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Dressed to Impress
Last Updated:
2025-01-07 23:32:0515
Riley I headed back to my room after Ethan went to get ready. It hit me that I still hadn’t decided what to wear. Sure, tonight was all about Ethan, but I couldn’t exactly show up looking like I’d just rolled out of bed. The clothes I bought with him were still in the bag on my chair. I pulled them out and held the shirt up to my chest in the mirror. It was nice—sleek, fitted, and way classier than my usual vibe. Perfect for tonight. Still, I was feeling a little... stressed. It wasn’t just about Ethan pulling this off; it was about me not screwing it up. What kind of friend would I be if I let him down now? I quickly got dressed, the jeans fitting just snug enough to make me wonder if I’d eaten too much pizza lately. The shirt, though, was a winner. When I buttoned it up and gave myself a once-over, I had to admit I looked decent. Not that it mattered. “Alright, Riley,” I muttered to myself, pacing my room as I pulled on my shoes. “You’re here to help Ethan, not to stress about whether you look good.” I grabbed my jacket and headed to the living room. Ethan wasn’t out yet, so I figured I had a minute to chill. By the time he returned, I’d managed to straighten a few things and convince myself not to overthink the night. “Wow,” Ethan said, stepping into the room. “You look... put together.” I smirked, brushing imaginary lint off my sleeve. “Yeah, well, I figured I should at least try to look like I belong at this party. You, on the other hand...” I gave him a mock once-over. “You’re stealing the show.” He rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smile creeping onto his face. “Thanks. You ready?” “Born ready,” I said, grabbing my keys off the counter. “But, uh, quick question—how stressed do I look on a scale of one to ‘I’m-about-to-lose-it?’” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You? Stressed? What’s going on?” I waved him off, trying to act casual. “It’s nothing. Just making sure I don’t screw this up for you, that’s all.” He shook his head, laughing softly. “Riley, you’re not going to screw anything up. If anything, you’re the reason I’m even walking into this party tonight.” I blinked, caught off guard by how sincere he sounded. “Well, okay, then,” I said, clearing my throat. “Let’s get going before I start blushing or something.” As we stepped outside, the crisp night air hit us, and Ethan locked the door behind him. Just as I was about to ask if he wanted to drive, Ava appeared, walking out of Ethan’s house like she owned the place. When she spotted me, her jaw nearly dropped. Her eyes widened, and then her expression shifted to one of unfiltered chaos—typical Ava. “Riley!” she exclaimed, practically skipping over. “You’re always hot, but now? Wow. You’re *dangerous.*” I laughed, shaking my head as Ethan rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Ava, it’s not that serious.” “Not that serious?” she repeated, gesturing dramatically at me like I was a masterpiece unveiled. “Please, the party won’t survive. People are going to be passing out left and right. Ethan, are you seeing this?” Ethan glanced at me, his smile a mix of amusement and annoyance. “Yeah, Ava, I’m seeing it. Can we go now, or are you planning to write a sonnet about Riley’s outfit?” Ava gasped, clutching her chest as if he’d just suggested she insult the queen. “You *wish* you had my poetic skills.” She spun to me, winking. “Seriously, though, you look amazing. Don’t let him dull your shine.” “Noted,” I said, suppressing a grin. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got a party to crash.” Ava waved us off with a dramatic flourish, calling after us, “Steal the spotlight, Riley! And Ethan, don’t ruin it!” We both laughed as we walked to the car. Ethan sighed. “I should’ve known she’d find a way to make this about her.” I shrugged, still grinning. “That’s Ava. But hey, she’s not wrong. Let’s do this.” As I slid into the passenger seat, I couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. Maybe tonight wasn’t just about Ethan. Maybe it was about proving we could both handle whatever life threw at us. Ethan climbed into the driver’s seat, his jaw tight and his fingers gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing tethering him to the ground. He didn’t say anything as he started the car, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Without a word, he turned on the radio and cranked the volume up, a sharp beat filling the car and drowning out any chance for conversation. It was one of those high-energy songs, the kind designed to pump you up or distract you entirely. I shot him a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow. “You okay there, DJ Stress Vibes?” He didn’t answer right away, his eyes fixed on the road as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel in time with the music. Finally, he exhaled loudly. “Just trying to psych myself up, that’s all.” “Psych yourself up or drown out your own thoughts?” I asked, my voice cutting through the music just enough to be heard. Ethan’s lips twitched into a brief smirk, but it faded just as quickly. “Maybe both.” I reached over and turned the volume down a notch—not off, just enough so we didn’t have to yell. “Talk to me, man. What’s going on in that head of yours?” He hesitated, his grip on the wheel tightening before he finally spoke. “It’s just... this party. It’s not just a party, Riley. It’s *the* party. If I mess this up...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “You won’t mess it up,” I said firmly. “You’ve got this.” Ethan let out a humorless laugh. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one everyone’s going to be watching.” “No, but I am the one who’s going to make sure you don’t completely implode,” I quipped, trying to lighten the mood. He glanced at me, his expression softening just a bit. “You really think I can pull this off?” I snorted. “Ethan, I *know* you can pull this off. You’re Ethan-freaking-whatever-your-last-name-is. You’re charismatic, you’re confident, and you’ve got me by your side. What could possibly go wrong?” He groaned, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile. “Why do I let you talk me into these things?” “Because I’m your best friend and you know I’m always right,” I said, shooting him a grin. Ethan shook his head, laughing softly. “You’re insufferable.” “Yeah, but you’d be lost without me.” For a moment, the tension in the car eased, and we both relaxed into the banter. But as we pulled up to the party, Ethan’s fingers started drumming against the wheel again. “Alright,” he said, taking a deep breath as he put the car in park. “This is it.” “You’ve got this,” I said again, clapping him on the shoulder. He nodded, his jaw set as he turned off the car. But just as we stepped out, he paused, looking back at me. “Riley, seriously... thanks. For everything.” I smiled, shrugging like it was no big deal. “That’s what I’m here for. Now let’s go show them what you’re made of.” He nodded, and together, we headed for the entrance, the muffled thrum of music inside signaling that the night was just beginning. Whatever happened, we’d face it together—stress, chaos, and all.
