“I’m just out here if you need me.”
“So?” Niall asks.
“Just give her another minute.”
“She’s been in there for half an hour. Carter will be here soon.”
I look at him and smile. “I’ll take care of it. Just relax.”
He looks so handsome in his tux that I’m worried I won’t be able to control myself tonight. I need to make sure that everything goes well, with him by my side. I needed a date for the evening, and heismy boyfriend, so…
“Stop staring at me,” he says, feigning outrage. “I’m not a piece of meat.”
I laugh. “Go and keep getting ready. We’ll be done here in a few minutes.”
Niall leaves me standing alone in front of Skylar’s bedroom door, and heads downstairs, forcing his parents and his sister to follow him. They were all waiting for Skylar to come out – but I’m worried she’s planning to keep herself locked in that room all night.
“Honey, I’m coming in, okay?” I tell her from the other side of the door.
I push it open slowly, poking my head in. Skylar is sitting on her bed.
“Is it just you?” she asks, without looking.
“Yes, it’s just me.” I close the door behind me and step slowly towards her. Skylar doesn’t look up; she keeps her gaze fixed onto her chewed-up fingernails. I kneel down to meet her eyes.
“You’ll ruin your dress like that,” she says, glancing briefly at me.
“It’s just a dress.”
“I like it.”
I smile.
“It’s classy, like you.”
“Yours is classy, too.”
She shrugs uncomfortably.
“Can you show me?”
“It looks shit.”
I overlook the word she just used and stand up, taking her hands in mine and inviting her to do the same. She scoffs, but obliges. I take a few steps back, letting go of her hands, and look at her.
“Your dad will have to bring your granddad’s rifle along.”
She flashes a small smile, but doesn’t say anything.
“Maybe we should warn Carter to be ready to run.”
Now she laughs, finally meeting my gaze. Her face is tense, completely free of make-up. Her hair has returned to what I assume is its natural colour: a golden, honey-blonde, which tumbles in waves over her shoulders.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel stupid. This dress, this fucking dance – I don’t understand why I have to go.”
“I thought you wanted to go. What changed your mind?”
