leaving my skin soft and supple to the touch. Then I sprayed my favourite perfume, Marc Jacobs, Daisy, dotting the delicately alluring scent around the pulse points of my throat, and wrists.
My meticulously planned outfit for the night ahead lay on the bed; black lacy Victoria Secret panties, their delicate lace see-through, giving the slightest of hints to the treasures lying beneath and a simple backless one-shouldered bodycon dress in black. No bra required. Extremely short, the hem barely stopped mid-thigh. I had to say, as I admired myself in the full-length mirror, the fitted dress was definitely worth the expense.
I then moved toward my antique dresser and perched on the chair, slipping a pair of four-inch black strappy diamanté heels over my feet. Cute. I knew the perfect piece of jewellery to complement them too — my square-cut eighteen-carat white gold diamond earrings, a twenty-first birthday present from my grandfather, Barrett McGovern. I pushed the studs into my lobes and took one last look in the mirror before exiting the room to join the others in the kitchen for yet more celebratory glasses of champagne.
“Looking spectacular ladies.” I smiled, handing them each a flute. “Now a toast – here’s to a successful evening – and to hopefully getting laid.”
In our typical manner, we were fashionably an hour late, eventually arriving at the Jaeger’s residence, a sprawling French-inspired mansion residing in the leafy upper-class suburb of Toorak. The town car curved smoothly around the crescent-shaped driveway with our driver halting beside a brightly lit water fountain, it’s centrepiece a mother nursing her child. A sure sign Audrina loved her children I thought.
Dominique clumsily stepped out first. “Oh, whoops! I had better not fall into that.” She laughed loudly, adjusting her fitted cranberry red midi dress.
“I’m so buzzed,” a slurring Poppy announced, sliding across the black leather seat. “That bottle of champagne Audrina had waiting in the car has put me over the edge.” Elegantly swinging her legs and climbing from the car without falling at least, she stood to straighten her short V-neck chiffon daffodil cocktail dress. With her warm, honey blonde hair slicked back and natural makeup highlighting coffee brown eyes, she looked stunning.
“I know what you mean.” God, I was just as drunk. I giggled like one too. Falling out behind her, I was desperately trying not to fall into the fountain myself. Hours spent getting dressed up would’ve been a pointless exercise otherwise. Teetering on high heels while drunk was not a great mix either, making the amble up the cobblestone-paved footpath to the front door quite the tricky task.
Dominique’s parent’s, Jaxson and Audrina stood in the covered breezeway, greeting each guest as they arrived, directing them in through the house and out to the open marquee in the expansive backyard. Ruby red lips mischievously quirked as Audrina embraced each of us.
“Oh, my goodness, girls, you’re sloshed already,” she murmured in her ever-present English accent.
With her alabaster skin and flowing locks of glossy jet-black hair, Audrina had always reminded me of Snow White; classically beautiful. Well, that’s who I’d compared her to as I grew up. Nevertheless, it was a term of endearment she grew to love.
As a small child, whenever our families came together, I’d stand by the doors, eagerly awaiting to see if any forest animals followed her inside. It was a dream that never once took place, quite disheartening really, particularly when you’re only three years old.
“That, Snow White would suggest we drank copious amounts of champagne,” I asserted giggling, returning her embrace. “Which I might add…you just happened to supply.”
She laughed. “In my defence, I only provided one bottle.” Her deep chocolate gaze playfully narrowed, scanning each of us. “But by the looks of you four already, you drank a bottle before you left home.”
“A whole bottle doesn’t go far between four, does it, Daddy?” Dominique insisted, hugging her beloved father.
“Aye, it doesn’t. But then your mother wouldn’t know because she doesn’t like sharing, even with me,” Jaxson dryly agreed, earning a deathly glare from his wife. “You all look positively stunning.” Glowing sapphire blue eyes twinkled as he bent down, kissing each of our cheeks. “You’ll be spending the night trying to run away from those handsome suitors we have here. How in those shoes, I haven’t the slightest? Perhaps I might suggest giving you each a cricket bat to swat them away?”
“No bats needed, Dad. Now promise the girls and me here, you won’t go chasing them off?” she haughtily demanded, grabbing the lapels of his black dinner jacket roughly.
“Now, Dom, the lack of faith in your father’s disheartening. Why on earth would I need to chase any suitor off?” His mouth twitched in wry amusement. Considering the Jaeger’s had lived in Australia for over twenty years, his Northern Irish lilt hadn’t lessened much either. “I’ll just send Ari after them if they dishonour any of you.”
Jaxson was Audrina’s Prince Charming. Dressed in his black dinner suit with his neatly combed raven hair substantially greying, he was still quite the head-turner, even at sixty.
“All righty then, you know it’s time to go and join the party when the ‘rents are embarrassing you already,” Dominique grumbled turning to Scarlett. “Are you coming?”
“Yes! I need to find me a man!” Linking her arm through Dominique’s, they promptly made their way towards the open French doors at the back of the house.
I just shook my head and followed. I was too busy perusing for somebody much older and much more handsome.
Dominique stood at the top of the brick-paved steps, her gaze keenly scanning the yard for Damien until she spotted him. “Ooh, there he is.” She excitedly pointed him out amongst the multitude of sleek suits and the rainbow of cocktail dresses.
I raised a dubious brow. How? They all looked the same.
Impressed, Scarlett gushed, “Wow, you were right; he’s adorable.”
If jocks were their thing, who was I to judge?
“Who’s cute? I hope you were talking about me?”
The four of us pivoted on the spikes of our heels simultaneously to find Bryson Jaeger’s eyes sparkling like freshly polished sapphires, ready to inflict mischief on an unsuspecting victim; mainly his youngest sister. Having inherited his father’s build; broad shoulders, long legs, and a dashing smile to match, the dark, slim-fit suit he’d donned for the evening, only accentuated every inch of his good looks.
“Bryson!” she squealed, hugging him tightly.
“Yeah happy to see you too sis...” He grinned, pulling away. “Ladies, how are you all tonight? You’re all looking ravishing as always,” he said before motioning to the petite blonde standing next to him, her large crystal blue eyes glittering under the fairy lights strung above us. “You remember my long-time girlfriend, Olivia Gilbert?”
“Of course we do!” Dom scoffed hugging her just as tightly.
Bryson’s eyes rolled. “We know you do; I was talking about the others ya daft bugger!”
Not wanting to be rude, I ushered forward and hugged her. “It’s good to see you again, Olivia.”
“Same,” she
