“Okay—things are a mess. So what?” Macy shrugs like it’s no big deal.
Easy forherto say! She’s not the one who coerced a classmate into being her prom date and then,whoops, developed actual feelings for him.
Oh god.
When I put it that way, I soundunhinged.
“The last thing I want is to be in the same room as Easton and MaddiefreakingMiller.” I continue to buzzkill the shit out of this subject. “I’ll take all the fun out of things with my crappyattitude.”
Macy—bless her heart—laughs at me.
“You have to go. You’ve been looking forward to this forever. You had your dress first out of anyone in our group, joined that stupid decorating committee first—you’re going.”
She’s not wrong.
I have been planning for this for ages, and I shouldn’t let one guy ruin it. Still. The idea of showing up without a date now that I’ve known what it’s like to almost have one?
Blah!
I simply cannot bear it.
“Anyway,” Macy adds, “you’ve got your hair appointment—and you’re going to grab cute coffee on your way there, bring croissants, and look stunning. You don’t need a date to do that.”
I sigh. “True…”
Macy rolls her eyes at my reluctance. I can feel her patience cracking.
“Harper, you are one of the strongest people I know. You don’t need anyone to have an amazing time. Trust me, once we’re all there, you’ll forget this drama.”
Forget the drama Imyselfcreated? Not likely.
However. She’s not wrong about the fact I have been so wrapped up in Easton I’ve forgotten what this prom night is really about: celebrating with friends, feeling confident, living in the moment—and that gorgeous dress hanging on the back of my bedroom door.
I turn and gaze at it, admiring how the light catches the sequins and makes it sparkle.
“Imagine what that will look like under a disco ball.” Macy pokes me. “Huh? Huh?”
I giggle. “So sparkly.”
“Way sparklier than whatever travesty Maddie Miller is going to wear.”
That’s a fact.
“Look,” Macy tells me in a more serious tone. “I’m sure you’ve been beating yourself up. I know you—I know you carry guilt. Let it go. Keep your appointments, come to dinner—and show up like you’re the damn main event! Girl, we do not need men to make our night epic.”
A flicker of excitement tingles in my stomach.
“I’ll go.” Slowly, I nod. “I’m sticking to the plan, but let me think about dinner.”
The hurt is too raw.
She understands, shoving me onto my back and shouting, “That’s my girl!”
“Oh my god—get off me!” I laugh, trying to push her off, but she’s already doubled over, giggling so hard she nearly falls off thebed.
“Never!” she declares dramatically, finally rolling off me and flopping onto her side, her laughter still bubbling. “You’re stuck with me. Now let’s figure out how to unfuck your love life, shallwe?”
Chapter 32
