically transparent, its plunging V-neck highlighting her ample cleavage. Black satin straps crisscross over the mesh, converging at her stomach like a star. Two thin strips of fabric barely prevent her nipples from being completely exposed. And naturally, she’s wearing a thong.

It’s so Olive.

“You look amazing, Oli. Really.”

She beams. “I know.”

The only thing left to do is decorate. We hang orange-and-purple garlands around the living room, place jack-o’-lanterns everywhere, and rearrange the furniture to create a dance floor.

Olive starts the spooky playlist, turning down the lights just as the guests start to arrive. Devon is among the first. He slips out of his coat and is wearing nothing but a pair of black silk shorts and a tie. He does a double take when he sees me.

“Avery?”

I smile, already enjoying the attention my new outfit is attracting. “In the flesh.”

Olive breezes by. “You can thank me. I dressed her.”

Devon chuckles, glancing briefly at Olive, but he doesn’t react to her outfit like I thought he would. In fact, he doesn’t seem interested in what she’s wearing at all.

~I guess getting turned down really killed his crush on her.~

“She is quite the treat, isn’t she?” Olive hugs me tightly and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m waiting for someone.”

“Excuse me?” I say, grabbing her arm to stop her. “And who exactly are you waiting for, Olive?”

The grin on her face says it all. “Casey. I invited him last night before you got home from your thing with Reed.”

Devon stiffens.

“I’m going to grab a drink. Want anything, Avery?” he asks.

I shake my head, hardly noticing as he disappears into the kitchen.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She shrugs. “I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. We started talking after the engagement dinner.”

“I’m sorry, you what?”

“Avery, please don’t make a big deal out of this,” she sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “He’ll be here soon.”

“I won’t. I promise. What did you tell him to wear?”

“I told him to dress for bed,” she says with a playful grin.

And dress for bed he does. When Casey walks in a little later, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a T-shirt, he quickly realizes he’s overdressed. He spots Olive and heads over, not acting even a little shy about it as he checks her out.

“You said to dress for bed, Olive,” he says when he stops beside her. “These people are not dressed for bed.”

“Sure they are,” Olive says, winking. “There’s lots of fun things to do in bed besides sleep, Casey.”

Casey’s mouth twitches as he takes her in, his beautiful blue eyes growing stormy. He peels off his T-shirt, tossing it on the back of the couch.

“You wear that to sleep in?” he asks, giving her another once-over.

“I play in it,” she says, taking his hand. “Come on. Let’s dance.”

She pulls him toward the dance floor, their faces bathed in the eerie purple lights as they move deeper into the crowd. I shake my head in disbelief.

~Olive wanting more than just a bit of fun? I never thought I’d see it.~

I watch the two of them sway for a moment, a weird feeling coming over me as my thoughts shift to Reed. Suddenly, I wish I had invited him. I retreat to my bedroom, the music becoming fainter as I close the door and lie down on my bed.

For a while, I just stare at the ceiling and listen to the beat of the sexy R&B song playing in the living room.

~Versace on the floor~.

I smile. It’s one of the ones from the playlist I made for Reed.

My phone chirps with a message.

Reed

Hey

Reed

Sorry about last night. I wasn’t using you. I’d never do that to you.

Reed

What are you up to tonight?

A devilish Avery whispers wicked suggestions in my ear.

~Show him. Snap a picture of yourself and send it to him. Blow his mind. Make him ache for you.~

The idea is oh-so tempting, but I chicken out.

Avery

Olive and I are throwing a Halloween party.

Reed

That sounds fun. Can I drop by?

I glance down at my scantily clad body.

~Do it. Say yes, ~devilish Avery chants.

Olive bursts into my room just as I’m about to respond.

“What are you doing in here?” she asks, eyes flicking down to my phone. “Doesn’t matter. Come on, we’re playing a game.”

She comes over, taking it from my hand and tugging me to my feet.

“What kind of game?” I ask, reaching for my phone.

“Truth or dare.”

She holds it out, spinning me around and smacking my bottom to get me to head for the door. I turn, catching her as she tosses my phone back onto my bed. There’s a mischievous smile on her face as she puts her hands on my shoulders and pushes me into the hall.

~Did she see the text message from Reed? Crap, did she send something back?~

“Okay, we’re all set,” Olive says as we walk into the kitchen, hopping onto the counter and waiting for me to join her. “I’m going first.”

Her gaze sweeps over the people clustered around the kitchen island, finally landing on Casey.

“Casey, truth or dare?”

“I’m terrified of what an Olive dare might be,” he says with a chuckle. “Truth.”

“Do you think I’m hot?”

“Didn’t I make that clear already?” Casey asks, a sly smile on his face. “No.”

Olive feigns shock. “Don’t lie, Casey. You know you want me.”

He laughs and raises his hands in defeat. One of Devon’s friends is next. He glances around the group, before his green-eyed gaze lands on me.

“Avery, truth or dare?”