Caged: The Complete Trilogy by Francesca Baez

Author:Francesca Baez [Baez, Francesca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nispero Media
Published: 2020-09-16T05:00:00+00:00

As if the trauma of the engagement party wasn’t enough, Isla insists on throwing me a bridal shower. Well, I talked her down to that, her original pitch was for a bachelorette party. Javier would never let me go on a weekend trip to Vegas, even if I wanted to. So, bridal shower it is. That can’t be worse than penis-shaped cakes and male strippers, right?

After the expense of the wedding gown and the dress for the engagement party, Vega wouldn’t let me buy a new outfit for this. I find something in the back of my closet that I bought last spring and never ended up wearing. It’s out of season, but it’ll have to do. Simple and elegant, just my style. The white A-line dress has gold sequined vines and blossoms curving down the bodice, and the signature fabric hugs my hips the way I like. I pair it with my nude red-bottoms and swipe on some crimson lipstick at the last minute. I’ll need it to face down the room full of vipers I’m about to walk into.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” Miel asks when I meet her in the foyer. My babysitter for the night is wearing a black Chanel dress out of my closet, and her usual razor-sharp eyeliner. “Isn’t that dress kind of… plain?”

“It’s Valentino,” I snap, jerking my coat over my shoulders. Evenings are finally starting to get a little chilly.

“Whatever,” Miel says, throwing her hands up in mock defeat. Recently, things have been warmer between us than they’ve been in months. But not that much warmer, apparently. “Let’s go, we’re late already.”

“You know we’re just going down the street, right?” I ask, following her out to the car.

“Your whole driveway is a street, and so is theirs,” Miel gripes. She’s right. By the time we get to the del Reys’ place, drop the car with the valet, and climb up their obnoxiously ornate front steps, we’re pretty much the last ones there. Which usually I wouldn’t give a shit about, but tonight, everyone turns to stare as I walk in. Isla shrieking and running in my direction doesn’t particularly help.

“Wifey in the house!” she crows, waving her arms at me as if to direct any remaining stray eyes. She’s wearing a dramatic dress, with crystals dripping down the neckline and wide split-sleeves that give the appearance of a cape. Why is she wearing white? Aren’t bride rules in effect? And why do I suddenly give a shit?

“Not a wifey quite yet,” I lie through gritted teeth, forcing a smile as she grabs my hand and leads me into the center of the room.

“Oh, I know,” Isla chirps, sitting me down and somehow immediately handing me a flute of pink Veuve Clicquot, before settling down in the armchair right next to mine. “You’re not ready yet. But after tonight, you’ll be an expert.”

“Oh my god,” I breathe, looking up at the gaggle of women milling around the room. Some are distracted by the bubbly and their own little conversations, but too many are still looking at me.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.