Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon Book #2)(63)

Summer insisted that Joey and Gia try on the bridesmaids dress first to make sure they approved.

Eggplant in color, the full-length chiffon skirt floated rather than hung. Subtle beading woven throughout the layers caught the light here and there. The fitted bodice dipped just low enough to be interesting without racy and the open back took the entire dress to another level.

“Oh my God, Joey. This dress is amazing,” Gia said, stroking the fabric with her palm.

She heard Joey’s dressing room door open and then the whisper soft rustle of chiffon. “Yeah, I guess it’s okay.”

Gia opened her door. Joey was turning this way and that in the three-way mirror.

“Holy freaking crap, Joey. You look incredible.”

She’d released her rich, coffee-toned hair from its tail, leaving it in soft waves framing her face and shoulders. The top fit her like a second skin, highlighting her subtle curves and slim, strong shoulders.

Joey turned around again and frowned. “It’s not bad.”

“Joey. Jax is going to have an aneurysm when he sees you in that dress.”

The corners of her full lips turned up just a little, and Gia caught a distinct sparkle in her warm, brown eyes.

“Well, let’s get out there and show off so we can go to lunch,” Joey said with a nod. She turned around and studied Gia.

“You look good,” she said with a nod. “Beckett’s going to shit bricks.”

They hustled out of the dressing area to the front where Summer, Phoebe, and Annette waited. Phoebe and Annette had flutes of champagne.

“Oh!” Summer said, bringing her hands to her cheeks. “You two look amazing! Please tell me you like the dress. I know you’ll never be able to wear it again. I’m not the delusional bride who promises that. And Gia, we’ll have yours hemmed. But it’s just so perfect for both of you. Do you like it?”

“Summer, its stunning,” Gia said. “You couldn’t have picked a more beautiful dress.”

“Or more beautiful bridesmaids,” Summer reminded them. “What do you think, Joey?”

“It’s purple. Very purple,” Joey said, studying herself in the mirror. “But I do have a concern.”

Summer’s face fell by a degree. “What’s that?”

“Your dress had better be kick ass or we’re going to outshine the hell out of you.”

Luckily, Summer’s dress did kick ass. She had chosen the full organza skirt from one dress and combined it with the scalloped lace cup bodice of another. To join the two pieces — and camouflage the baby bump that would be evident in another month — Sashi deftly wrapped a wide piece of organza around and around Summer’s waist, tucking it here, tufting it there.

With quick hands, she pinned it into place and took a step back. “What do you think?” she asked, shoving a hand through her thick fringe of bangs.

Summer toyed nervously with one of the delicate spaghetti straps. Her cheeks were flushed.

“I think it’s …”

She turned around to face them. Her circle of women, her friends and mother. Gia’s fingers flew to her mouth.

“What do you think?” she asked them.

Summer’s mother answered first, with silent tears. “Perfect. You’re absolutely perfect,” she sighed.

“Oh, now there I go, too,” Phoebe sniffled, digging through her bag for a tissue.

“You look gorgeous, Summer,” Gia told her. “It’s exactly right.”

Eyes damp, Joey chugged her champagne and nodded briskly. “No one’s going to outshine you.”

Summer wiped briskly at her own tears. “I’m so happy.” She ran the hand wearing her engagement ring over her belly. “So very happy.”

“Would you like to see Summer in a veil?” Sashi offered, doling out tissues like they were cookies.

“Yes!” they all answered.

While Sashi and Summer debated mantillas and headpieces, Gia’s phone signaled a text message from Evan. Drying her eyes, she opened it.

“Oh my God.”



Beckett sucked in his cheeks and made a fish face.

“Like here?” Jax said, shoving a fluffy makeup brush in the hollow of his cheek.

“No, dumbass. On the cheekbones.” Beckett moved the brush higher.

“What color should I put on his eyes, Roar?” Jax asked.

Aurora looked up from the sparkly clips she was adding to Carter’s beard. “Um,” she tapped a little finger to her chin. “How about ba-loo?”

“Blue it is,” Jax said, smearing blue eye shadow on his finger and reaching for Beckett’s face.

“Not like dat, Jazz!” Aurora — her lime green sparkly eye shadow spread across her face like a mask — hopped off Carter’s lap and hurried over. She chose a brush that looked like it was meant to apply paint and dragged it through the blue shadow. “Close your eyes, Bucket.”

He obliged and felt the feather light pressure of the brush coating his eyes, temples, and part of his forehead.

“Dere! Now you’re perfect,” she sighed and patted his face happily.

“Thanks, shortcake. How does Jax look?”

She turned to study his brother. “Good,” she nodded. “I gotta finish Car’s hair and den we can take selfies.”