The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée
There would be no half-measures, either, because in all of this mess, he knew one thing. If he was going down in flames, it was going to be the largest bonfire Nocturne Falls had ever witnessed.
Tessa slipped into her sister’s room and shut the door, leaning against it. “You have to help me.”
Jenna looked up from where she was sitting on her bed playing with Duncan who was chasing a feather on a string, but mostly falling over his own feet in the process. “What do you need? Whatever it is, I’ll do it. It’s my valkyrie duty to protect the worthy and you certainly fit that description, even if you are another valkyrie. Wait, you’re not going to ask me to take your place as Grumpy’s fiancée are you? Because I love you but my answer to that is still no.”
“No, it’s not that and don’t call him Grumpy. That’s my future boss you’re talking about. If this works out. He wants to go out for coffee and by the way he looked at my clothes, I could tell he didn’t think much of this outfit. If I’m supposed to be his fiancée, I need to look like a woman he’d actually be seen with. Which I’m guessing I don’t now.”
“And that’s what you want my help with?”
Tessa nodded. “Yes. Please.”
Jenna hopped off the bed and squealed with delight. “I’ve been trying to give you a makeover for years.”
“Hold up. This is not a makeover. I just need help picking out something else to wear. Something more like what a vampire’s fiancée would wear.” Tessa shook her head at the ridiculousness of that statement. “Whatever that is.”
Jenna went over and opened her closet.
Tessa’s brows knit. “My clothes are in the guest room.”
“Which is why I’m looking in here.” She stared into her closet. “Do you have any skinny jeans?”
“Do I look like a hipster?”
Jenna shot her a look. “Regular jeans will have to do.”
“I don’t have any of those either.”
Jenna looked at her sister. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I don’t wear jeans. They’re not work appropriate.”
Jenna tipped her head to the side. “You have a life outside of work.”
Not really, but Tessa kept that comment to herself.
Jenna pulled a stack of jeans off a shelf and plopped them on the bed. “The skinnies are on top. Lucky for you, we’re the same size.”
“You’re an inch taller.” Why would one person own so many pairs of jeans? Weren’t they all essentially the same? Blue and denim.
“Half an inch and that won’t make a difference.” Jenna waved her hands at Tessa like she was trying to shoo flies away. “Let’s go, strip, get into the jeans. And lose that old lady blouse.”
“It’s not an old lady blouse. This is Ann Taylor, I’ll have you know.”
“Forgive me. Lose that middle-aged lady blouse.”
Tessa huffed out a breath but took off her navy chinos and silk shirt and climbed into the pair of jeans Jenna indicated. They were snug. “Are these jeans or leggings?”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “Jeans.”
“Are they supposed to be this tight? I think I’m losing circulation in my thighs.”
“Yes, and no, you’re not.” Jenna pulled out a couple of tops on hangers before turning around. “Holy Loki, you actually have a body. And boobs!”
Tessa wrapped her arms around her bare stomach. “Of course I have a body. And a chest.”
“Yeah, but who knew the whole package was this hot? Although, Tessa, seriously? That bra is a real snooze. White cotton? Do you have to special order those from Amish-R-Us?” Jenna curled her lip. “We might be sisters but we are not related by fashion.”
“It’s practical. And I can bleach it.” And they matched her underwear, but Tessa was sure her sister wouldn’t think that was a plus.
Jenna lifted her brows. “What are you doing in your bras that they need to be bleached?” She held up a hand. “On second thought, don’t answer that.” She thrust out the handful of shirts. “Try these on.”
Tessa took the hangers but stared at the shirts. “All together?”
“Oh my word, no. One at a time.” Jenna shook her head and went back to digging in her closet. “You still wear a size eight shoe like me, right?”
“Yes.” Tessa pulled the first top on. It was plum-colored and sort of twisted at the neck but then the fabric fell away in a draped cowl. It was pretty. Lower cut than the tops she normally wore, but not uncomfortably so. Not a color she would have typically picked either, but this was about looking different, so mission accomplished.
Jenna turned around with a pair of tall, brown leather boots and a long, chunky brown cardigan. “That top is perfect. Forget the rest of them. Here, boots and a sweater. Do not button it.”
“What if I get cold? It’s January, you know.”
“Yes, but it’s a warm January. And we’re valkyries. Suck it up, you’ll be fine. Besides, beauty isn’t always easy or convenient.”
“Says the woman who normally wears a uniform. That’s about as easy and convenient as it gets.”
“Yes, but when I go out, I let my light shine. Unlike you, who has yet to actually turn your light on. At least I know now there’s a bulb in there. Okay, hair and makeup time.”