Beth showed up as she was about to enter. “Those are very pretty. I’ll wait out here while you try them on.”
Lily tried one on after the other, unsatisfied with any of them. She pulled off the pair of jeans, the last item she’d had to try, and folded them back up. Giving the clothes to the attendant, she went out to Beth empty-handed.
“No success?”
“No. I don’t know what’s wrong. I’ll just go to the discount store and pick up a few things until I find something else,” Lily was explaining when several women stared through the aisle at the convoy of women entering the department store.
Lily turned to Beth with a suspicious look. Beth merely grinned back, not trying to hide the fact she had called in reinforcements.
“I thought we could use a little help,” Beth admitted.
No sooner had she said those words than Sex Piston and her crew stopped in front of them. “Well, I’m glad someone finally had the sense to ask me for my fashion advice.”
Lily stared at the obviously pregnant biker woman dressed in leather leggings and a bright red top with a metallic Harley studded on the front. Her baby bump was emphasized by the tightness of the red shirt that should have clashed with her red hair; instead it only highlighted the deep, rich tones of it.
Killyama pulled out one of the dresses from a nearby rack, shuddering before hastily putting it back. “No wonder the bitch couldn’t find anything. My mom wouldn’t buy anything here and she’s stoned out of her fucking mind.”
Lily heard the saleswoman a few feet away gasp at the insult.
“Let’s get out of here,” Sex Piston said, leaving without waiting for any objections.
Lily and Beth followed the women down two blocks to a newer store that had opened recently. Sex Piston flung the door open, strutting inside as if she was the one who owned it.
Lily watched as the women spread throughout the store, searching for clothes for her. She could only stare helplessly at her sister who was going through the racks, ignoring her incriminating glances. Lily decided she had better get busy going through the racks or she would be talked into buying clothes that she would never dream of wearing.
After she had searched fruitlessly, finding nothing that she considered would do, Fat Louise came and led her to the dressing room where everyone was waiting. Each woman handed her clothes to try on, despite the saleswoman’s protests that only a certain number of clothes were allowed.
“Get lost. We’ll take care of her.” Killyama’s threatening glare had the woman retreating back to the cash register just as Sex Piston barged into the dressing room, pulling a chair up outside her changing room door.
“If you don’t come out and show me, then I’ll come in there,” she threatened. Lily nodded half-heartedly.
She tried on several items but was too embarrassed to open the door.
“Are you crying?” Sex Piston asked, astounded.
“No.” Lily’s voice wobbled when she answered.
“Open the fucking door and let me see.”
Lily slowly opened the door. “I’m not crying.” She wasn’t. She had kept her promise to herself; she was just having a hard time keeping it.
Sex Piston took a look at her face then looked up at the ceiling. Lily thought it was strange, but she waited several seconds before Sex Piston looked back down at her.
Sex Piston’s eyes were filled with unshed tears. “I’m more emotional now that I’m pregnant. Now, we’re going to pull on our big-girl panties and get this done or I’m going to pick everything out for you myself. Okay?”
“Okay.” Lily took a deep breath and tried on a dress. She opened the door.
“No,” Sex Piston said firmly, running critical eyes over the dress on her body.
Lily shut the door and changed again before opening the door.
“Fuck no.”
She tried on a skirt with a matching top.
“Yes.”
She closed the door again, also happy with the clothes. She tried another.
The gagging noises Sex Piston made when she opened the dressing room door were self-explanatory. Lily shut the door with a snap.
She tried on a form-fitting dress with a swirling skirt in a soft cranberry color.
“Yes.” Lily smiled at her response.
She tried on a pair of jeans and a blue iris sweater that showed a hint of flesh at the top.
“Yes.”
Lily tried on a jade-green sweater dress, which was too tight. She didn’t want to open the door.
“No, it doesn’t suit you at all.” Thankfully, Sex Piston agreed with her own opinion.
Lily tried on several more outfits, letting Sex Piston pick and choose. Thankfully, she agreed with most of her choices since she was going to be the one wearing them. She picked up the ones she would be purchasing, setting them aside, and then straightened the rest back onto the hangers.
Going outside the dressing room, she carried the clothes she was going to buy on her arm.
“Can you grab the others to put on the rack so they can restock them?” Lily asked.
Sex Piston took the ones that were going back in stock, hanging them on the rack. All except for the green dress. Lily raised an eyebrow at her.
“What? I said it didn’t suit you, but it will look hot on me,” Sex Piston said unashamedly.
They checked out.
“Thanks for going with us,” Lily said as they shoved all the bags into Beth’s SUV.
“Hell, we aren’t done. You need shoes.” Sex Piston pushed her toward the local shoe store.
The store had a lone salesclerk and he was male. The women had him making trip after trip to the back.
Lily liked this much better. All she had to do was sit and try on pair after pair of shoes.
“No way,” Lily refused, seeing the price on the side of the box the clerk was showing her.
“Hell, yeah. Your sister can pay for them. She’s married to Mr. Moneybags,” Killyama said, taking the box away from the clerk while giving him one of her flirtatious smiles.
Lily stifled her laughter. The man looked scared enough to wet himself.
