Sealed with a Hiss by Addison Moore (read 50 shades of grey .txt) 📕

to be a lot of bodies in that ballroom that night. I might overheat in this.” I pluck at the creamy quilt with its large, triangular sections of red and pink fabric. If the circus came to town, they might just storm this shop and demand to get their tents back. “You don’t want me passing out, do you?”

Mackenzie and Gwyn exchange a brief look as if considering the entertaining possibilities an event like that might bring. I know how their wicked minds work, and yes, I just referenced Jasper’s mother as wicked.

This is one of those moments where I’m glad there’s not another mind reader in the room.

Gwyneth takes a moment to glower at me. “I know what you’re thinking, Bizzy. And yes, we do like you. In fact, we love you. We’re going to be family. Nobody is trying to humiliate you by putting you in one of these festive dresses. It just so happens that our shared wedding day is of a quirky nature, and we think it fits the theme beautifully.”

“Oh?” I examine the two women before me. “So I take it you’ll be wearing something quirky yourselves?”

Georgie gasps as she trots in close. “That’s a brilliant idea! I’ll have a couple of special wonky quilt wedding dresses made up just for the two of you. I’ll have my seamstresses whip up something with lots of silver and gold—real classy deals. Hear that, Ree?” she shouts to my mother. “We’re about to take the bridal business by storm!”

I lift a brow as I look to Mackenzie, ready to call her bluff.

Mack’s mouth contorts into all sorts of crazy shapes.

“Knew it,” I say. “The only quirky part of this wedding is me, admit it.”

My mother steps over and gives a long blink.

“I’m sorry, Bizzy.” She takes a full breath while admiring me in the atrocity. “But it’s not your big day. And you did agree to stand up for both Gwyneth and Mackenzie. I’m afraid what they say goes.”

“That’s right,” Mackenzie is quick to agree with my mother’s lunacy. “But seeing that you’re so combative in regards to our wishes, only goes to show how you really feel about us. I’m sure if Emmie would have asked you to wear something comfortable and cozy on her big day, you’d be thrilled to do it.”

It’s true. I’d show up naked for Emmie’s wedding day if that’s what she wanted, but then again, she’s not vindictive and will most likely want me to look halfway decent. The fact that Gwyn and Mack want me to wear this couch potato costume on their big day says a lot of things about them, and none of them are good.

Sherlock comes sniffing around my midsection. Don’t you have one like this at home? Didn’t Jasper tell you just last week that it was one of his favorite dresses on you?

It’s true on both counts. Not only do I have a wonky dress to call my very own, but Jasper said he loves it because it’s easy to take off. I believe the words he used were easy access, and he wasn’t wrong.

Mackenzie points to my hip. “Sherlock is trying to tell you it has pockets.”

“Oh, women love pockets,” Gwyn is quick to adulate the dress’ one redeemable feature.

“Fine,” I say.

“Fine?” My mother squints my way. If anyone here understands the deeper meaning of the word fine, it’s my mother. She should—she redefined the more esoteric use of the word.

“Yes. Fine.” I double down on the fact I’m resorting to her lexicon. “If that’s what the brides want, that’s what I’ll wear.”

“Oh goodie.” Mackenzie claps my way. “Just wait until you see the hat I’m having made to match.”

“Don’t push your luck,” I tell her just as my sister strides in looking ever so sleek in a black catsuit and a bright pink blazer on over that.

Her lips flicker in my direction, and I can feel the zinger coming.

“Trying on some hot lingerie to regale Jasper with?”

Knew it. Little does she know, she’s not that far off base.

Georgie slaps her hands together. “Wonky lingerie! Bizzy, you come up with the best ideas.”

“Don’t forget about the wonky bridal gowns,” I tell her as I wink at Gwyn and Mackenzie. “You can thank me later.” I head over to my saucy sister while Georgie busies the brides-to-be with swatches for their build-your-own bridal gown adventure.

Macy shakes her head as she sizes me up.

“This is exactly why I said no when the two of them asked me to stand up for them.”

I suck in a quick breath. “They asked you first? You mean I’m second rate?”

“Third,” my mother says. “They asked me, too.” She shrugs. “Come to think of it, they might have asked Georgie, too.”

“Figures.” I glance their way. “But, on the upside”—I shrug—“never mind. I can’t seem to find one.”

Mom rolls her eyes. “Bizzy, it’s your first Valentine’s Day as a married woman. You’re going to have a blast. More importantly, Jasper will. Just try to think about shoes.”

“Mother. Eww.” I’m tempted to swat her, but the sleeves alone on this thing weigh a ton. “And just for the record, I will have a blast, too.”

Georgie scuttles our way with both cats in her arms. “What did I miss?”

Macy forces a short-lived smile. “Bizzy is filling us in on her sex life.”

“So I missed nothing,” Georgie doesn’t miss a beat either.

“Very funny,” I say. “Macy, are you familiar with a man by the name of Tiger Caldwell?”

“No, but with a name like Tiger, I’m pretty sure I should be. Why? Does he owe you money?”

“No, that would be you,” I say. “I’m investigating him.”

A sickly moan emits from our mother. “Please don’t, Bizzy. It’s bad enough I have to worry about the fact you might just run the inn into the ground. The last thing I want to think about is you running around with bad guys with guns.”

Gwyneth calls my mother over, and I’m only mildly relieved.

“Does she really think I’m going to