Piece of Tail by Celia Kyle Page B

stroked the red dress that had caught her eye. It was a gorgeous, strapless, two-piece outfit that seemed made for Gina. The top, a lace-up satin corset, looked to be the right size, as did the floor-length skirt. It wasn't the deep, blood red color that called to her most though. No, it was the spots. Tiny leopard-inspired rosettes were embroidered all over the full skirt and lined the top of the corset as if proclaiming “I'm wild and I'm proud of it!” She needed this dress. Had to have this dress. No other outfit for her wedding would do. It was this or she'd go naked. Period.
    "Uh, Gina. I'm not wearing that as a bridesmaid. A cat has to have some pride and I'm not dressing up—"
    Gina cut Blaze off. “It's not for you, it's for me.” She carefully removed the outfit from the rack and cradled it in her arms.
    "But, Gi, it's a bridesmaid dress. We're in the ‘bridesmaid’ section, honey. White, remember?” Blaze reached for the dress.
    Gina growled. “Nope. It's mine. It's this or naked, Blaze. Swear to Sekhmet."
    Blaze sighed. “All right, but you're telling Meg."
    Meg wouldn't care. Meg believed in the power of The Right Dress and now Gina knew why. She'd tell the world she was proud to love her men, would bind her life to theirs, and this was the dress to do it in.
    An hour later they were all piled into Meg's little car, Gina's dress tucked safely in the trunk despite Meg's protests that they needed to keep shopping for veils, slips, shoes, jewelry, gloves, flowers…
    "I hope Patrick's parents don't think less of you for you for not wearing white,” Meg said.
    "They'll think I have excellent taste,” she stated, matter-of-factly.
    Meg rolled her eyes and pulled into the flow of traffic, heading toward her farm. “You have some sort of taste, that's for sure."
    Gina stuck her tongue out at her friend. “It was that dress or go naked, woman. Get over it. Besides, I think they'd much prefer me clothed, thankyouverymuch. And at this point, I don't think I can do any wrong. Both Daniel's and Patrick's parents assumed they'd never get grandkids and now that they've got me, they're tickled pink. Even if the kid comes out with a tail."
    Blaze laughed out loud and Meg smiled, shaking her head and sighing. “I can't wait to dress both of you for my wedding. Now that Blaze has opened my eyes to fashion, and you've opened my eyes to possibilities, my imagination is running wild."
    "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever you say Meg-sie. I'll even keep my tail under wraps for your shindig."
    Meg slammed on the brakes and Gina caught herself on the dashboard, face inches from the windshield.
    "What the—"
    "Whoa!” Blaze slapped into the back of Gina's seat.
    "You'll what?” Meg stared at her as if she had two heads and that's when Gina noticed the cloud of dust surrounding the car. At least they'd made it onto a side road.
    "Meg, you're really taking this disobedient thing a little too far. I don't think breaking laws and causing accidents should be part of the “new” you. Okay?"
    Meg glared at her. “Don't try to change the subject. You are not to let the tail out to play at any of our weddings, Gina. Do you know how many cameras are at weddings? One near disaster was enough!” Pale black stripes appeared on Meg's neck and Gina knew the tigress was growing more agitated by the moment. But, dammit, this was her wedding.
    "You know what—"
    "Bitches, please.” Blaze growled. “Meg, this is Gina's wedding, you'll let her do what the hell she wants with the exception of getting her freak on in the middle of the dance floor. Gina, your tail can come out and play, but no intentionally freaking out the human guests. The dress you picked will mostly hide it, and we can work with that for our weddings, too. Everyone got it?"
    Silence reigned in the car as the seconds ticked by and eventually, Gina said what she was sure Meg had been thinking. “Damn, woman, we all move out of Half-were House and now you've decided to be our