Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Autumn

“ I officially feel like gelatin,” I say to Harper in the changing room at the spa. Three mimosas and a ninety-minute hot stone massage later and I’m ready to crawl into bed. My body hasn’t been this relaxed since…now is not the time to think dirty-as-fuck thoughts about Zane.

“Me too.” Harper smiles as she puts ChapStick on her plump lips. The woman makes athletic wear look like it should be on a runway.

Once I’m dressed, we walk toward the front of the building as Zen music floats through the space. “Before I forget to mention it, we’re attending a dinner party. Zane mentioned I need a dress.”

“Oh, when?”

“Tonight. Weston Calloway is hosting.”

“What?” She scowls. “And he didn’t invite me!”

“Crash it,” I say with a grin. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He seemed very…”

“Flirty?” Harper grins mischievously. “He is, but unfortunately unavailable to anyone who tries. Tonight, I’d rather wear stretchy pants and eat chocolate-covered peanuts while watching old seasons of Project Runway .”

I burst into laughter. “That actually sounds perfect.”

We climb into the SUV that’s parked and waiting for us.

“About the other night…I’m sorry for inviting Sebastian.”

“It’s fine. I’m not sure certain things would’ve happened had he not been there,” I tell her, leaving out the details.

“Oh, really? That’s great then. I did talk to him after you two left.” She hesitates. “He seems to be very much in love with you still. But I told him he was shit out of luck because my brother was marrying you.”

I chuckle. “He’s shit out of luck because he’s a cheating bastard.”

“That too. So, we need clothes for the island, a dinner party, and a few dates. Anything else?”

I think about it. “What about a ball gown for a charity formal I’d like to attend in Cozy Creek?”

“Absolutely. That sounds fun. Any boundaries? Certain materials or styles you dislike?”

“Nope. You have complete control.”

“Just how I like it. This will be just like dressing my Barbies.” She’s legitimately excited. “I do have to prepare you for some things, though.”

“Huh?”

“Zane’s ex. I don’t want you to be blindsided by her on the island and I’m positive he hasn’t shared much about her.”

I shake my head. “Not any redeeming qualities, at least.”

“She has none.” Harper is direct with her statement.

“He said the same thing.”

“It’s the truth. She doesn’t want my brother, but she also doesn’t want anyone else to have him either. Celine is a mean girl.”

I suck in a deep breath. “I’m dreading this.”

“Please don’t. You’re the perfect partner for Zane.” She glances at me. “I haven’t seen him this happy in years.” The car slows in front of a high rise building. We step out and I follow Harper.

“Ms. Alexander,” the woman at reception says. “We didn’t expect you in the office today.”

“Hi. Just stopping by for personal matters,” Harper states with a wave as she makes her way toward the elevator. It’s midday on a Monday and there are tons of people around. She’s kind and says hello to each person we pass. We ride up to the sixteenth floor and she escorts me into a room with mirrors and tape measures.

A man enters with a smile.

“Harper,” he says. “What a pleasure to see you.”

“Hello, Gentry. This is Autumn. She’s dating my brother. Anyway, I thought we could grab measurements then start a few dresses and pants suits. I’ll need them completed by the end of day Thursday. I’ll send an email with the styles I’d like made, along with the delivery address. Overnighted.”

“Absolutely.” He leads me to the platform and measures every inch of me, from my inseam to my waist to my head. Nothing is left unmeasured.

Once we’re finished, Harper takes me farther up the high rise and unlocks a door. The room is full of clothes on racks, coordinated by color and season.

“I believe everything in here will fit you, but based on your body shape, I’d like to handpick some items.” Harper moves through them, pulling out outfits and draping them over my arm. It's fascinating watching her work and being in her element.

“If there is anything that you see, feel free to add it to your pile.”

“Okay,” I say, giddy with excitement. She gives me cashmere, silk, and cotton in beautiful shades of the rainbow. Harper is a godsend.

“Oh, this for tonight.” She holds up an elegant dress that screams class. “These clothes were pitched by designers and worn at shows we’ve hosted. If you let me dress you, you’ll become a style icon.”

“You're my fairy godmother.”

