Dad winks at me as they leave, Mom tucked under his arm, both of them still smiling like they know something I don't.
And me? I stand frozen in my room, clutching my prom dress like it's some enchanted armor that's supposed to change my life tomorrow.
Maybe it really will.
When dinner's over and I'm done helping Mom with the dishes, I head upstairs—only to nearly drop dead at the sight waiting for me.
It’s Zach.
Casually sprawled across my bed. Legs stretched, back propped against the headboard, hands tucked behind his head like this ishisroom and I'm just a guest.
My hand flies to my chest. "Oh Jesus, you scared me!"
The moron just laughs, like giving me a heart attack is his personal hobby.
I huff and walk into my bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and try to pretend this is normal—because, unfortunately, it kind ofis. When I come back out, he hasn't even moved. Same exact position. Same smug expression.
I plop down at the edge of the bed and glare at him. "What are you even doing here tonight, Westbrook? Don't tell me you're planning on crashing here again."
Not that I'd complain. Not that my stupid heart doesn'twanthim to say exactly that.
"Fine," he says easily, flashing that grin. "I won't tell you."
I groan, smacking a pillow at his leg. "Seriously. At this point I should start charging you board and lodging. You basically live here. I could've made a fortune by now."
He smirks without missing a beat. "Oh yeah? With what I pay in snacks alone, you alreadyarerich. Consider it rent, Sugarplum."
I roll my eyes, but my lips twitch anyway. Of course he has a comeback. He always does.
Zach shifts suddenly, swinging his legs off the bed so he's sitting right next to me. Close. Way too close for my heart rate to function properly.
"Close your eyes," he says. "I've got a surprise for you."
My head jerks toward him. "What? Why?"
He gives me a look. The kind of look that saysGod, you're impossible.
"Because that's how surprises work, genius. If I tell you what it is, it's just... news."
I snort. "You're such an idiot."
"Yeah, yeah. Now shut up and humor me, Sugarplum."
Against every survival instinct, I obey. My eyes squeeze shut.
"Okay," his voice drops softer, warmer, right beside me. "Open."
I blink, and the first thing I see is him—his stupid crooked smile—before he tilts his head down. I follow his gaze and—oh my god.
My breath catches sharp in my throat. My heart flat-out stops.
Sitting in his hand is an open velvet box. And inside?
The exact necklace.TheSugarplum Princess heart necklace.
"Zach..." It comes out as a whisper, my voice trembling. My eyes are glued to the pendant like it's the freaking Crown Jewels.
"It's a locket, actually." He flips it open carefully, like it's fragile. Inside, I see a tiny picture.Us. A picture of me and him.