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Latest chapter
Bouquet Of Deception 43
Riley’s POVI woke up to the feeling of warmth pressed against my chest, Ethan’s body curled into mine, his breath steady and slow.For a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to process everything.Holy shit.Last night was… intense. Incredible. Better than I ever could’ve imagined.I glanced down at him. His face was peaceful in sleep, his lips slightly parted, his dark hair a mess from my fingers running through it.God, he was beautiful.I felt a grin creep onto my face.Careful not to wake him, I ran my fingers lightly down his arm, enjoying the way his skin felt beneath my touch. His body shifted slightly, and I heard a sleepy groan escape him.“Mmm… what time is it?” he muttered, his voice raspy from sleep.I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. “Almost ten.”He groaned again, burying his face into my chest. “Too early.”I laughed softly. “Too early? After everything we did last night, I’d say we got plenty of rest.”He peeked up at me, his eyes still heavy
Bouquet Of Deception 42
Riley’s POVI woke up to the feeling of warmth pressed against my chest, Ethan’s body curled into mine, his breath steady and slow.For a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to process everything.Holy shit.Last night was… intense. Incredible. Better than I ever could’ve imagined.I glanced down at him. His face was peaceful in sleep, his lips slightly parted, his dark hair a mess from my fingers running through it.God, he was beautiful.I felt a grin creep onto my face.Careful not to wake him, I ran my fingers lightly down his arm, enjoying the way his skin felt beneath my touch. His body shifted slightly, and I heard a sleepy groan escape him.“Mmm… what time is it?” he muttered, his voice raspy from sleep.I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. “Almost ten.”He groaned again, burying his face into my chest. “Too early.”I laughed softly. “Too early? After everything we did last night, I’d say we got plenty of rest.”He peeked up at me, his eyes still heavy
Bouquet Of Deception 41
31RileyI didn’t sleep after that.Neither did Ethan, but he at least pretended to. I could hear him shifting under the blankets, the tension in his breathing giving him away. I lay still, staring at the ceiling, every muscle in my body tight. That sound in the hallway—it hadn’t been nothing. Someone had been there. Watching. Waiting.And I had a damn good idea who.By the time evening rolled around, I was done waiting for answers to come to us. If someone wanted to play games, I was going to beat them at it.Ethan was still half-asleep when I slipped out of the apartment, pulling on my jacket. I didn’t tell him where I was going—he’d only try to stop me.I needed to check my apartment again. Alone.The place was just as trashed as I’d left it. Papers still littered the floor, furniture overturned, the scent of dust and old whiskey lingering in the air. But as I stepped inside, something else hit me. A scent that didn’t belong.It was faint. Almost buried under everything else. But t
Bouquet Of Deception 40
?$$! 31Jane tapped her screen, opening her social media app. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, crafting the perfect post:Jane Cooper:"Betrayal cuts the deepest when it comes from someone you once trusted. After years of sacrifice, I was on the verge of securing the biggest deal of my career—until my ex-husband, Dylan, ruined everything out of petty jealousy. He couldn’t handle my success, so he made sure I lost it all. Some men just can’t stand to see a woman rise above them."She paused, rereading the words. They were strong, but they weren’t enough. She needed to twist the knife deeper. With a wicked gleam in her eyes, she continued:"And while I’ve been rebuilding from the damage he caused, he’s been doing just fine—thanks to Helen Nelson’s generosity. It’s funny, isn’t it? Some men will do anything to avoid earning their own way in life."Lisa let out a low whistle. “Savage. I love it.”Jane stared at the post for a moment longer, then, with a satisfied smirk, hit Post.31
Bouquet Of Deception 39
