“So I was thinking us girls would head to the market, maybe do a little shopping if you guys wanted to hit the slopes for a few hours,” Morgan says as we all gather around the charming breakfast nook. Everyone nods in approval, while I internally cringe.
“Sounds like a great idea,” Jared remarks. “Give you girls a chance to gab about us.”
“Well, we sure wouldn’t have much to say then,” I retort coolly.
“Burn!” James laughs. “Guess she told you!” The rest of the gang chuckles along.
“Alright, alright, throw in your share for groceries and booze so we can get going,” Morgan says with an open palm. The guys fish out their wallets and pull out twenty dollar bills.
“Oh, it’s ok, honey. I’ve got it,” Aurora says to Jared. They engage in a whispered conversation, Jared ensuring her that he can pay. Finally he gives in with a shrug and stuffs the bills back into his pocket.
We drop the guys off with their snowboards and gear and head into town. It feels odd being able to wear our winter coats and snow boots in April but I don’t mind. The air is crisp and fresh and the sun is bright and warm. Being this high up on the mountain makes it feel like July in wintertime.
“Those boots are hot, Aurora!” Morgan gushes. We’re strolling along the supermarket aisles, grabbing all the essentials.
Aurora extends her leg, giving us a better view of her burgundy and leopard print fur ankle-length heeled boot. I have to admit, they are pretty cute. The slore does have good taste.
“Oh these old things? Just my friend Alexander McQueen,” she winks. “But you are workin’ those Michael Kors boots, Morgan. Very nice on you.” Aurora then turns to me. “So who are you wearing, Gabriella?”
I shrug and give Aurora an easy smile. “Timberland,” I say flatly, extending my own leg to show off the tall tan lace up wedge boot.
“Humph, well…they’re cute on you,” Aurora says, struggling to recover. Her hope was to embarrass me. Little does she know, I’m fluent in Asshole.
After grabbing enough food and alcohol to sustain us for the weekend, we decide to check out some of the high end boutiques. The price tags are outrageous, and I scan the sales racks in hopes of something in my modest price range.
“Oooh, Gabs, this would look hot on you!” Morgan squeals holding up a white long sleeve mini dress. Black piping creates a keyhole design in the front and the sleeves are see-through mesh. I check the price tag. It’s nearly $500. I give Morgan an alarmed look, not wanting to disclose my money woes with Aurora lurking nearby.
“Don’t worry about it,” she whispers. “I’ll charge it and then you can just pay me back whenever you start making those big bucks at your new job.” She gives me a wink and I respond with a grateful smile.
“Oh wow, Morgan! Where did you find that beauty?” Aurora says approaching us, pointing at the dress.
“It’s for Gabs, actually. She’s getting it.” Morgan looks to me and beams. “Girl, Dorian is going to eat you alive once he sees you in this!”
The look on Aurora’s face is priceless, and I have half as mind to point and laugh. But that would be too much like something she would do. I follow Morgan to the shoe section where she finds the perfect pair of pumps to go with the dress, insisting that I can’t live without them. Once she’s found a few items for herself, we head to the register. Aurora is sure to grab just about every sexy dress in the store, and isn’t shy about whipping out her platinum credit card. I refuse to give her the response she seeks for her pretentiousness. I guess it’s true that money can’t buy class.
“So we have an hour before we have to leave for Cecilia’s. We have reservations so don’t be late!”
We’ve gathered the guys, all in one piece to our surprise, and are back at the house. Morgan has again coordinated our events for the evening. We all quickly disperse to shower and dress for dinner and dancing. I’m excited to get out though my heart is heavy that Dorian isn’t here.
In honor of him, I opt to wear the blue dress I bought at the mall before all hell broke loose. He said that my friends would be safe. He told me not to worry about the killer. What happened was too close for comfort. The Warlock was right there in that store with us. If it weren’t for my uncanny sense to detect the threat, Morgan and I would have been slaughtered.
A tap on the door breaks me from my deliberations, and Jared enters cautiously. It’s odd, feeling so disconnected from him. We’ve hardly spoken the entire trip and just weeks ago we were planning to spend just about every waking moment together. It’s hard to believe I used to consider him my closest, most intimate friend. Now it’s like I’m looking at stranger, standing before me in designer jeans, a crisp white shirt, dark blazer, and Italian leather shoes. What happened to my Jared?