Read Online The Arrangement Anthology by H. M. Ward - Free Book Online

for her is that she doesn’t steal.”
    Mel doesn’t look convinced. “No offense hun, but you ain’t got nothing worth stealing.”
    “Story of my life. So help me shake of the heebie-jeebies and get ready.”
    Mel snorts a laugh. Her hand quickly covers her mouth as she continues to laugh. “Where did you learn those words? You’d think you were raised in a nunnery. Damn, girl.” Mel shakes her head and walks over to her closet. A dark violet cocktail dress is hanging at the front. She pulls it out and hands it to me. “What do you think? With your dark hair and eyes, I thought that color would work well for you. Plus it’s easy to wear.”
    I hold the soft fabric in my hands. My heart starts pumping harder. I’m going to do this. The dress is the final step on the tightrope of insanity. I’m kind of hoping I fall off and break my neck. I don’t know if I can go through with it. I nod, not saying anything I’m thinking. “It’s beautiful.”
    The dress has a bright purple silk lining that is covered by black chiffon. The necklines scoops low and the back dips even lower. It’s held up by a silver clip on one shoulder. It’s like a Greek Goddess dress. I blink at it for a moment. I can’t believe this is happening.
    As if Mel can sense my thoughts, she says, “And how about the rest? Did Mandy hook you up with a nice lacey garter set?”
    The undergarments are inspected by Miss Black before I leave in a limo for my appointment with Sean. Nothing I had would have been acceptable, so I took what little money I had left and bought some stockings, thigh highs, panties and a bra. Everything was on clearance, but the whole thing is from a store on Miss Black’s approved list.
    I nod, and slip off the housecoat so she can see. It feels a little funny, but I have to put on the dress anyway. I pull it off the hanger as Mel looks me over. “There wasn’t much in my price range.”
    “Well, I’m just glad they had something. That should pacify Miss Black. She just wants to make sure we don’t skimp on anything.”
    “I can’t believe how much this stuff costs. The stockings cost more than my entire outfit.”
    Mel shakes her head and smiles at me. “But have you felt them?”
    “Yeah, they’re buttery soft, but at that price I’ll cry if I snag them.” I’m trying to wriggle into the dress without messing up my make-up. It slips over me and I reach for the side to zip it, but Mel’s already there. She pulls up the zipper for me and I look in the mirror. The dress fits perfectly. The bodice is formfitting and the skirt is on the shorter side and flares slightly at the hem. If I didn’t feel like I was going to puke, I’d twirl.
    “You look perfect.”
    “Thanks,” I say, pulse pounding harder. I take a deep breath and try to calm down.
    “Have you thought about what you’re going to say to him?” Mel steps back and grabs a comb. She quickly pulls my long locks into a beautiful style. I don’t even know what to call it. It’s half up and half down. Loose strands hang by my shoulders as random curls are pinned and twisted onto the back of my head.
    “No, not really. And Mel, if he says no, I’m walking away from this. If I can’t do it with him, I just can’t do it.”
    Mel stills her hands and presses her lips together. “You give up too easy.”
    “Maybe, but I have to be able to live with myself. My body and emotions aren’t detached. I don’t know how to do this without falling for the guy.”
    Mel folds her arms over her chest. She still has to get ready to go out later. “Listen, it’ll come to you. One of the things I don’t do is lingering kisses, you know the kind. They get all hot and heavy. It makes it feel like something it’s not. That preference sheet isn’t just what you like, it’s what you can tolerate.”
    “What if I cry the whole time? What if I can’t tolerate any of it?”
    “You’re stronger than that, Avery. Me and you, we’re on our own. We’re strong