No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 56

LAUREN'S POV

After holding me in a hug for almost five minutes, she finally let me go. My arms dropped slowly, the warmth of her embrace still lingering on my shoulders. It almost felt like she was trying to squeeze all the hesitation out of me until I had no choice but to give in. I exhaled softly and forced a small smile.

“Well, as long as we’re going together, I don’t think I’ll regret it,” I said, trying to convince both her and myself at the same time.

“Of course you wouldn’t,” she replied with her usual confidence, as if she already knew the ending of a story I hadn’t even agreed to live through yet. Then she clapped her hands lightly and turned toward the wardrobe with a sudden burst of energy. “Now, let’s get down to the main issue.”

I frowned and tilted my head. “Which is?” I asked, following her steps as she crossed the room like a woman on a mission.

She glanced back at me like I had asked the most obvious question in the world. “Your outfit, obviously. I’m sure you don’t intend to go there dressed as a mom, right?”

The way she said “mom” made it sound like a fashion crime. I opened my mouth to respond with a defensive remark, but then I paused. Reality hit me all at once. She wasn’t wrong. I had left Ethan’s house in such a hurry that I hadn’t packed properly. I only had my work clothes and, as Tessa loved to label them, my “mom clothes.”

“If by ‘mom clothes’ you mean dressing responsibly, then yes, those were the only dresses I came here with,” I admitted reluctantly. My tone carried more pride than I actually felt.

Tessa spun on her heel. “I knew it! Even back in college, you weren’t much of the dressing type.” She clicked her tongue like it was a tragedy. “But don’t worry. I already have it under control.”

I crossed my arms, a bit nervous. “Tess, you’re not going to make me wear one of those slut dresses, are you?”

She gave me a mock gasp “First of all, it’s not a slut dress. And second of all, you’re not married anymore, so there’s nothing stopping you from wearing it.” Her attention barely left the mountain of fabric she was digging through in her wardrobe. Clothes flew left and right like she was an archaeologist determined to uncover some long-lost treasure.

I stared at her in disbelief. Did she already have this planned out? Did she know from the start that I’d eventually agree to come with her? The thought made me groan internally. Of course she did. That was Tessa — persistent, crafty, and always three steps ahead of me.

Jeez. Thankfully, this was the first and last time.

Her triumphant shout snapped me out of my thoughts. “Found you!” she declared, yanking out a dress with the excitement of someone winning the lottery. She held it up briefly, though the fabric was so crumpled that I couldn’t make out the details.

I felt a spike of dread. “Tessa…”

She only grinned wider, clearly proud of her find.

I didn’t trust her enthusiasm one bit. Before she could wave it in my face, I snatched the dress from her hands and shook it out, holding it properly so I could take a better look.

My brows immediately furrowed. My heart sank to my stomach.

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