Beautifully Shattered (The Beautifully Series Book 1) by Courtney Kristel Page B

do I forget about
this every year? It’s mind-boggling that my brother hasn’t
strangled me yet.
    I scrunch up my nose.
“I didn’t need you to explain yourself, dear brother. I’m
irritated that you assumed I forgot again. How could I with you
reminding me all of the time?” I think I’m convincing enough, but
just to make sure I add, “Oh and not to make a big deal or anything
but I already have my dress, shoes, and a mask.” I throw up my
hands. “But no big deal or anything.”
    As I talk, I realize
how much I have to do in such little time.
    Logan grunts at my
antics. “I won’t even pretend that I’m not surprised, Addie. I
thought for sure you forgot like you do every year.” Shaking his
head, he addresses Connor. “Well shit, I guess Jax won the bet
after all.”
    Connor groans as he
explains, “Our dear brother here has been making a big deal about
how you would forget yet again. So Jax, of course, bet Logan a small
sum that you wouldn’t forget. He kept going on and on about how you
actually would have your dress and everything by tonight. It was
annoying how he was defending your honor and whatnot.”
    “What!” I say in
mock outrage.
    “I’m with your
brother on this one, Addie. I can’t believe you remembered. You
have the worst, and I mean the worst memory when it comes to planned
events.” Connor ties his long shaggy blonde hair into a knot at the
back of his head.
    “Man, I kinda want to
ditch the rest of the day. I do not want to run into that smug
bastard,” Logan tells Connor.
    “Well, then I guess
next time you won’t bet against your sister!” I say.
    I can’t imagine how I
can possibly get myself out of the hole I’ve dug myself into.
There’s no way I can find a dress last minute. Not for an event of
this stature. The only option is for the earth to open up and swallow
me whole. If I don’t want to be so dramatic, I can always wear my
dress from last year. They’re men, they won’t notice . . . I
hope.
    “Oh shut up. Like you
would have bet any differently.”
    I don’t have time to
listen to them. I have a dress to find. I make an excuse to leave.
After giving my brother a hug, I ask, “How much was the bet
anyways?”
    “I’ll see you
tomorrow night, Addie,” Logan says, ignoring me, which only piques
my interest.
    As Connor gives me a
hug he whispers, “Let me know when and where if you decide to take
the hot doc up on his offer,” into my ear so only I can hear.
    Once I’m in the cab I quickly
calculate that I have about six hours and tomorrow morning to find
something. This is New York, I’ve totally got this. Will my plan
work? Will Connor blab to Jax? Only one way to find out. With that
thought, I find enough courage to stick to my game plan and text
Kohen.
    Me: Hey it’s Adalynn. Sorry about yesterday, let me make it
up to you . . . dinner on me?
    I get a text back from him within
seconds.
    Kohen: One condition
    Me: And that would be . . .
    Kohen: Dinner’s on me. How does eight sound?
    I contemplate if that’s enough
time or not. Doubtful since I’ll need to jump in a quick shower and
reapply my makeup from spending the rest of the day shopping. I’ll
need at least an extra hour to make sure I’m presentable for the
first date I’ve had in six years. I force myself to stop thinking
about that and text Kohen back.
    Me: Make it nine and you have yourself a deal ;)
    Kohen: Great. See you tonight.
    As the cab pulls up to
the first store, I hold back a groan. I am in no mood to shop. I have
a date to prepare for and I’m in desperate need of at least one
bottle of wine to help my nerves. I’ll
have more than enough time tomorrow before the ball . With
that settled, I close the door and tell the cab driver my address. He
doesn’t hold back his grunt of irritation. As he veers into
traffic, I call Connor.
    “Miss me alr—”
    “So I have a date
tonight at nine.”
    “HOLY SHIT!” Connor
says so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my now