The moment? That’s not true, but I’ll take it.
Me:You’re the best.
As soon as I hit send, Mom shouts from downstairs, “Harper! Are you coming? We want pictures!”
We.
Meaning her and Dad.
I let that word marinate, my heart happily snagging on an emotion.We.
It’s such a small word, but one I haven’t heard her use in months—not when referring to her and Dad, anyway. Usually, it’s “me,” or “your father” in a frosty tone that leaves no room for interpretation. Could she be thawing? Could they be trying to make it work…
I blink, shaking myself out of it. Now isn’t the time to dissect that tiny glimmer of normalcy.
“Coming!” I shout back, grabbing my clutch and stealing one last peek in the mirror. My heart pounds in my chest as I take a deep breath.
Ready or not, prom night is here.
Chapter 35
Easton
“Why did you do it?”
The question slips out before I can stop myself, my hands white-knuckling the buttery leather steering wheel of the car I borrowed for tonight.
It’s a sleek black sedan with polished silver rims, a showpiece designed to turn heads—especiallyhers. Dan, our neighbor, handed over the keys with a warning: “If you so much as scratch this car, kid, I’ll personally kick your ass.”
Dan is a big dude, so I believe him.
My date shifts in her seat, tilting her head toward me to reveal her flawless profile, like her every angle and curve was designed to catch the light just right.
“Why did I dowhat?” Maddie barely spares me a glance.
When I picked her up, her bougie parents didn’t take photographs. Instead, she grabbed my hand and dragged me out to the car, hardly sparing them another look. They stood in the door listlessly waving, their daughter unmistakably ruling the roost, à la Regina George.
“Why did you ask me to prom?” Inquiring minds want to know.
My date had zero interest in dinner, so we’re heading straight to the dance, and honestly? Conversation has been a nightmare.
So yeah. I need her to enlighten me.
Maddie’s laugh is more of a tinkle. “I assumedyouwanted to askme, so I beat you to it.”
She assumed I wanted to take her to prom.
Wow.
That is some arrogant bullshit, but also: She’s not wrong. I would have wanted to ask her, before I accidentally fell at Harper’s feet and turned my world upside down.
I grip the steering wheel, forcing myself to keep my eyes on the road instead of giving Maddie’s perfect profile another sidelong glance. Unbothered, she twirls a strand of her long blond hair around her index finger, looking utterly bored, as if she’s stating universal truths:You like me. I didn’t have a date. I did you a favor by agreeing to be yours.
“YouassumedI wanted to ask you,” I repeat, tone neutral, her words running on a loop through my addled brain. Trying to make sense of it.
Trying not to feel like a fucking idiot.
“Duh.” Maddie leans back in her seat, pursing her glossy lips in my direction. “I mean, isn’t that what guys like youdo? Lie in bed praying a girl like me will give you the time of day? Honestly, Easton—you’ve had a crush on me since, what, middle school?”
