Free Endre (Elsker Saga Book 2) by S.T. Bende

series of paisley swirls and delicate flowers, and it appeared to have some kind of beading sewn throughout—Victoria had drawn little lines designating sparkles.
    “Wow.” I exhaled.
    “You haven’t seen the best part.” Victoria turned the page again, revealing another sketch. “Check out that back.”
    “Holy mother.” Emma sidled up next to us. “It drops almost to your bum. That backline is sexy as sin. Ull won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
    “That was the plan.” Victoria confirmed.
    “Um…” My fingers covered my eyes. The idea of wearing a near-backless dress had me flustered. But the idea of Ull and his hands… “Yes. Please. Make that one.” Make it right now .
    “You like it?” Victoria shot me a sly glance.
    “I love it,” I confirmed.
    “But more importantly, Ull is going to flip.” Emma tossed her hair. “Has he ever seen you in anything that sexy?”
    “Emma,” Victoria said. “Please.”
    “My clothes are sexy,” I defended myself.
    “Sure. If you call the occasionally exposed collarbone or, gasp , a bare wrist sexy,” Emma heckled.
    Victoria narrowed her eyes. “She does have a point.” She buried her head in her sketchpad, scribbling furiously.
    “It’s not like we had any reason to wear backless gowns in Nehalem,” I pointed out. “It was cold, like, three hundred days a year.”
    “How do you explain the other sixty-five days?” Emma nudged me with her shoulder.
    “Okay, ladies. What if we did something like this for a honeymoon dress?” Victoria held up the paper. “In teal, or maybe white.”
    “Oh my God, V. It’s perfect! Can you make me one in green?” Emma clapped her hands.
    “You just came up with that?” I touched the paper with one finger.
    “The strapless bit might be a little uncomfortable for you, but we’ll tuck it here and here,” Victoria pointed with her pencil, “and I’ll build in padded cups so you don’t have to worry about fidgeting with a bra. The ruching will accentuate your tiny waist, and the A-line will give Ull easy access in the event he decides to—”
    “It’s gorgeous,” I interrupted, blushing fiercely. “Love the ribbon at the hips.”
    “That is a nice touch, don’t you think?” Victoria admired her work. “We could even add some pockets. Fun it up.”
    “You’re really going to make me two dresses?” I touched the notebook with one hand.
    “I’m planning to make you an entire honeymoon wardrobe. No offense, Kristia, but I don’t trust you to shop for yourself for that particular occasion.”
    Now that she mentioned it, some guidance would be nice.
    “Yay!” Emma clapped her hands. “What about something like this for one of the dresses?” She grabbed the pencil out of Victoria’s hands and started drawing. When she finished, Victoria eyed the paper critically.
    “Again with the eyelets? Emma, we discussed this. Leave the design to me. You just worry about Kristia’s wedding hair.” Victoria smiled angelically as Emma grabbed the Hair Helper off the nightstand.
    “Oh, goody. Because I think I know what happened before, and it’s an easy fix. All we have to do is tease the crown and maybe add some of that glittery hairspray…”
    Heaven help us all.
     

     
    “Olaug! To what do I owe the honor?” I opened the door of my flat with a wide smile. Olaug stood on the other side, an overflowing grocery bag in her arms.
    “I was just passing through, and I thought I’d pop in on my soon-to-be-granddaughter. And her roommates—are they home?”
    “No. They’ve got classes this afternoon.” Holding the door open with my hip, I reached for her bag. “Let me take that for you, it looks heavy. Come in. I’m so happy you’re here.”
    Olaug patted my arm as she walked into our tiny entry. While I carried the bag to the kitchen, she took off her coat and appraised our living space. Couch facing the open kitchen, tartan throw artfully arranged across the reading chair, and thanks to a