Once the Fiancé, Now the Bride (9/12)

Gabi sat in the living room, absently tapping her manicured nails against her phone. She sighed, hoping for a quiet night, but her stomach tightened with unease as Kat and Lucy strutted in, smug smiles plastered across their faces.

“Emily called,” Lucy said, her grin practically glowing with mischief. “She wants to set up a date.”

Gabi’s head shot up, her glossy lips parting in shock. Her chest fluttered, a flicker of hope sparking deep inside her. “A date?” she asked, her voice soft and filled with cautious optimism.

Kat leaned against the arm of the couch, watching her with a smirk. “Not with you, sweetheart. It’s a double date—Emily and her boyfriend, and you and Ryan.”

The flicker of hope in Gabi’s chest died as quickly as it had come. “No,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “Absolutely not. I’m not doing something so humiliating.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Lucy teased, moving to block Gabi’s path as she stood. “It wasn’t a question. We’ve got your outfit picked out already.”

Before Gabi could argue, Kat grabbed her wrist and practically dragged her into the bedroom. On the bed lay the outfit—black satin and lace, daringly revealing and undeniably feminine. The slinky material shimmered in the soft light, promising to cling to every curve that Kat and Lucy had so carefully cultivated.

Gabi squirmed in her seat as Kat styled her hair into a sleek, glossy cascade, the dark strands falling smoothly over her shoulders with a flawless shine. Lucy leaned over the vanity, applying makeup with deliberate precision. A soft, natural pink lip gloss highlighted Gabi’s lips, giving them a delicate sheen, while her eyes were framed by dramatic winged eyeliner and long, fluttery lashes. Subtle contouring enhanced her cheekbones, giving her a sophisticated yet sultry allure.

The dress was a masterpiece in black satin, its daring cutouts revealing tantalizing glimpses of skin while still exuding elegance. The high slit on one leg promised to draw every eye in the room with every step she took. The sheer lace gloves added a touch of seductive mystery, their intricate floral patterns clinging delicately to her arms. Finally, platform heels completed the ensemble, their sleek black straps forcing her to stand tall despite the weight of her discomfort.

Kat gave the dress one last adjustment, smoothing the satin over Gabi’s hip as Lucy stepped forward with a pair of dangling rhinestone earrings. She carefully slipped them into place, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. “Now you’re ready,” Lucy said.

The girls dropped her off at a chic restaurant, leaving her alone on the curb. She could see Emily waving from the patio, her smile bright and welcoming. For a moment, Gabi hesitated, the thought of bolting crossing her mind. But there was nowhere to go, not like this.

“Gabi!” Emily called, rushing to meet her. She looked stunning, dressed casually but with an effortless elegance that made Gabi’s chest tighten.

“I’m so glad you agreed to this,” Emily said, pulling her into a quick hug. As she stepped back, her smile softened. “Honestly, when I first saw you like this, I didn’t know how to feel.”

She hesitated for a moment, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “It was such a shock. I wasn’t sure if we could still… work. But then Kat and Lucy told me you’d already moved on and started dating men.” Her smile brightened. “And honestly, I felt so relieved.”

Gabi’s stomach churned. “Emily, wait, I need to—”

“Hey, babe,” a man’s voice cut in warmly, sliding an arm around Emily’s waist and pulling her close.

Gabi froze as the man leaned down, kissing Emily deeply on the lips. Emily melted into him, her hands pressing against his chest as she smiled up at him afterward. “Oh! Gabi, this is Jake,” she said proudly, barely glancing back as she introduced him.

Before Gabi could process it, Ryan appeared, slipping an arm around her waist with a smirk. “There you are,” he said before pulling her into a deep, possessive kiss. Gabi’s mind reeled as she felt his grip tighten on her hip, the kiss forcing her into silence.

The date passed in a blur. Jake and Ryan dominated the conversation, discussing sports and business while Emily chimed in with laughter and stories. Gabi barely spoke, her mind racing with ways to explain the truth to Emily. But every time she worked up the courage, Ryan would brush his hand against hers or Emily would beam at her, and the words would die in her throat.

By the end of the night, as the four of them stood by the cars, Emily pulled Gabi aside.

“I’m so glad we did this,” she whispered, her smile warm and genuine. “I wasn’t sure how things would work out at first, but seeing you like this… it’s just so much better, don’t you think? And Ryan and Jake are such hunks. Us girls totally lucked out!”

Emily gave her a quick hug before climbing into Jake’s car, leaving Gabi standing there with Ryan’s arm draped possessively over her shoulders.

Ryan’s hand slid boldly under her dress, his fingers brushing against bare skin as he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “Ready for a good time, babe?” he murmured with a smirk.

Gabi’s body stiffened, her breath hitching as heat flooded her cheeks. She stared at Emily as the car pulled away, her chest tightening as the reality of her situation sank in—Emily had moved on, and Ryan wasn’t letting go.