Marissa and I followed her down the hallway to her bedroom. We stepped into Rose’s room with the black and white male model posters all over the walls, and there on the bed was a baby-blue gown. It had a one shoulder design and flared out abovethe knees.
Rose held up the dress. “Thought the princess might need a dress for the ball.”
I gasped, and I went and felt the soft silk. “It’s beautiful, but I can’t wear your dress.”
Rose laughed. “There is no way you would fit into my dress.” She pointed to her chest for emphasis. “I borrowed it from Shayla. She already wore it twice and won’t wear it again.” Shayla was a friend of Rose’s that lived in Haven Falls. When she went down for a weekend, that was usually who she stayed with.
Marissa touched the fabric. “That color will look amazing on you! It matches your eyes.”
“I think it will look great with your silver heels too.” Rose raised her brow. “Will you do something for me tonight?” Rose asked.
“Of course.” I reached forward and grabbed her hand.
“When you get back, I need details of how Adam fell at your feet.” Rose wiggled her eyebrows. “Because he definitely will.”
“For sure.” Marissa chuckled.
I took a deep breath. Ever since Christmas Eve, I thought over and over about what Adam said about his pet peeve being people who were pretending.
He deserved the truth, especially if we went on more dates, but Marissa and Rose deserved the truth first.
I clenched my fingers and forced a deep breath into my lungs.
“Okay…” I pursed my lips together. “I need to tell you guys something.” I sat down on Rose’s bed.
Marissa sat beside me, and Rose waited, her eyebrow raised.
“It’s about my past.” I took a deep breath and held it for three.
Marissa’s eyes widened, and Rose gestured for me to continue.
I closed my eyes, unable to look at their faces, and see the disappointment flash in their eyes. “My real name isn’t Faith.” I peeked at their reaction. Marissa’s eyebrows were furrowed, and Rose was rolling her eyes. “Well, I mean it is, because I legally changed it, but my birth name is Astrid…” I fidgeted with my fingers, missing my ring, and cleared my throat. No going back now. “My birth name is Astrid Luxe.” I closed my eyes and bowed my head, waiting for the exclamations and outrage.
“Who?” Marissa sounded confused.
“Astrid Luxe,” Rose repeated, with no shock in her voice.
Marissa was shaking her head. “Sorry, but I have no idea who that is?” She looked towards Rose. “Should I?”
Rose huffed. “Yes, and you do.”
“No, I really don’t think I do.” Marissa’s eyebrows lowered.
“Yes. You do.” Rose threw her hands in the air. “Astrid Luxe, as in the Luxe fashion icon in New York, heir to the Luxe fortune, and ‘new face of the brand.’ The one who randomly went radio silent a few years ago…about the same time Faith moved here.” Rose raised her brow.
Wait.
Marissa shook her head and popped the last bite of gingerbread into her mouth. “Nope, sorry.”
“Did you know already?” I asked Rose.
“Of course I knew.” She waved her hand. “You showed up in designer shoes, bad hair dye over perfect extensions, and Luxe handbags. Not to mention the number of times you dyed our sheets pink and burnt ramen noodles. It was obvious you had no idea what you were doing.” Rose checked her nails.
I sat there with my mouth hanging open. “I…I don’t,” My eyebrows scrunched. “So you knew the whole time!”
Rose grinned.
“Wait, so you’re super rich?” Marissa’s eyes were wide.
