Betrayal Codes

Chapter 13: Libby

These days, it seemed we couldn't go anywhere that wasn't fancy. It also seemed the boys forgot to provide us with the dress code. "You need to change," was how Aiden greeted us when we arrived.

"You need to start telling us how fancy these dinners are going to be," Taylor shot back. They seemed to be in a verbal war ever since the gala. They couldn't speak to each other unless one was contradicting the other.

"We did. You didn't listen," Aiden sniped.

"Okay, okay, thank you. We're heading back to our room," Shay interjected. Thank goodness. Who knows how long it would have continued if we let them go at it.

We rushed back to our rooms, thankful the dinner was at the hotel. It would have been a disaster if it was a distance away. "Good god, we're going to run out of dresses if that man doesn't stop booking reservations for royalty," Taylor mumbled to herself as she pushed clothes out of her way to find a suitable outfit.

"At least the restaurant is in the hotel," Cleo voiced my previous thought.

Shay emerged from the bathroom in her new outfit. "What do we think?" She gives us a twirl, flaring the loose, satin skirt. She paired the black skirt with a silver satin corset top and topped it with a black blazer. I'll admit, it was a bit too seductive for this simple dinner, but Shay wouldn't wear something like that without a good reason so I don't challenge it. "Much better than before," I supply.

Cleo goes next. She slips into the bathroom and comes out in a much more appropriate outfit. She was wearing a simple, long-sleeved, cream dress. Her dark red hair was down, concealing her shoulders, but contrasting the white boldly. It wasn't common for Cleo to dress in something other than black, but she really should wear colors more often, she owned this look.

One second later, Taylor bounces in front of the mirror from her side of the room. It seems she hadn't bothered to change in the bathroom. "It was this or something way too fancy," Taylor contemplates. Her dress is a light brown with a flowy skirt, ruffled bodice, and puffy sleeves. She looks a bit like a princess preparing to run away and fade into the commoner population.

"This," Shay confirms.

She spins around to examine herself in the mirror again. "I don't know..."

"Tay, stop. Who are you trying to impress anyways? Cole is Libby's. Tucker is mine. And you hate Aiden. So even if you don't look good — which you do — what does it matter?"

I balked. "Is it that obvious?"

"Oh, please. We have brains, Lib. We're spies, remember?" Cleo smiles slyly.

"Man, we were going to announce it at dinner but now–"

"Eeee!" Shay squeals, interrupting me. "Holy cow, really? You two are a thing?" I nod. "Oh my god, yes! I knew it! Tay, you owe me and Cleo ten bucks! Yes!"

"Seriously? You're ecstatic because you get ten dollars? And you guys were betting on my relationship?" I ask, appalled. It was very unlike them. Although, I suppose, these girls just kept surprising me on this mission. Maybe I don't know them as well as I thought.

"Well, sure, yay for you. So happy that you're happy and all that. However, I have been broke for the last week because that boutique was too cute and I had to buy that one jacket, so I need the money — even if it's only ten bucks. So yes, I'm excited because I can buy things now," Shay says, snatching the cash from Taylor's hand. "Sorry, not sorry."

"Oh man," I grin. "I love you, Shay."

"Love you too, Lib." She blows me a kiss. "Now get dressed. I have something more revealing than my outfit for you. If you want," she winks.