She snorts. “Now that would be a fun job. Bippity boppity booping women and making their fashion dreams come true.”

More clothes are added to my arm and it's heavy.

“It’s also a test, too. I have a theory that Celine is a chameleon and imitates the personalities of the ladies my brother falls for.”

My brows furrow. “What the hell?”

“She was friends with the woman Zane dated prior to her, Diana. At times, it was hard to tell them apart and I thought they were sisters. So when the end came, Celine was there, forcing herself into his life. She copied my brother’s personality to trick his best friend. Bottom line: she’s manipulative and a fucking problem. I don’t want her alone with Zane. Please don’t let him leave your side at the resort this weekend.”

“Should I be scared?” I ask. “Is she dangerous?”

“I think she’s just obsessed,” Harper explains.

“I mean, I get why,” I tell her with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “Your brother is great.”

She nods. “And I think you’re the only woman he’s been with who’s recognized that.”

“How is that possible?”

“Because he’s actually himself when he’s with you.”

She flicks her fingers through a few more racks, handing me sweaters and high-waisted pants, then leads me to the corner of the room that opens up into a hallway with doors. “Let’s focus on finding you something to wear for tonight first.”

“Perfect.” I'm genuinely excited as I hang the fine fabrics on the hooks in the oversized dressing room.

Knowing actual models have stood back here has me shaking my head. How am I here right now, hanging out with Lucy, the girl I became besties with on a random October weekend?

I unzip the back of the first gown she handed me and wiggle inside. The sheer sleeves of the midi dress gives the style an elegant look with a hint of sexy from the split that reveals the upper thigh. Details are cut out under the bust. It’s classy and fits like it was personally made for my body. I stare at myself in the mirror, spinning around, amazed.

“Let me see,” Harper says.

I step out and give her my best mock runway strut. I catch a glint of the mesh material sparkling in the bright overhead lights.

“Wow. Yes, you absolutely have to wear this tonight. Oh, hold on.”

She runs to the other side of the room and returns with a pair of black high heels. “A nine?”

“Yeah,” I tell her, sliding my foot into them, which will make me three extra inches closer to Zane’s mouth.

“That’s the outfit. A total showstopper. Heads will turn when you enter. My only regret is not being there to witness it,” she says with a grin. “Don't try to talk me into it. Season four of Project Runway is calling my name.”

I change in and out of dresses and jumpers, loving every single thing she gave me. “These clothes were practically made for you. Geez, I want to put you on the runway.”

“Oh, stop. You're just being kind.”

After one final sweep, Harper and I load everything into garment bags then she gives the driver several addresses. For hours, we enter stores with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and thirty thousand dollar dresses on the walls.

Harper helps me pick out a few bathing suits too. It was a miracle anyone had stock, considering October is right around the corner. She doesn’t allow me to pay for a thing, even though I offer Zane’s card.

When we’re done, I’m ready to drop, but we make one last stop. It’s not a department store or a high rise building either, it’s a mansion on a street of beautiful homes.

“I called in a favor,” Harper says, unlocking her phone and checking the time. “Makeup and hair from one of the best in the city. You have exactly three hours before Weston’s party starts. I told my brother you’d meet him there.”

“I just got super nervous.”

“Do you trust me?” she asks.

“I do,” I tell her, because I have no idea how to navigate this world that I’ve somehow slid into. “Will you give me a rundown of what I need to expect? I feel lost.”

She gives me a sweet smile as she leads me down the cobblestone sidewalk. The door swings open and a beautiful man with gorgeous eye shadow appears.

“Harper, sweetie.” They exchange kisses on the cheek and Harper steps aside.

“Oliver,” she says. “You smell great. What is that?”

“Just a new scent that hasn’t been released yet. One of my clients dropped it off,” he says.

Harper grins wide. “This is Autumn. My future sister-in-law.”

“I’m Oliver.” His mouth falls open and he smiles wide, showing his perfect teeth. “Girl, you’re fucking beautiful. Those cheekbones and lips are to die for. What a canvas!”

I laugh and immediately feel comfortable.

“Right?” Harper agrees. “Even I’m jealous.”

“Stop,” I tell her with soft eyes and she shoots me a wink.

