Empty Net

Audrey knew; they’d had this conversation at least a hundred times. “Yes, Fallon, but you look hot. It shows a lot more skin than the mermaid-style dress. That one is just tight, this one shows boobs and lower back. I mean, what more do you need?”


Fallon nodded, as she always did, then went back to the dressing room to put on the other dress. They had done this so many times, Audrey should know the exact moment Fallon would come out again. Audrey wasn’t paying attention, though, because she was too busy playing on her phone. She knew she had to keep busy, because if she didn’t, she would think about Blondie.

Thankfully, just then Fallon came back out in the second dress. It was an off-white strapless dress that hugged her curves until right below her knees. Then it went into a big puffy mess. It was pretty, especially the champagne sash that wrapped around her waist, but it did nothing for Audrey. Or Fallon. It was hot, but it wasn’t something that she thought Fallon would be proud of in thirty years when she looked back at the wedding pictures.

“I like the way this one looks on my hips,” Fallon started as she cocked her head to the side, looking herself over.

“But …?” Audrey repeated.

Fallon shot her a grin before saying, “But I don’t like the way it makes my boobs look like they are nonexistent.”

“You can get a push-up bra,” Audrey said, playing along. But her heart wasn’t in it.

“What’s wrong with you?” her sister asked, shooting her a concerned look.

“Fallon, we must’ve done this a hundred times this week. I’m over it. Pick a dress. You’re gonna look hot in anything.”

Fallon narrowed her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “No, something is wrong, what is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar, it’s something. Tell me.”

Audrey shook her head. “No, I’m good, just pick a dress.”

Fallon eyed her before saying, “I’ll pick a dress if you tell me.”

Audrey perked up. “Really? And I’ll never have to come back?”

Fallon giggled. “Not until we come for your wedding dress.”

As if.

Audrey pushed that thought away. She didn’t want to tell Fallon that she and Levi had broken up. Again. She knew Fallon was going to be ecstatic. It was bad enough that Levi was probably happy he left; she didn’t need to see the happiness on her sister’s face.

But then again, she really was beginning to hate this store.

“Okay. Levi left me.”

Fallon’s eyes went wide as her mouth fell open. Her eyes filled with excitement as she started to bounce a little. A bright grin came across her face and she came toward Audrey, then wrapped her up in her arms.

“Don’t look too excited, Fal,” Audrey muttered against her shoulder. Fallon pulled back, a bright smile still on her face. Audrey looked down and started picking at the rip in her jeans.

“Oh, sorry.”

She looked up to see Fallon had dropped her grin, but not the smile in her eyes. “You still look happy.”

Her sister giggled. “Oh, I am. This is better than picking a dress, honestly.”

Audrey rolled her eyes. “I did love him, you know.”

“Ah, whatever, he was the king of all douches. No big loss … on to bigger and better things.”

Audrey let out a frustrated breath. “I don’t agree, but that’s beside the point—pick a dress.”

Fallon did a little hop. “In a minute! When can I start fixing you up? You need a date for the wedding!”

“No, I don’t, Aiden is my date,” Audrey said. She loved her nephew like he was hers, and he would be the best date ever. They used to be best friends, but then Lucas came into their lives. For as much as Lucas had taken from Audrey, one would think she would hate him, but she didn’t. She couldn’t because he was the best.

“Oh well, you’ll need adult action at my wedding,” Fallon gushed, clapping her hands. She could barely move in the dress she had on. Another reason she should pick the lace one, Audrey thought. “Let me hook you up with Phillip Anderson. Number thirteen, total hottie. Bright blue eyes, dirty blond hair, total hunk.”

Audrey raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, Levi just left.”

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