Blacken by Alandra Rankin (i love reading books txt) 📕

In the pacing, he plotted. What was the best way to go through with it? Would there be resistance or retaliation in different scenarios? In his mind, he ran over every possible outcome, finding one that had the best approach after much consideration.

Owen was dedicated.

It had to be him.

Avie bit into the chocolate chip cookie, sugar instantly hitting her tongue.

She finished getting her blood drawn, donating in a sense for insurance purposes as the doctor advised—a birthday present to herself in an odd way. Munching on the extra goodie on her way home, she enjoyed the soft crumble made possible only by extra butter, having the thought roll over her mind if Rhulle had ever tried cookies and if she should bake some for tonight.

Walking the sidewalk of downtown, her eyes spotted a beautiful black dress in one of the boutique’s display cases, feeling an urge to go inside and take a closer look. Avie walked inside to the smell of cinnamon and marshmallow, a few decorative pumpkins and tacky Halloween decorations littered the store.

“Hello,” greeted the store clerk, “how are you?”

The redhead smiled at the young lady, “Very well, thank you! Yourself?”

The blonde woman straightened up, “Been a slow day if I’m honest, I’m happy for a customer, anything catching your eye?”

Avie turned back to the dress in the display, “Well, this dress is beautiful, I’ve got a date tonight and it’s practically calling my name.”

The clerk gasped in excitement, coming around the desk to assist, “No kidding, that’s bangin’! What’s your size? I can check to see if we have them in the back.”

This boutique associate couldn’t have been older than eighteen at the most, full of enthusiasm even if it was just a fake front most employees had to put on for the customers. She felt that wasn’t exactly the case here, however.

Avie matched her energy, “I’m about a size four, it must be pretty popular then!”

She laughed, blue eyes crinkling closed, “As if, we only had it come with a few sizes, it’s really more of an exclusive dress. I’ll be right back, help yourself to coffee or some water!”

The clerk bounced off, jade eyes following her path, choosing instead to turn back to the beautiful black dress, admiring the design as it formed the mannequin elegantly. The blue-eyed woman returned a moment later, looking thoughtful.

“So, there weren’t any in the back, like at all, but I’m wondering what was on the mannequin—it’s the last one in stock.” The woman turned hopeful, watching as she stepped into the display, checking the tag at the back of the garment. Her face lit up, “Good news! It’s a four!”

“It’s my lucky day! Thank you so much, I can’t believe it.” The blonde handed her the dress, Avie admiring the silk slip sleeves, the soft material of matte black, “Can I try it on?”

“You have to! I’ve never seen that dress on anyone besides the display. Here,” she led her towards the curtain change room, “my name is Kelly if you need a hand.”

The redhead nodded in thanks, starting to change as soon as the curtain closed. The piece zipped easily on the side, fitting a little snug, but looking beautiful on her. The material hugged the shape of her body, sheer sleeves wore off the shoulder and looped around her upper arms, showing off more skin than she was usually accustomed to. Avie felt truly beautiful in the dress, spinning around; trying to see every angle with a smile on her face.

She came out, showing off the dress to an excited Kelly.

“Wow! It looks perfect, like it was made for you, how do you like it?”

“I love it, Kelly. It’s a definite purchase, I almost don’t want to take it off!”

“That man is very lucky,” Kelly smirked, eyebrow raising in a coy manner at seeing the mark on her shoulder, “I’ll get you rung up whenever you’re ready,” she said with a wink.

Avie almost wanted to cover it, having a wave of embarrassment, before she laughed quietly. It wasn’t abnormal to have love bites and hickeys, and Kelly was young enough that she acknowledged that. She was glad someone older was not working, they most assuredly would be looking at her in disdain upon seeing her mark.

She took one last look at herself in the mirror, the dress had a lot of power—that, or she herself willed it to look so beautiful on her. Either way, it was perfect for the evening she was planning, another birthday gift to herself! Grabbing the giftbox holding the dress, Avie thumbed over the periwinkle case.

“Thank you so much for your help, Kelly.”

“It’s no problem! I hope you have fun on your date!”

They both shared a smile, saying their goodbyes.

Arriving home, only a few minutes from the boutique, she started right away on a dinner to take to Rhulle’s later. It would take a few hours for the pot roast to cook, wanting everything to be ready and perfect for the night, excitement vibrating through her instead.

She flicked on the television as background noise while she set off to work, the time flying by in her craft.

With everything finally prepared, Avie applied the umpteenth bobby pin into her hair, keeping the curls tucked into an elegant updo as she affixed some well-placed jewelry. Stepping into black tights and heels, she was about to slip on the little black dress, when a knock on the door interrupted her. Cursing, she threw on a silken robe, jaunting to the spy hole and peeking through; not expecting anyone.

It was Owen.

The woman still didn’t want to see him quite yet; she accepted that he may no longer be a part of her life as her once good friend. Seeing him still hurt, she was not ready to let the person she knew leave.

Regardless, she opened the door, “What do you want, Owen?”

The man in question held up a small box, wrapped in purple and pink, “It’s still your