Leah pulled a face when Vienna criticized an expression she was trying to hide. “I do not. You’re seeing things.” With a twitch of her shoulder, the blonde readjusted her features, aiming for something akin to solemn. However, the attempt was foiled at Vienna’s quip. Leah’s eyes narrowed, her expression showing faux annoyance. “Did you get paid to insult people when you did this? ‘Cause that kinda job would’ve been right up my alley. Antagonizing the people who agreed to help you out.”
“I suppose I should at least be thankful that Bea and Rae aren’t here in their dresses. And you, for that matter. You’d all outshine me.” As it was, she generally felt out of place among a group of women. It was still a new concept to her – having friends. Even if she’d been shitty at it lately. That was another reason she’d agreed to this, to help her reconnect.
Returning the smirk wasn’t as easy as it should’ve been. “He might. Right now, I don’t know. He’s been irritated with me since before Christmas.” She shrugged and glanced down. She hadn’t really talked to anyone about it, mostly because it was entirely her fault (again) that they were off kilter. “But I don’t want to bore you with that. I’m mostly doing these pictures for Mari, anyway, so that she’ll have pretty pictures of Mommy to look forward to when she’s feeling better.”
Leah snorted a soft laugh. “Sorry, but zombie prom is all I see when I look at these gowns.” She was mostly saying it to give her friend a hard time. It really was an intriguing concept, the contrast of the beautiful and the ugly. Evan had trained her eyes to see those details. The artistic vision. “Yeah, yeah. Trust. Blah, blah. Guess I should at least be glad you’re not making me be naked. That would’ve gotten a firm no.”
“That looks simple enough.” With a slight flick of her neck to send her long hair forward, Leah raised her hand to assume the pose, letting her fingers trail gently through her hair. “Hope it doesn’t get any more difficult than this. Am I allowed to talk, or does that ruin your ‘artistic vision’?” She spoke the last two words mockingly, teasingly.