Tainted

45 - Vee: Afire

Saturday August 23

I glanced down at my dress, taking a deep breath as I attempted to calm my nerves.

Why am I nervous? It's just a wedding... A date with Colt to a fucking wedding.

Oh yeah, that's why I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my goddamn chest.

Luckily, Colt was a part of the wedding party, so he wouldn't be able to pick me up and have to witness me looking like a goddamn crazy person as I tapped my fingers against my thigh and continuously wiped my damp palms.

Instead, I'd be third-wheeling with Ben and his date, Rebecca, which I didn't particularly fancy because being a third wheel sucked, but I didn't protest when Ben offered. It was better than showing up alone.

The thing was, I didn't do this. I didn't go out on actual dates, at least, not with the person I was supposed to be casually sleeping with. I didn't really think this through, given the fact that I was all too eager when Marcus coerced Colt into taking me to his wedding.

To make it worse - though, I feared that the reason I was anxious was because I was looking forward to it - because Colt was part of the wedding party, that meant that we had a room at the hotel where the wedding reception was being held to spend the night. Marcus and Laila had rented out rooms for the wedding party and Colt explained to me that I was an exception being his real date and all, so I had to come because Laila insisted.

I let out a shaky breath, giving myself a once over.

I was wearing a glossy bronze dress that had thin spaghetti straps, low v-neckline that showed off a little cleavage and a split in the front that hit just below my knees.nIt was a bold piece, hugging my body closely to outline my figure.

The last and only other time I'd worn this dress was in Toronto when my cousin got married two years ago. Only this time, I looked like a new person. I was thinner than I had been two years ago, but my hips had become more prominent. I offered a small smile to my reflection - I wasn't complaining.

I accessorized it with mostly gold jewelry, wearing a thin gold chain, a pair of diamond studs, a few rings and a gold bracelets. I finished off the look with metallic open-toe heels and a small purse.

My hair was blow-dried straight and tied into a sleek ponytail, mostly to show off the low back of the dress and the crisscross straps. My dark hair tied it all together, complimenting the tones of my gold smokey eyeshadow and matte nude lips.

I sighed, eyeing my overnight bag that hung out in the corner beside the door. I just had an off feeling about tonight... Something I couldn't quite shake.

It wasn't necessarily a negative feeling, but it was similar to that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you're nervous and excited all at the same time.

I let out a shaky breath, giving myself one last look in the mirror as my cellphone chimed Ben's ringtone.

I was making my way down the lobby to where his car was parked at he front when I saw him leaning against his car.

"Wow, love," he grinned, standing up straight. "You look amazing."

I stopped on my tracks, my mouth dropping open as I admired his classic black suit and white shirt, paired with clean dress shoes and his fancy watch.

"Me? Look at you!" I exclaimed, earning a crooked smile from him. "Damn, we look good, eh?"

Ben chuckled, pulling me in for a hug.