We go to the foyer, where Mom snaps pictures with the intensity of a paparazzi. All the while, Bryce makes faces and sticks out his tongue. I can’t resist making a few faces back. Of course, Mom captures the whole thing on camera. After Mom poses me in every possible way she can think of, the photo session is finally over.
Dad pulls out his phone. “Well, it’s seven thirty.” He glances at the front door in concern.
The edges of Mom’s eyes tighten. “What time was Seth supposed to pick you up?”
“Seven,” I squeak. “Maybe I should check my phone. He might’ve texted that he’s running late.”
Mom smiles in relief. “Yes, that’s probably it.”
I pull the phone from my purse. “No text.” It never occurred to me that Seth might stand me up. A wall of tears presses behind my eyes. Is that what’s happening?
“You should send him a text,” Dad encourages. “Ask if he’s on the way.”
With trembling hands, I do so and hold my breath, waiting. His reply seems to take forever.
Sorry, something came up. Can’t make it.
The words are a sucker punch. I gag and struggle to catch my breath.
“Hon, what’s wrong?”
Dizziness envelopes me as I stagger. These awful heels are worse than stilts. Humiliation burns through my veins. How will I ever show my face again? I should’ve known that Seth Cox would never actually go out with me.
“What’s wrong? Princess, are you okay?” Dad touches my arm.
“Seth—” My chest heaves up and down, throat closing. I try again. “Seth isn’t coming.”
Dad’s eyebrows squish together. “Why not?”
I throw up my hands. “I don’t know. He said something came up.”
“That’s unacceptable. Let me have your phone. I’ll call him.”
Horror streaks through me. “No.” I’m such a fool, shopping for an entire day to find the perfect dress. And then I bought these horrible shoes and curled my hair.
It was all for nothing.
Dad holds out his hand, voice stern. “London, give me your phone. You have to teach people how to treat you. I’ll respond to Seth Cox.”
“No,” I gasp. “No!” My entire body is on fire. It’s bad enough to have Seth ditch me. Dad heaping on his drama is too much.
Mom places a hand on my arm. “There must be an explanation, Seth’s a nice boy. I don’t think he’d do something to intentionally hurt you.” Mom always tries to give people—especially her former students—the benefit of the doubt. However, it won’t work this time.
I jerk my arm away. “Don’t make excuses for him; he doesn’t deserve it.”
“You’re darn right about that,” Dad fumes.
“I hate him,” I rage as I bolt up the stairs … err, at least as fast as these awful
heels will allow.
I don’t know how or when.
But there’s one thing I know to the depth of my soul.
Seth Cox is gonna pay!
Chapter
