I'VE STUDIED FASHION my entire life, and I've been preparing endlessly for the moment I'll present my portfolio to companies, but still, nothing compares to walking down Rodeo Drive to get fitted for a designer dress made by the one and only Izzy Holden.

Her designs are the hottest commodity right now. Everyone who is someone is dying to get their hands on a piece created by her, and here I am, about to waltz into her chic and upscale store without an appointment. Everett claimed I didn't need one, he said she knew I was coming, but it still didn't feel right.

I mean, I come from nothing. I don't have money, but Everett reassured me I didn't need any for this, whatever that meant. Not to mention, I'm not a girl who fits into designer clothing. My figure isn't the norm. Will Izzy be surprised when she sees what I look like? She probably doesn't even remember the few times we met in passing all those years ago.

Lingering outside the shop, I rest my back against the side of the building and let out a deep breath. I'm psyching myself out. This is the coolest opportunity I'll probably ever get, and I'm going to ruin it by self-sabotaging.

But this all brings back memories of Liam and his family. I was always unwelcomed to every function of theirs. I wasn't who they wanted their son to date. I was too big. Too dark. Too poor. Too much of everything.

"Emery!" Izzy is holding the door open, waving excitedly with a huge smile, and all those doubts I had seconds ago dissipate ever-so-slightly. "Come in! I'm so happy you're here." When I reach the door, she pulls me into a hug, shocking the hell out of me. "How are you? How's everything? I heard you're going to school for fashion design!"

The questions are a lot—almost as if she's wanted to ask them for a while, which is strange. She must see how overwhelmed I am because she laughs and smacks her wrist. "Sorry. I have a habit of talking too much sometimes. Forgive me, but it's not every day I get to design a dress for a girl my brother is bringing as his date! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

My feet are rooted to the shop floor as I process what she said. "I'm sorry, did you just say you're designing me a dress? Like, custom-made?" I assumed I'd be wearing one of her clearance dresses, or maybe something a couple of years old, but a custom piece?

She nods enthusiastically. "I can't give too much away since I'm under strict orders, but I'm thrilled to be making it for you! Come on, follow me."

I don't know how I'm even walking, but somehow my legs follow her through the shop. It's light and spacious, with green plants everywhere. Mannequins are dressed in her most recent collection, and I recognize some of the pieces from the latest issue of Vogue.

I'm completely dumbfounded when she instructs me to step up on a podium in front of three large mirrors, and as I stare at my reflection, I can't help but cringe.

Izzy is drop-dead gorgeous. She's the type of girl who gets cast in movies and could become Instagram famous in a heartbeat. Even now, she makes a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt look stylish.

And I'm...

"The shop is closed on Mondays, but I don't mind coming in on my day off. Especially if it's to help Everett. I'm just going to take the basic measurements, and when the dress is finished, I'll have you come try it on to fix last-minute kinks."

I gulp when she hooks the measuring tape around her neck. "What do I owe you for this? I-I don't have money, but I can help out around the shop if you want for free. I can't let you go to all of this trouble for me, Izzy. You hardly know me."

Her gaze softens in the mirror. "You're important to my brother, so that makes you important to me. You owe me nothing."

What the hell does she know that I don't? What has Everett told her about me? The urge to ask her is too strong, but I don't know her well enough to gossip about his feelings. We've met in passing here and there when she'd give us all a ride to the movies, but we've never been close, so I don't feel right asking, especially when she's designing me a damn dress.

"Go ahead and raise your arms for me," she says.

I do as I'm told, hardly able to look at the slight fat hanging down now that they're spread wide. I shouldn't ask it, It's going to seem like I have no confidence at all, but I can't help when I say, "Are you having to specifically design me a dress because no other designer clothes would fit? Everett told me he was taking care of the dress, but you're custom-making it, so I guess I wasn't sure if he could find another one that would work."

She scoffs. "Emery, I'm sorry that some designers aren't size-inclusive, but everything goes up to a size twenty-four here at my studio. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and Everett's request to have this custom-made had nothing to do with what you look like, okay? I wish I could tell you, but he's already texted me about eighty times to remind me to keep my mouth shut." She rolls her eyes and moves the measuring tape around my hips. "He should know by now that I'm the best at keeping secrets."

Doing my best to keep my tears at bay, my heart swells twice the size. "Thank you," I say. "Seriously. This is insane. I've never owned a designer anything, but I've studied the brands my entire life. You're killing the game right now, Izzy, and to wear one of your designs..." I sigh. "I just hope I can do it justice."

"With these hips?" She taps them in the mirror. "You can make anything look good. It's going to look gorgeous on you. Everett's going to lose his shit."

My eyes meet with hers, and she doesn't miss my cheeks turning bright pink.

What has Everett told her? Does she know we've been friends with benefits for over two months? Is she aware that I dated her brother's best friend and that this situation is messy?

"I'm making this dress hug every curve you have, and we'll emphasize your best assets." She waves at my boobs and my ass, and I let out a laugh. "What? If he's still in denial after seeing you in the finished product, he's officially an idiot."

Okay, so she doesn't know we're having sex.

Casual.

He's keeping things casual.

"Should I tone it down?" She arches a brow, waiting for my response. "If you'd rather not look insanely hot for him, then now would be the time to say something. I mean, I shouldn't assume you're into my brother. After all, you might just be going with him as his date to be nice."

Judging by the sly smile on her face, it's a trick question. It's her way to pry and figure out whether or not I'm into her brother, and although I don't want to give too much away, there is nothing I want more than to get him all worked up. My body knows how beneficial that will be in the long run when we return home from the gala.

"You can make it how you want," I reply.

Her smile widens. "Sexy it is, then. We're almost done. Just a few more."

I'm not sure why a tiny part of me is disappointed Everett hasn't mentioned anything about me to his sister. I know the guy is closed-off and keeps to himself, but he and Izzy have always been close. I assumed it would be her if he confided in anyone about his feelings.

And here I go again, wanting to take things further than I should. I'm the one who told him to keep things casual. Why would he confide in his sister about how he feels when this can't go anywhere between us? I need to stop holding onto that sliver of hope. I need to stop imagining what life would be like if we both felt the same way and Liam wasn't a factor.

It's just going to get me hurt.

But as we wrap up and she leads me back to the front of her shop, my heart won't let go of the sliver it thinks is still there. It wraps around it, clinging on for dear life when I ask, "Did Everett really tell you I was going as his date?"

Izzy smiles wickedly and gives my forearm a reassuring squeeze. "Yep. He really did."

  Author's Note

I LOVE THEM TOGETHER!!!!

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