13
JILLIE
Icame home a few days early. Granted my flight got in later than I’d have liked, but it is what it is. It’s after nine which means the game is over. I want to surprise Leo. I know there’s a party at his house, and I can’t wait to feel him, smell him. I’ve missed him so much.
I finish getting ready and Audrey and Isla are ringing the doorbell. Aunt Ruthie lets them in and the come running into my room and let out a squeal of happiness. I’ve missed them a lot, too.
Audrey’s eyes widen when she pulls back and notices what I’m wearing. No boyish clothing tonight. I feel like being all female. After mucking stalls in jeans and flannel, who could blame me?
I’ve got on a red sundress that has half-inch straps going from front to back over my bare shoulders. The bodice is tight as is the hip area. The rest just kind of falls to just above my knees. I’ve paired the dress with the red leather slip-on sandals with one-inch heels. Just right so I won’t hurt myself.
I’ve pulled the front of my long dark hair into a clip while the rest flows freely down my back and over my shoulders. I took the time to straighten the curls, even though I know it’ll curl up with the humidity later.
I spent extra time on my makeup. I’ve used black liquid eyeliner to line my upper lids and create a cat-eye flare. No eye shadow, just blackest-black mascara. My lips are painted red, a red that matches my dress perfectly.
Jewelry is chunky black earrings, a black necklace with large circles and square shapes made of wood, and my signature rings. I feel naked without them. It’s the only sticking point for Audrey. She zeroes in on them, meets my gaze, then shrugs.
“You did good. You look so hot. Leo’s going to die,” Audrey tells me.
“For sure,” Isla agrees. “Jillie in red. Rawr. Talk about making a statement.”
I smirk. “I’m back.”
“And I’m so glad you are,” Aunt Ruthie agrees from the doorway. “Your young man won’t know what hit him.”
I can’t hold back the ear-to-ear smile. I’m so excited to see him, to see his surprise.
“You ready?” Isla asks.
“Definitely.”
The party is in full swing when we arrive. We end up having to walk farther than Audrey thinks is fair.
“If we’d gotten here earlier, it wouldn’t have had the same effect,” Isla defends.
“Let’s see what’s happening in here,” I say as I hold the door open for them.
The house is huge. When I say huge, I mean ginormous. I’ve never seen a house this big. I guess I didn’t pay attention that day Leo gave me a ride…
It’s all windows and high ceilings, clean lines and lots of color. Leo’s mom is an amazing decorator. When I get my own home, it’ll for sure be smaller, but I’d love for the decor to look just like this.
“I love this house,” I announce.
“Is this your first time in here?” Audrey asks.
I nod. “Yeah. I saw it sorta from the outside once…”
Audrey nods in return. “I’m sure Leo will give you the grand tour. Where did Isla go?”
I point across the room to where our fair-haired friend is hugging a very bruised Carlos.
“She’s such a hussy,” Audrey teases just before she starts kissing Brent enthusiastically.
“Stop kissing and help me find—”
“He’s on the deck,” Isla informs me when she walks back with Carlos.
Carlos does some funky handshake with me. “Good to have you back, Foxy J.”
