His tense shoulders eventually relaxed. “Thank you, Av.”
“You’re right; that does sound weird.” I scrunched my nose. “I’ll see you at the show.”
“You’re coming to another?”
I nodded and then remembered I’d told him I was going to stay out of the way. But was supporting them technically putting myselfintheir way? “I don’t have to if—”
“No, please.” I swore I saw excitement in the corners of his eyes, but a few strands of his hair fell and blocked my view. “It’s always nice to have another fan in the crowd.”
“Well, there will be more than just me. Nina’s coming, too, and I gave Zayn a couple of tickets.”
Confusion pricked at his brows. “I see.”
“Well, good luck.” My gaze dragged down his freshly shaven jaw and then to his lips, which turned up the moment my eyes landed on them. I cleared my throat. “Um, Danny also told me to tell you to be ready in a half hour.”
As soon as he nodded, I hurried out the door, stopping to take a full breath just before the stairs.
“Oh, good. You’re here,” Lexie said, popping her head out of her door. “I need you.”
She yanked me into her room, holding up two dresses in front of herself. “Which one should I wear tonight?”
The first one was the perfect little black dress with two round cutouts on the sides. It’d go with anything, which was why I was surprised she was even considering it. The other one—a strapless orange bodycon dress with black accents—suited her better and matched her fiery red hair.
I immediately pointed to the orange one, and she threw the black one at me with a grin.
“Good. You wear that one.”
“What?”
“You really think I’d wear something like that? Or that I’d need your help with my wardrobe, my little cardigan connoisseur?” Her eyes scanned my holey jeans and oversize white cardigan. “I bought that for you. You’re welcome.”
I analyzed the dress in my hands. “Is this you trying to make up for the whole journal-stealing thing?”
Lexie poked some metal through her ear piercings in the mirror. “Sometimes, people just want to help, Avery.” Her tone was mocking, and I realized she’d heard me talking to Liam.
“Lexie!”
She swung around and held her hands up like she was expecting me to come at her. “It’s not my fault! You both talk loud, and the door was open!”
I ground my teeth together. “You’re such a—”
“Lovable person with a generous heart and a great fashion sense?”
“Not exactly what I was going to say.”
“Don’t worry.” She made a zipping motion across her lips with her fingers. “Your secret is still safe with me.”
My eyes narrowed.
“I’m a snoop. Not a snitch.”
After promising with our pinkies, like two five-year-olds, I slipped the dress on while Lexie went to the bathroom. I had to hand it to her; she had a keen eye. It fit like a glove.
I was staring in the mirror, taking in my reflection, when a rainbow of bright colors caught my eye through her barely open closet. I quickly peeked my head in, finding over a dozen wigs in all different lengths and styles hanging on display. I couldn’t help but run my fingers across the curtain of blue-and-green strands of the wig Lexie had worn to the last show. It nearly sparkled in the light; it was so glossy and vibrant.
“Now, look who’s being nosy.” Lexie’s teasing remark made me jump. “That dress looks hot. Am I good, or am I good?”
I smoothed my palms over the fabric hugging my waist. “It’s perfect, Lex. Thank you. You really didn’t have to.”
