Free Shame: A Stepbrother Romance by Emma Soule Page B

weight of a giant plastic case that’s covered in raindrops.
    “Ash! What is this?” I say, running to relieve her of her strain, “Don’t tell me…”
    “Yes, it is,” she wheezes, “Do we have time?”
    “Michelle and Stacy are already here, but we don’t start for another ten minutes. Why did you bring it? And why are you even here? Aren’t you supposed to get all pampered up for tomorrow?”
    She places a palm over her chest and holds out her other one, indicating I should give her a second to catch her breath.
    “I’m having doubts,” she finally says and I’m guessing from her tone that she is on the verge of tears.
    “About what? Sean?”
    “No, silly. The dress. It’s awful. I put it on this morning and it looks like a fondant cake with like a gazillion layers. What was I thinking?”
    I know there is only one thing I can say now, given that the wedding is only a few hours away. I don’t even need to look at the dress and check if she’s exaggerating.
    “Ash, listen to me,” I say, looking her straight in the eye, “You’ll be a princess tomorrow. This is what princesses wear. Fondant cakes with a gazillion layers. And I’m sure you’ll rock yours.”
    “Are you sure? Do you want to see it?” she asks miserably and again I know I have no choice. Ten minutes or not, I have to see the dress and confirm it looks positively classy. I’ve been there for all three of my mom’s weddings and I know too well how brides can get on the evening before their big day. Everything seems only half ready, if even that. She is probably a ball of nerves just waiting for that spark to catch on fire and explode.
    I know the preparations have been going on for months and probably every little detail seemed perfect at the time of planning, but now she is questioning everything. It takes a friend and a mind that’s not boggled down by doubts to ease hers, so I take the challenge, though I’m not sure if I have the most unburdened mind right now.
    “Come on,” I say and usher her into the storage room, “Let’s see what’s so horrible about it.”
    “Promise you’ll be honest,” Ashleigh whines as she shimmies into the enormous pile of frills and lace.
    I step behind her and pull on the strings of her corset, squeezing her tiny waist inside the complex construction. Then I take a few steps back and pretend to be examining her very seriously. I allow a couple of minutes to go by and her expression becoming more and more anxious is painful to watch. Finally, I take a deep breath.
    “I’ve never seen anyone more stunning,” I say confidently and with a smile, though she could really do without a layer or two. There’s no time for that. What she needs is assurance. If she believes she looks good in it, she can walk down the aisle in a potato sack and rock it. “I only wish you’ll be shopping with me when my time comes. That’s exactly the type of dress I’d pick for myself.”
    The taste of the blatant lie is bitter on my tongue, but her face goes from scrunched up to beaming and I know I’ve accomplished my goal.
    “Really? You honestly think that?”
    “Ash, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. All eyes will be on you tomorrow.”
    She shuffles towards me with difficulty. The thing is a nightmare to walk in. She wraps her slim arms around me and squeezes me.
    “You are fantastic, you know that? I can finally go to bed without going out of my mind.”
    “Are you really staying for the book club meeting? You seriously don’t have to.”
    “Are you kidding me? It took me forever to finish that drab novel. I’m not missing my chance to vent and bitch about it. I think it will make me feel better and I can stop worrying for at least an hour. By the way, are you bringing anyone tomorrow? I still haven’t canceled your plus one, just in case you meet prince charming last minute.”
    “I don’t know about prince charming, but I’m bringing my brother.”
    “You have a brother?”
    “I