RileyEthan was avoiding me.Not obviously—not in a way that anyone else would notice—but I knew.He was quieter than usual. Fidgety. Kept his eyes on the TV but wasn’t actually watching. His fingers tapped against his knee like his thoughts were running too fast, like he couldn’t settle. And most importantly? He wasn’t looking at me. Not really.Which was funny, considering how, just minutes ago, he’d been pulling me down on top of him like he wanted me to ruin him.I smirked at the thought, shifting on the couch, letting my arm drape over the back of it—casual, easy. Ethan didn’t move away, but he didn’t lean into it, either.Interesting.“You’re thinking too much again,” I murmured, voice low.He tensed, a flicker of something crossing his face. “Am not.”I chuckled. “Liar.”That got me a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. His lips parted like he wanted to say something else, but then he stopped himself, shaking his head and focusing back on the screen.Right. That was enough
Bouquet Of Deception 38
Ethan I didn’t move at first. Didn’t breathe. Didn’t think. Because Riley was kissing me. Again. And just like the first time—just like at the wedding—I didn’t stop him. My brain barely had time to catch up before my body betrayed me, melting into the kiss like I’d been waiting for it. Maybe I had. His lips were firm, sure, like he already knew I wouldn’t pull away. Like he was daring me to push him off but knowing I wouldn’t. Because I never did. I wasn’t bold like him. I hesitated, second-guessed, let my thoughts get in the way of everything. But Riley? He just did what he wanted. Took what he wanted. And right now… He wanted me. The realization sent a shock through me, made my fingers curl into his hoodie, holding onto him as his hand slid to the back of my neck. He wasn’t letting me go. And hell, I wasn’t sure I wanted him to. But then— The microwave beeped. Loud. Obnoxious. Ruining everything. Riley pulled back first, but he didn’t go far. Just enough to smirk, his
Bouquet Of Deception 37
EthanI didn’t move at first.Didn’t breathe.Didn’t think.Because Riley was kissing me. Again.And just like the first time—just like at the wedding—I didn’t stop him.My brain barely had time to catch up before my body betrayed me, melting into the kiss like I’d been waiting for it. Maybe I had. His lips were firm, sure, like he already knew I wouldn’t pull away. Like he was daring me to push him off but knowing I wouldn’t.Because I never did.I wasn’t bold like him. I hesitated, second-guessed, let my thoughts get in the way of everything. But Riley? He just did what he wanted. Took what he wanted.And right now…He wanted me.The realization sent a shock through me, made my fingers curl into his hoodie, holding onto him as his hand slid to the back of my neck. He wasn’t letting me go. And hell, I wasn’t sure I wanted him to.But then—The microwave beeped.Loud. Obnoxious. Ruining everything.Riley pulled back first, but he didn’t go far. Just enough to smirk, his breath fanning
Bouquet Of Deception 36
31RileyI didn’t sleep after that.Neither did Ethan, but he at least pretended to. I could hear him shifting under the blankets, the tension in his breathing giving him away. I lay still, staring at the ceiling, every muscle in my body tight. That sound in the hallway—it hadn’t been nothing. Someone had been there. Watching. Waiting.And I had a damn good idea who.By the time evening rolled around, I was done waiting for answers to come to us. If someone wanted to play games, I was going to beat them at it.Ethan was still half-asleep when I slipped out of the apartment, pulling on my jacket. I didn’t tell him where I was going—he’d only try to stop me.I needed to check my apartment again. Alone.The place was just as trashed as I’d left it. Papers still littered the floor, furniture overturned, the scent of dust and old whiskey lingering in the air. But as I stepped inside, something else hit me. A scent that didn’t belong.It was faint. Almost buried under everything else. But t
Bouquet Of Deception Karma’s After party
35Ethan“I can’t slow down! This is GOLD!” she interrupted, her laughter bubbling through the phone. “Hold on, I’m sending you a link. No, actually, put me on speaker. Riley has to hear this!”I glanced at Riley, who was already looking at me with raised eyebrows. With a sigh, I hit the speaker button. “You’re on,” I said.“RILEY!” Ava shouted, her excitement palpable. “Check your phone right now! It’s all over Twitter, TikTok, everything! Liam’s wedding is the *scandal* of the year!”Riley’s eyes widened, and he immediately pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen. “Wait, no way,” he muttered, his expression shifting as he scrolled. Then, suddenly, he let out a bark of laughter. “Oh my God. She’s right. Ethan, you have to see this.”“What are you looking at?” I asked, still trying to process everything.“The hashtags are insane,” Riley said, turning his phone to show me the screen. “‘#LiamLiar,’ ‘#OwenDeservesBetter,’ ‘#WeddingGoneWrong’—dude, you’re *everywhere*.”
