I walk to the dresser to search for earrings. I hold up the long one and the stud for Piper’s approval.
“Go simple,” she suggests.
Studs it is.
I’m not quite sure why I have butterflies in my stomach, but this has been an unusual week, and I would be surprised if I didn’t have nerves. The last few days have been unexpected.
It feels like a game with Spencer, yet I volunteer myself as tribute every round. Since our laundry room make-out the other day, we have basically ignored each other except when Hadley is around.
She is such a sweet little girl. Funny too. She gives Spencer a hard time, but at random moments does something to catch him by surprise in a way that I hope brings them closer.
“At least you will have fun at the charity dinner. It’s for a good cause, to add a further addition to the new sports center where they'll hold summer camps for kids. If Hudson didn’t have an away game this week then I’m sure we would be there too.”
“It’s kind of you to watch Hadley and Pickles. I guess we won’t be that late.”
“Don’t sweat it. Unlike you, I have no problem with Spencer. I owed him a favor for the number of times he has signed for packages for me while I’m taking an impromptu nap.”
I nod in understanding as I take a long breath to look at myself once more.
“You know…” I can tell Piper wants to point out the obvious. “You're Spencer’s plus-one, people will see you together…”
“I’m just his plus-one,” I reiterate.
“I doubt any cameras there will agree with that. But you don’t seem to mind. Something you want to share?”
I focus on blending with my highlighter brush on my cheeks. “No.” Because I don’t know how to explain it.
“Just remember that you will one day find the guy who will erase all past mistakes. He’ll be the magic you’ve been waiting for. So be it, he might not appear that way at first.” She splays her hands out.
Before I can protest, I see Hadley in the corner of my eye arriving at my open door and walking straight to the dresser.
“Did you already put on the sparkly powder?” Hadley rummages through my makeup.
Of course, that’s what she would be after.
“I did, but I can always use more.” I take the case and brush, dab it in the powder, then offer it to Hadley and give her my arm to spread the stuff.
“Can you tell Daddy to let me have powder? When you’re not here, I won’t get to use this.” She focuses on spreading the brush along my arm.
When I’m not here. Sometimes I forget that this is all temporary. I’m getting comfortable here, which should be a warning.
She hands me the brush in accomplishment, and I dab the brush on the cleavage line of my breasts without thought until Piper chortles a laugh.
“Interesting choice,” she mutters.
Like a hot potato, I drop the brush back on the dresser because clearly, my subconscious is up to tricks.
“You look like a princess.” Hadley smiles, and I can tell one of her front teeth is loose. I remember the conversation that I heard the other day between her and Spencer about the tooth fairy.
I stroke her hair with my hand. “Why, thank you.” I pick up my clutch purse from the bed. “Now I just need to find my ogre,” I mutter.
* * *
Walking out the front door,I feel my body fill with anticipation, but then I internally growl in irritation when I see Spencer leaning against the dark SUV, as he hired a driver for the night.
And I’m fuming inside because he is incredibly handsome.
He’s in a tux, his hair slicked back, hands in his pockets, with a smirk on his mouth. Then he propels his body off the hood of the car, and he approaches me with swagger.