Reaching forward, she took the shoes from Killyama, trying on the high heels that she was sure would break her ankle if she ever dared to wear them.
“She’ll take them,” Beth spoke up with a mischievous look in her eyes.
Lily shook her head, not wanting to spend her sister’s money.
“Don’t worry about it. They’ll be worth every dime when I see Shade’s face.”
Beth took the six pairs of shoes to the register before Lily could change her mind. Lily walked out of the store overwhelmed by the amount of money Beth had spent carelessly that day. Guilt kicked in, making her decide to take some of the things back next week and return the money to her sister.
“Let’s get some dinner,” Sex Piston said.
“I’m paying,” Beth offered. Since when did Beth become so free with her cash? Her sister, while not broke, had always been frugal with her money.
Razer, who was leaning against the SUV after having helped the women load the car, gave a twisted grin.
“Where at?” Fat Louise asked, excited.
“Let’s do it up right. The Pink Slipper sound good to everyone?” Beth mentioned the most expensive restaurant and bar in Treepoint.
“They won’t let us in the door.” Fat Louise reminded Beth they hadn’t been allowed in the restaurant since the fight they had started when Razer and Beth had temporarily broken up.
“I happen to know it’s under new management,” Beth happily said, spreading the good news.
The whoops and hollers drew the attention of customers leaving the stores that were closing. No one other than Lily seemed to notice, though, and so they each got in their separate vehicles, driving the short distance to the restaurant.
Inside, Razer went to sit at the bar, leaving the women at a table on their own.
Sex Piston and her crew ordered the most ex
pensive items on the menu. Lily was sure it was because they knew Beth was paying with Razer’s money. They still held a grudge against him for breaking their friend’s heart. The women were loyal to Beth and even treated her like a sister because of their affection for her.
They all ordered tea and water to drink, except for Crazy Bitch and Killyama who drank beer, telling Sex Piston she was driving.
“Wait until you’re knocked up. I’ll drink a fucking six-pack in front of you,” she said vengefully. Lily thought that by the time Sex Piston’s baby arrived, it would be born with an extensive vocabulary.
The diners at the other tables kept giving them censuring looks which they ignored.
T.A. leaned forward. “So, has the hunk of burning love made his move yet?”
“Who?” Lily asked, dumbfounded.
T.A. rolled her eyes. “You know who I’m talking about. Shade.”
“Kind of.” ‘Hunk of burning love’ was not how she would describe Shade’s stern demeanor.
“What the fuck does that mean? Yes or no?” Crazy Bitch snapped.
“Well, we kissed last night,” Lily confided, embarrassed she was talking about something so intimate in front of her sister.
“You kissed?” Crazy Bitch asked, looking at her like she had lost her mind.
“Was it too soon?” Lily asked. The women at the table just stared at her then burst into hysterical laughter. Even Beth almost fell out of her chair when Killyama whacked her accidently with her elbow.
“What’s so funny?” Lily asked sharply.
“N…N…Nothing,” Sex Piston said, wiping the tears off her cheeks. “Beth, if I have a daughter, I’m sending her to live with you when she reaches puberty.”
“Hell, she damn sure doesn’t take after her sister. Beth gave up the whole shebang quicker than that.” Crazy Bitch slammed her beer down on the table.
“Shut up,” Beth hissed.
“You go, sister,” Sex Piston said, raising her hand for Lily to high-five. “Make the motherfucker work for it.” Lily lamely hit her palm against Sex Piston’s.
“Are you crazy? Why make him work for it? I’d have given it up before he asked for it. By the way, when you find out how far down those tats go, will you let us know? We’ve got a bet going,” T.A. confided, leaning sideways in her chair to whisper in Lily’s ear.
The food arrived, and Lily was glad when they settled down to eat. When the check arrived, Lily tried to take it to pay Beth back for some of the clothes, but Beth wouldn’t let her.
“I’ve got it.” She laid the card down on the ticket.
Lily glanced down, expecting to see either Beth or Razer’s name on the card; instead, it bore another name she recognized.
“He said to make sure you had a good time. Have you had fun?” Beth teased.
“Yes… but—”
“Don’t worry; he can afford a small dinner.” Beth patted her hand.
“But—”
“A few pairs of shoes, too,” Beth continued, her smile widening.
Lily hid her face in her hand.
“And a whole new wardrobe,” Beth finished, then teased, “I’m thinking he might deserve more than a kiss.”
Chapter 25
When Beth pulled her SUV into the parking lot of The Last Riders, cutting the engine, Lily sat relaxed in the seat next to her as Razer opened Beth’s door, helping her out. Her sister looked exhausted. Lily felt guilty knowing Beth had given a full morning working then spent the rest of the day shopping.
“I’m sorry you’re so tired,” Lily said, coming to Beth’s side.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I enjoyed spending the day with you. We haven’t done it in a long time.”
As Razer opened the back of the SUV, they all three stared at the small mountain of bags.
“I think we may have overdone it a bit,” Beth said jokingly, turning to Lily.
“You think?” Lily laughed. “I’m already planning on taking most of it back.”
“Don’t you dare,” Beth reprimanded her.