“If Zanie poo doesn’t marry you, maybe I will. Who am I kidding? I’m too gay for that. But I thought about it for a few seconds. That counts for something. Come on, don’t want the paps getting too many photos of you two,” he says, stepping aside and allowing us into his house.

“This is my bestie, April. She’ll take care of your hair and I’ll do the face,” he explains.

“Hello,” April says with a kind smile. Her hair, glasses, and lipstick are hot pink. It suits her.

The room is set up like a salon with mirrors and chairs, there is even a sink in the corner. There are pictures of Oliver with countless celebrities—Oprah, Adele, Beyonce, every Kardashian, and the list goes on.

“This is my trophy wall.” He watches my eyes slide over the selfies he’s taken with beautiful people. “Speaking of.”

Oliver snaps a photo of me, him, and Harper on his phone. After a click of a button, a tiny printer on the counter beside his tool chest of makeup spits out a picture. He peels the paper from the back and slaps us right beside Kylie. “Now, let’s get to work.”

April leads me over to the washing station and puts a thick robe over my body. Once I’m comfortable in the chair, she gets down to business. The water is loud and I can’t hear anything Oliver and Harper are saying.

With my eyes closed, I think about Zane and wonder what he’s doing today.

After my hair is washed and rinsed, April works her magic on my mop. The blow dryer is loud too. I’m not sure how much time passes, but when she’s done, I know my hair has never looked this good before and probably won’t ever again.

“Wow. You’re so talented,” I whisper, running my fingers through my silky strands.

She laughs. “Thank you.”

“Ready for your face?” Oliver asks. He already has everything set out and has already matched the foundation to my skin.

“Yes,” I say, and Oliver gets to work. Harper sits on the counter, swinging her legs as he asks me questions.

“So, what do you like to do for fun?”

“I run a lot. Watch horror movies. In the winter, I do some snowboarding.”

“You snowboard?” Harper asks, intrigued.

“How do you think I met Sebastian?” I ask with a smirk.

“You really are perfect for my brother,” she says, looking at me with amazement. “The actual real deal.”

I blush.

“You are. Start believing it.”

If she keeps it up, Harper might convince me it’s true.

Once my foundation is in place, Oliver draws fat lines on my face with a contour stick, then adds lightener. After he blends it all, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and my mouth falls open.

“This is artwork.”

“It’s the canvas, not the paint,” he says, lifting my chin upward. “Now close those eyes.”

“Have any predictions for me?” Oliver asks Harper, and I hear her giggle. “A deal is a deal,” he says.

“I have to focus,” Harper tells him, sucking in a deep breath. I’m not sure how much time passes; it feels like five minutes.

“You’ll meet someone who will change your life in unimaginable ways. Financially. Spiritually. Shit, you’re going to fall madly in love.”

“Please tell me he has a huge dick. I’m tired of mediocre men.”

“Same,” I mutter.

Harper bursts into laughter. “I can’t predict penis sizes.”

Then it grows silent again. Oliver stops working on my eyes and instructs me to open them. When I do, Harper stares at me, but her eyes are unfocused.

“You’re scared,” she says. “But you’ll say yes and it will be the greatest thing that’s ever happened to you. You’re his queen, the only woman who can sit beside him, not only as his wife, but as his equal. You’ve been waiting for confirmation that he’s the man in your dreams. He is and always has been. Twin flames. Mirrored souls.”

I glance at Oliver and his eyes are wide. This prophecy isn’t for him, it’s for me . Now I’m freaked the fuck out. I never told her about my dreams. Did Zane?

“Sweetie,” Oliver says, taking a step forward, and places his hand on Harper’s shoulder. She focuses back on him, smiling like nothing happened. “You good?”

She studies him. “I can’t tell you if his dick is huge. Sorry!”

Oliver looks at me. We both heard what she said, but Harper has no recollection.

“Do you know about Mr. Dreamy?” I finally ask.

“No. Is he hot?” She shakes her head, confused.

I rub away the chill bumps that form on my arms.

Harper glances between Oliver and me. “I said more, didn’t I?”

“Yes,” we whisper in unison.

“Shit. I really need a vacation,” she sighs, as if this is normal.