I covered my mouth, trying to hold back the sob, and glanced up into Rose’s eyes, which were now glossy. She cleared her throat and blew out a tight breath. Rose was almost in tears. Rose never cried.
Marissa looked between us and she pulled her hands together, causing me to stand in front of Rose. Any control I had up to that point, I lost. I threw my arms around her in a hug and bawled.
I cried for the people I hurt, I cried for the girl in me who wasn’t accepted and loved, I cried from the stress of carrying this lie and hurting people I had grown to care about.
Rose awkwardly patted my back and sighed. She slowly leaned away and wiped my tears off my cheeks and shook her head.
“Seriously!” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll have to start over with your makeup now. You look absolutely terrible.”
I laugh-cried and hugged her tighter. “I’m so, so sorry,” I whispered, and Marissa wrapped her arms around us both.
“You’re such a drama queen.” Rose wiped at her tears.
They didn’t leave.
They didn’t hate me.
Those few minutes in that hug did more to heal my broken heart than the years of trying to make up for it ever had. Being held by friends who knew the real me and lovedme, flaws and all.
“I love you guys.”
“I love you,” they both repeated.
“All right, that is enough of that!” Rose stepped out of the hug and shook off all the emotion surrounding her. She pointed to the hallway.
“Now go wash your face and put on that dress.” She rolled her eyes. “Looks like I should have gone with waterproof mascara after all. Oh!” Rose clapped. “Now you can finally tell me if Jonathan West is really as hot as he looks in the movies and papers. I have been dying to ask for years!”
Chapter Twenty-Two
FAITH
The doorbell rang, and I rushed over and pulled it open. Adam’s hair was styled and stiff with gel, and he wore a blue button-up shirt and khakis.
“Wow.” His eyes opened wider as they traveled over me and my dress. “You look beautiful,” he whispered.
I blushed. “Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself.”
“Here.” He handed me a bouquet of roses and daisies, with a little stuffed snowman. “These are for you.” His cheeks flushed, and he put his hand on the back of his neck. “Danny helped pick the flowers, and he insisted the snowman went with them.” He fidgeted with his hands.
His nervousness was adorable.
“Well, Danny was obviously right.” I smiled. “The snowman is the perfect addition.” I searched his eyes. “Thank you, both of you.”
He visibly relaxed as I accepted his gift. Did he think I wouldn’t like it? I nodded behind me. “Want to come in? I’ll go put these in water.” I turned and headed toward the kitchen. Adam followed me through the house.
“Faith?” The question was clear in his voice. I turned to seehim pointing to my Christmas tree in the living room. My very dead and crispy Christmas tree.
“That tree needs to be thrown out. It’s a fire hazard.”
“I know, but I can’t just throw it away…” I furrowed my brow.
I sighed and grabbed a stool, pulling it over to vases on top of the fridge. I went to stand on it, and Adam rushed over.
“Here allow me.”
I put my foot back down as he easily reached the vases on the fridge and handed me on a clear cylinder one.
“Thanks.” I took the base and began filling it will water.