“She won’t,” Shade spoke up from behind them, reaching inside the vehicle to take several of the bags. Razer reached inside also, pulling out a large number for himself. Lily and Beth split up the remaining packages and then they all carried them up the steps to the house.
Lily watched as the men carried the packages up the steps to one of the rooms upstairs. Beth motioned Lily up to the room she had been in that morning, the nightgown she had worn still lying across the chair.
When they set the bags on the floor in front of the bed, Lily didn’t know what she was supposed to do with the clothes.
“I’ll see you at church in the morning.” Lily hugged and kissed her sister goodbye.
Razer gave her a tight hug. “Goodnight, lil’ sis.”
“Night, Razer.”
The door closed behind them.
“I’m not staying in the basement anymore?”
“No. If someone tries to hurt you again, they’ll have to get past every brother in the house with you up here.”
“I see.” She took a deep breath. “Beth told me at dinner that you paid for all this. I’ll pay you back.”
“No, you won’t, and you won’t take anything back. Quit worrying and go get your shower.”
Lily went to the bathroom, taking the gown. The bathroom wasn’t as large as the one in Shade’s room, but it was just as nice. The Last Riders were bikers who most definitely enjoyed their creature comforts.
She showered and washed her hair, blow-dried it then brushed it out. There had been at least six different shampoos and a whole smorgasbord of toiletries to choose from.
There was a robe on the back of the door that Lily put on over her gown before opening the door. She had been expecting the room to be empty; instead Shade was already in bed.
Lily climbed in bed, relieved. She had thought he would remain sleeping in the basement. She pulled the covers over her, giving him a smile.
“What was that for?”
Confused her brow furrowed. “What?”
Shade turned off the bedside lamp. The bathroom light was on with the door left half-open. “That smile you just gave me.”
“I don’t know. I was just happy you were here. I thought you might be sleeping in your room.”
Shade rose on his side. His serious face cast in the shadows of the bedroom. “Lily, the only bed you’ll be in is the one I’m sleeping in.” His finger traced down the fragile line of her cheekbone.
He bent down, kissing her lips. When Lily parted her lips, his tongue entered her mouth, searching its depths. Her tongue timidly touched his, and at her response, he sucked her tongue into his mouth, sliding his own against hers, tempting her to explore the warmth of his mouth.
When her arms slipped around his shoulders, Shade raised his head, breaking off the kiss.
“When I kiss you, it’s like touching perfection.” Shade placed soft kisses on her neck.
Lily’s arms dropped to her side. “I’m not perfect,” she replied, turning her face away.
“You’re perfect for me,” Shade corrected her.
“Shade…” Lily began hesitantly.
“Not tonight, Lily. Tonight, I want to hold you in my arms, knowing that you’re taking one breath after another. That when I wake in the morning, your beautiful face will be on the pillow next to mine, and tomorrow night, when I go to bed, you’ll be by my side again. Day after day, night after night.” Shade’s vow expressed how seriously he had taken almost losing her.
Lily’s lips smiled against his throat. “What about when I snore?”
“Angels don’t snore.”
* * *
Church was packed the next day; the closer to the holidays, the more the parishioners made the effort to attend. Lily kept her head down, sitting next to Beth and Razer, only talking when one of them spoke to her. As soon as the service ended, Lily got up from the pew.
“I’ll meet you outside.” Before they could say anything
, Lily left the church before even Pastor Dean could make it to the door.
Lily was the first one in the diner after church. She already was looking over the menu when Shade, Ryder and Cash came through the door.
“What are you doing over here by yourself?” Shade asked, taking a seat next to her.
“I left church a few minutes early,” Lily said, staring at the menu.
“Why?”
“I didn’t want to stand in line today. Does it matter? Everything’s fine.” Lily raised the menu higher, ignoring his questioning gaze.
Beth and the others came in from church, asking her the same questions.
“What happened?” Beth asked.
Lily shrugged, avoiding the question by placing her order. They had just been served their food when Pastor Dean came in the restaurant with Rachel and her family, taking a table across the restaurant.
After lunch, Lily was ready to leave. She didn’t want to linger like she usually did. She turned to Shade who was still drinking his coffee.
“Ready?” Her fingers were tearing the paper napkin to shreds. She wadded the mess up, placing the pieces on her plate before handing it to the waitress.
“Sure.” Shade got up from the table, laying the money for both of them down.
“Are you coming to the house?” Lily asked Beth who nodded her head.
“I’ll see you there.”
Lily fled the restaurant, not waiting for Shade, missing the worried glance Beth gave Shade and his shrug.
“What’s the hurry?” Shade asked when he caught up with her outside.
“I need to get some work done on my college classes today.”
Shade got on the bike and Lily climbed on behind him, her arms circling his waist. The drive home didn’t take long. The weather was already turning cooler and the sun was as cloudy as her mood.
She didn’t want to sit and talk while everyone was giving her looks like she was going to break any minute. Her memories were back. She wasn’t going to hide from them any longer, but neither did she want to talk about them. Lily hoped, given time, something new would occur and her episode would fade from memory, and they would forget she had been a basket case.