Dead of Night (Hunters of the Dark #4) Page 16

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  “Not your color,” Rachel frowned, scrutinizing Krystal’s outfit with a keen eye at a local shop known for trendy clothes.

  Krystal glanced down at the neon yellow and frowned. “But I like it.”

  Rachel shook her head. “That’s nice, but unless you want to look all washed out tonight, you need to stick to jewel tones. Go for blue, purple or green. Nice deep colors, not garish and flashy. You’re a sophisticated teenager, not a Teletubby.”

  Amelia looked at her sideways like she couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth, and while Krystal certain felt as aghast, she couldn’t help but appreciate Rachel’s no-nonsense advice. That was, after all, why Krystal had asked her to help her pick out an outfit.

  “It’s okay,” Krystal said, sending a meaningful look Amelia’s way. “She means well.”

  “I’m not going to sugar coat fashion,” Rachel agreed, turning back to the magazine in her lap.

  Amelia rolled her eyes. “You could put a little more effort into how you say these things, though.”

  “She’s a big girl. She can handle it.”

  Krystal turned to go back to the dressing room and paused, nodding approvingly at Quinn’s outfit as he stepped out of his room. A simple cotton shirt clung to him perfectly, accentuating his powerful chest, and showing off his tan arms. He grinned at her sheepishly. “What do we think?” he asked.

  “Now, that’s more like it,” Rachel approved, standing up and walking around him in a circle.

  Krystal didn’t miss the searching look that Quinn sent across the room, where Shanna was eyeing some jewelry at a counter display.

  Rachel seemed to notice his stare at the same time, and sighed. “Really? What does she have?” She shook her head, then said loudly enough for Shanna to hear. “Shanna, what do you think?”

  Shanna looked up, eyebrow arched, then frowned. “It’s not her color.”

  Smirking, Rachel shook her head, then gestured to Quinn.

  Shanna approached them and nodded approvingly. “Very nice. Simple, but nice.”

  “You’ve got a great ass, Quentin,” Rachel observed.

  Quinn went red as Shanna’s eyes immediately sought out the object referenced, and she went just as red.

  “My work here is done,” Rachel said, then paused, looking at Krystal. “Or not. Back to the dressing room. And remember: jewel tones.”

  “Jewel tones, yeah yeah,” Krystal murmured, heading toward the back of the store as Rachel threw an arm around Shanna’s shoulders.

  “At least I can rely on you to have an eye for this stuff,” Rachel said to Shanna before the door cut her off.

  “At least I can rely on you,” Krystal mocked, pulling the yellow top over her head. She eyed a royal purple top in the room with her and cocked her head. “Hmm. I think you’ll do.”