“See you soon, sweetie,” Patricia says, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
Bea’s stomach growls. “Wait, I’ll come too!”
Once Jim leaves with Bea, closing the door quietly behind them, I turn to my bed, where the new dress lays draped across it. It’s a long, off-the-shoulder sleeveless navy dress. It looks beautiful—and expensive. Awkward silence settles over the room as I get undressed. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been alone with Patricia like this. If ever.
I didn’t attend prom back home, not because I had no one to go with but because I was afraid ofthis. Normally girls have their moms tohelp them get ready, to shop for dresses with them, to do their hair and makeup, but not me. I avoided it altogether rather than face the painful reminder of Mom’s absence.
I pull on the dress, relieved it fits me, and slide on the strappy silver shoes Patricia brought for me.
“Very pretty,” Patricia says. “Navy was definitely the right choice.”
I shift a little, pulling at my dress. “You think so?”
She beams at me. “Definitely.”
I turn back toward the mirror and survey my reflection. The navy has a metallic sheen to it, glistening like stars in a night sky. The cut shows off my shoulders and hugs my hips before cascading loosely to the floor. It’s… beautiful.
“This reminds me of my prom,” Patricia says, a little tearfully. “You look so gorgeous. Thank you for letting me be here with you. When you didn’t attend prom back home, I can’t lie, I was disappointed.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask her.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Patricia wipes her eyes quickly. “I never wanted you to feel like I was trying to replace your mother.”
I hesitate a moment. “Is that why you haven’t adopted us?”
Patricia blinks in surprise, then bites her lip. “Honestly, Edith, we’ve wanted to, but we weren’t sure if it’s whatyouwanted. You’ve always seemed so aloof, and we were afraid you’d reject us, so we never brought it up. Once you turned eighteen, we were going to give you the choice. We’d either adopt you and Bea or you could choose to be independent. And of course we’d support you no matter what you decided.”
Isthatwhy? My throat feels thick. For so long I’ve wondered why they haven’t. I thought I wasn’t good enough to be their daughter. I wasn’t perfect enough, not like Bea. When really, it was out of consideration formethis whole time. They just wanted to give me a choice.
“Thank you, Patricia,” I say, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and Bea. We couldn’t have asked for better parents.”
Patricia’s eyes start to water again. “Oh, sweetie.”
A sharp knock startles us both.
“Bea?” I call out.
There’s a long pause as someone clears their throat. “It’s Amund.”
“Just a moment,” I tell Patricia before opening the door.
Amund is standing there, wearing a dark fitted suit with defined shoulders. My eyes widen. He looks so much less intimidating like this, and I’m also reminded anew of how handsome he is. Seeing him like this, I could almost forget he’s a hunter.
“I’m surprised you didn’t show up in your leathers,” I joke.
“I have them on underneath my suit,” Amund says, completely serious. “My father instructed some of us to, just in case there’s an incident at the dance.” He clears his throat. “Anyway, I was hoping to talk to you. I wanted a moment alone before—oh, I apologize.”
Amund only now notices Patricia is here too.
“I was just leaving,” Patricia says, giving me an encouraging smile. I want to tell her it’s not what she thinks, but she’s already slipping out the door. “I forgot I have to go meet Jim and Bea at the cafeteria.”
Before I can argue, Patricia is bustling down the hall.
“Come in,” I tell him.
He follows me inside, and once the door clicks closed behind us, he says, “Your dress.”
My cheeks grow hot. “What about it?”
