“Right. Don’t sit down or you’ll crinkle,” Mum ordered, grabbing the shoes and kneeling in front of me.
Catriona held my dress up so Mum could secure the shoes.
“What about you?”
“It’s not my day.” Mum smiled up at me. “No one will care if I crinkle.”
She helped me into my shoes, then took my hand.
“Ready?”
I shrugged. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We pulled open the door and my father stood in the hallway. He glanced at me, then the floor. “You’ll need a jumper.”
“I’m no’ putting on a jumper, Da.”
Catriona giggled, kissing my father’s cheek, then waving as she walked down the hall, leaving us.
My father wrapped an arm around my mother and kissed her temple.
“You look beautiful,” my father said, offering me his elbow. “I would have preferred the other dress.”
“Con,” Mum admonished. “You’re gonna have to let that go, honey.”
I laughed. “Besides, you’re insisting on this party, so I get to choose my gown.”
“Fair enough,” he said.
“I’m going to let everyone know you’re ready,” Mum said, and kissed my father, then walked away.
“I’m so very proud of you, love,” Dad said and grinned.
“Thanks, Daddy,” I said as we made our way to the top of the stairs.
The guests milling in the grand foyer suddenly stopped their chatter, turning to face us. I noticed Arric immediately. He was wearing my family’s colors, and I turned to my father. “Did you do that?”
He grinned. “Can’t have yer mate looking like a Yank on a day like today.”
I focused back on Arric and his eyes were like goblets as they raked over me.
Jesus, fuck, she’s beautiful.
He then scowled.
She needs to put some goddamn clothes on.
I tried not to react because I wasn’t ready to let him know I could read his thoughts. I tore my eyes from his as the group began singing our traditional birthday song, and I smiled as graciously as I could as my father led me down the stairs.
My brain was swamped with buzzing as Arric approached me looking like he might kill someone.
If these assholes don’t start looking away, I’m gonna fuckin’ gouge their eyes out with my thumbnails.
I closed my eyes briefly trying to keep from laughing out loud.
“Careful, lass,” Da warned and I gripped his arm to keep from tripping.
We finished our descent, and I was immediately greeted by my family, pulled from one hug to another. By the time a gentle hand took mine, I was overwhelmed with the attention and ready to hide.
