“Hale Gala,” Kitty repeated. “As in the Hale Ski Lodge gala.”
“The one with the ridiculous dress code,” Meri added.
“And the donors,” Dad said. “And the press.”
“And the music, decorations, and I have heard the food is amazing,” Mom said, looking faintly delighted. “Not that our Jane couldn’t make better food but I have heard good things.”
Braxton nodded. “Dex and I are invited. Apparently the Bennets are as well.”
Jane’s eyes lit up. “All of us?”
“That’s what it says.”
The table buzzed with immediate reactions. There were questions and Kitty began speculating wildly about attire. Jane started thinking through logistics out loud. Mom clasped her hands together like she had just been handed a Christmas present.
I felt it then. That flicker of anticipation. Sharp and bright.
The gala had been hovering at the edge of things for weeks now. People had mentioned it and now we had an invitation. I hadn’t expected to get an invite.
I stared down at my plate for a moment, pushing my food around without really eating it.
“Lydia,” Jane said gently. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” I said automatically. “Just thinking.”
The conversation rolled on, already planning, already imagining. And somewhere in the middle of it, without quite meaning to, I thought of Ephram.
Not in a dramatic way. Just… naturally. Like he belonged in the same category of things approaching.
The thought startled me enough that I looked up.
“I could invite him,” I said, before I fully processed the words.
Everyone turned toward me.
“Invite who?” Kitty asked.
“Ephram,” I said. My voice sounded steadier than I felt. “To the gala. As my date.”
Mom’s expression softened immediately. Jane looked thoughtful. Meri tilted her head, assessing. Lucy raised her eyebrows, mildly impressed.
“If you want to. I’m assuming Carly thought that everyone would have a plus one,” Braxton said carefully.
I pictured it too easily. Ephram in a suit. Calm and slightly uncomfortable while standing beside me like it was where he chose to be.
The idea made me happy.
I finished dinner with that warmth still there, humming quietly beneath the conversation.I found myself reaching for my phone without hesitation. I didn’t overthink the text. I simply typed,The Hale Gala invitations went out tonight. Would you like to go with me?
I stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send.
Then I waited.
Around me, people were clearing dirty dishes and Jane was serving dessert. Lucy and Mom were already discussing what could be repurposed for the gala. Kitty was still talking, nowto Meri, about something involving chocolate fountains and a personal vendetta against formalwear.
I helped Dad carry dishes into the kitchen, letting my hands stay busy so my mind wouldn’t spiral too far ahead of my courage.
When my phone finally vibrated against my hip the sound felt louder than it should have.
