"I never said you're not a real man, I'm just going to give you shit about it. Trust me, women appreciate it when things are trimmed." She tossed him a wink, amused by how adamant he was about this. Don't mess with Robbie and his grooming rituals.
"Red is good for Gryffs," she clarified, looking herself over in the mirror. "You know, I think this dress could get me shagged. Nice pick." The afternoon had turned awkward and she hated it. Hated that no matter where she went this mark followed her. She was brash and reckless but she rarely had regrets about what she did. Roping Katie into things? That was one thing she wished she could take back. All of her statements and actions that led to this? She'd do them all over again. It was only skin.
Some days she wanted to ask him if he knew. If he knew she was going to be dragged inside a room where a piece of burning metal was going to be put into her skin. She hated Percy for standing there and doing nothing, but had Robbie done the same? "Come on, perk up. It's not my fault you can't fill out a dress like me. You're still the pretty one. What should I try on next?"
Alicia was a master of avoiding the serious. Now was not going to be an exception.