Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

“She cancelled,” Farah muttered, now looking at bridesmaid dresses.

“Fuck her!” Bailey squawked. “The bitch is out of the wedding!”

Hiding her hurt, Farah shrugged. “She had something to do.”

“Don’t be a doormat, Farah,” Bailey grunted. “That bitch is all into herself. Screw that shit. You’d be here for her stupid dress shopping. Dump Skye and find another bridesmaid.”

“Why do I need another one?”

“Cooper already decided how many dudes he’s having. You need enough chicks to walk with them. Duh.” When I frowned at Bailey, she added, “You look pretty today, Farah.”

Everyone laughed then Jodi stepped up to Farah. “Don’t worry about the bridesmaid dresses yet. Just pick what you want for yourself. It’s your day. Who cares what the rest of these dipshits wear?”

“Hey, Mom,” Bailey whined.

“You and Maddy can check out those dresses while Farah focuses on Farah.”

“What about Tawny?” Bailey asked, grabbing my hand. “Can I take her with me?”

“No,” Jodi said, pulling me away. “She should help her sister.”

Bailey opened her mouth to complain then shut it and walked away as if she wasn’t pissed.

“Look at her learning shit,” Jodi said, grinning before turning to us. “Farah, focus on you today. Take your time to narrow down your choices to a few dresses then you can think it over. The wedding isn’t for months, so don’t stress this. It’s supposed to be fun.”

Farah nodded. “I’m nervous.”

“Nothing happens today,” Jodi insisted. “I wouldn’t let you buy a dress today, even if you begged. We’re just looking.”

Smiling easier now, Farah nodded. “New stuff still stresses me out.”

“All brides get weird. My sister turned into one of those Bridezilla bitches and knifed her best friend. Weddings make people nuts, but it’ll be fine. We have time to make everything just the way you and Coop want, so have fun.”

Taking Farah’s hand, we walked to the dressing rooms with the salesclerk who brought the dresses. I was careful to avoid the wall of mirrors as I waited for Farah to try on the dresses. The first few were pretty, but not shockingly so.

Yet when Farah appeared in the third dress, I gasped at the sight of her. Jumping up, I couldn’t believe how stunning she looked.

“You look like a princess.”

“Do you think it’s too much?”

Shaking my head, I was in awe of her beauty. I turned to look at her reflection, saw my smiling face, and flinched away. Farah immediately pulled me closer.

“You are so beautiful, Tawny. One day, I hope you can see that.”

“I just hate my smile.”

“I know,” she soothed, caressing my cheeks. “One day, maybe you won’t.”

“Maybe. I really like this dress on you,” I said, forcing a smile. “You look amazing.”

“I feel like someone else. Do you think it’s pompous?”

“Stop with the pompous shit,” Jodi said, having gone out for a smoke break. “You’re marrying the prince of the damn town. You want to look good. Do you think Coop is worried about looking pompous?”

“No, but Coop doesn’t care what anyone thinks.”

“True. He wants you to be happy though, even if that means you’re pompous,” Jodi said then studied Farah. “If he sees you in this dress, he’s going to turn stupid. I like it.”

Even smiling, I felt edgy. “I’m going to go outside to get some air.”

Farah frowned. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“You’re wearing a wedding dress and it’s cold outside. I’ll be right back.”

I felt Farah’s eyes on me as I walked out the front door. The weather felt nearly winter, rather than autumn. Yet, the cold was good against my skin.

“What’s up?” Bailey asked, joining me.

“I’m feeling weird is all. Probably not good company.”

“I don’t care. Whatcha feeling weird about?”

“I’m just in a mood.”

“How come?”

Giving in because Bailey wasn’t giving up, I tried to explain. “Sometimes, I look at Cooper and Farah and the life they’re making and it seems perfect. Pristine like a sparking pool. Sometimes, I feel like I’m the turd dirtying their pool.”

“You shouldn’t talk about yourself like that. You’re great. I mean that too. I really like you and I don’t like a lot of girls. Even Farah gets on my nerves because she’s…well I don’t, but she just gets on my nerves. You don’t. You’re not a turd.”

“Maybe, but I hate my face.”

“You’re really pretty though.”

“Once, I looked in the mirror and saw something that made me realize I was a bad person. I just hate looking at my face now.”

“You’re not bad.”

“I try to hide it, but I’m nasty and wrong.”

Bailey hugged me against her. “Stop. You’re going to make me cry and I hate crying.”

Pushing the pain back down inside me, I focused on Farah waiting for me in the store.

“I’m sorry. I just feel sad sometimes.”