I hum. “Noted.”
We work through more of the wedding stuff, throwing about half of it away before we have to get ready to go to Quinn’s party. My nerves get to me as I’m picking out an outfit, which leads to me being more indecisive than I’ve ever been before.
“Okay, but what about jeans? Are jeans too casual?” I’ve beenat this for thirty minutes and have gotten nowhere. Nate is on my bed, waiting patiently.
“Hey, Maisie, you don’t happen to be worried about this party, right?” He asks it in a soft voice, like he knows that’s exactly what I am.
“I’m obvious, aren’t I?” Throwing the jeans back into the closet, I flop onto the bed next to him. “I was doing so good with facing things on the cruise. But now that we’re in real life, it’s harder.”
“You also faced your ex, who’s an absolute idiot.”
“That too.”
Nate’s hand lands on my back. “It’s a good thing that you’re not hiding out. I’m glad you feel safe enough to face the hard stuff now, but it’s not gonna go well every time. Just like last night.”
“So, should I hide?”
“Not necessarily. This isn’t talking to the man who love bombed you. Sure, he’ll be there, but so will other people.”
“Yeah, his family.”
“And your best friend,” he reminds me. “Say the word and we’ll stay, but I know you wanna be there. Don’t let what happened with Rob affect this.”
I let his words sink in. I know I’m disappointed that I couldn’t be civil with Rob. All of last night was a mess.
But Nate’s right. Things don’t always go to plan.
Slowly, I sit up. “Okay. Not letting Rob affect today. I think I can do that. Once I pick an outfit.”
“Can your new boyfriend offer his humble opinion?”
“Since when do you have an opinion on fashion?”
He gasps and puts his hand to his chest. “Excuse you. I picked out those shorts for youandbought them. They’reobscene,berry.”
My cheeks heat. “Is that why you got all weird?”
“Guilty.” He shrugs and gets up. “And I’ll get even weirder if you wear this.”
He pulls out a purple dress, one that I’ve had for years but hadforgotten about. “Really? Can I pull that off?” Nate’s answering glare tells me I shouldnotbe putting myself down. “All right, all right. I’ll wear it.”
“Thank you.” He tosses it to me before going back in my closet. “Now it’s my turn to find something. I have a feeling I can wear one of the shirts you stole from me.”
“Hey, you left them here.”
“Potato, potahto.”
I shake my head at him and head to the bathroom to get dressed and work on my hair. I’ve gotten more comfortable with wearing it down, even when it’s inconvenient. I’d let it air dry when getting out of the shower this morning, which has left it wavy and slightly frizzy.
I debate on whether to leave it down or put it up and settle for a half updo that gives me the best of both worlds.
“All right, Nate,” I call as I step out of the bathroom. “Moment of truth.”
Nate comes around the corner and does a double take when he sees me. “You look ...”
“Different?” I ask. “Yeah, I’m trying?—”
“Incredible,” he finishes.
