Alone Time–1
The car ride downtown is unbearable.
My shoulders are jammed between Aiden and Zaid in the backseat. I feel like I’m
suffocating, but I can’t pinpoint exactly why.
Aiden’s hand rests possessively on my thigh, and he squeezes my skin every time Zaid shifts beside me. I twist my lips, shifting my eyes to look at him. He looks different, but exactly the same.
His hair is longer, his eyes dark as he stares ahead. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his entire leg presses against mine.
Mother and Jake sit in the front, the silence between them thick and unnatural, which
only makes the entire space more insufferable.
I huff a breath, annoyed, and throw my head back until it rests on the seat.
Aiden leans in slightly, whispering, “You okay?”
I nod tightly and turn to him. “Fine.”
Zaid, on my other side, doesn’t say a word, but I can feel his gaze on me, burning like a low flame. He presses his leg harder into mine, and my spine shivers.
It’s maddening how much my body reacts to him, even as I remind myself that I’m with Aiden. My pulse races when his fingers brushes against my waist in the cramped space, and I curse myself for the warmth spreading through me.
Aiden watches me with narrowed eyes and then shifts to look around me and at his brother. “Can’t you scoot down?”
Zaid’s fingers go still on my waist. “I’d be out the fucking car if I move.”
“At least close your fucking knees-”
“Boys,” Jake calls from the front of the car. He looks into the rearview mirror, his eyes catching mine. “We’re almost there. Don’t want to hear another word.”
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Alone Time 1
I look away from the mirror, choosing to look out of Aiden’s window,
When we finally pull up to the bridal shop, I practically leap out of the car, grateful for Aiden’s hand as he helps pull me out. I breathe in the fresh air, my mind spinning from being enveloped in the scent of the three men that occupy my mind.
Mother gushes about how perfect everything is going to be as she takes Jake’s arm and leads us inside.
The shop is clean and glittering, with rows of dresses and suits lining the walls. A sales assistant greets us with a smile and starts handing out the preordered outfits as mother confirms the items.
“This shop is for your dress, Alina. We ordered the suits for the boys at another shop, Let’s go.” Mother practically digs her fingers into my arm as she pulls me toward the back of the shop.
I have no option but to follow her to the dressing room and slip inside. She sets the dress on the hook and looks me over with a raised eyebrow. “Did you bring a strapless bra?”
I scowl. “No.”
She rolls her eyes. “Just try it on without a bra. Jake and I are heading to the other shop. Tell the assistant what you need fixed and she’ll add it to our account.”
My jaw drops. “You’re leaving me here? You don’t want to see the dress?”
She laughs. “The only dress I care about is mine. Jake insisted on getting you a dress and suits for the boys.”
I purse my lips together, my hands shaking from the barely controlled anger rushing through me. She leaves, the door clicking behind her as I turn back to the dress in front of
- me.
My eyes widen as I take it in. It’s hanging from a hook beside the mirror, but even then I can tell it is backless.
“What the hell?” I whisper to myself.
Reluctantly, I shove off my pants and shirt before reaching back to unclip my bra. My skin
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Alone Time–1
breaks out in goosebumps from the chilly air, but I quickly shove my bra down my arms and breathe out a steady stream of air.
