All he said was that he was getting Lu a gift, and somehow that made him the most attractive man in the whole world. Who was I kidding? He was already the most attractive man in the world before he said that. I dared not let myself hope that I would end up with Ash on a permanent basis, but it was fun to relish in the fantasy of it all.
Chapter 12
We went to eat dinner later that evening. Ash had met everyone in the afternoon to do some shopping, but I had to leave before he got there because Luna had made it back to town. Her friends came over, and then I took the girls to meet the rest of the group at a restaurant.
There wasn't an easy way to sit next to Ash, so it didn't work out. I barely said two words to him during dinner. I had Lu and her friends with me. My sister's warning hovered over me, and I felt bitter because I wanted to be near him but I felt like I was being judged on top of already feeling guilty and afraid. Sure, she had played the Beatles… but she had also seemed concerned.
I smiled and pretended I wasn't having any of those feelings. I went through dinner, talking to Jude, who sat next to me.
Luna had built up her magic show while we were at the restaurant, and everyone was acting pumped to see it. We all went back to my place afterward.
It was now time for the show to begin, and I was backstage, which was behind a blanket we had hanging over the doorway to the hall.
"Okay, go introduce us and play the music!" Luna said, whispering to me with wide eyes.
"Do you want me to play the music while I'm introducing you or wait until after I say your name to start it?"
"Say my name first and then the music."
Her eyes were wide with excitement, and I had to work to keep myself from giggling at how cute she was.
"How about Izzy and Anna Grace? Do you want me to introduce them?"
"Yes, you say, it's the amazing Bella Luna with her assistants, Izzy and Anna Grace."
"Oh, you want me to call you Bella Luna?"
She nodded. "That's my name."
"Okay," I said.
I went out there and pretended that I was really confident. I was surrounded by a bunch of young, smart, creative people, and it would be easy to get self-conscious, but I pretended to be a confident announcer.
I caught sight of Ash sitting on the floor in my living room, looking like a movie star, and I almost lost my nerve, but I chose to ignore him. I blurred my vision, not noticing all of the beautiful faces staring at me. I started to speak and then I paused and ran to the edge of the room to turn off the main light, making everyone laugh. I flipped the switch near my fireplace so that Lu would have a spotlight.
"Now, everyone! Thank you for coming to our show. Tonight, we have a wonderful show for you. I'd like to present, live and in person, the amazing Bella Luna and her lovely assistants, Izzy and Anna Grace!"
Everyone clapped, and I played the music and then got out of the way while the girls came out with their props and costumes. I wasn't even thinking when I sat down. I just flopped down in the nearest spot, which was nowhere near Ash.
I was aware of his presence to my right, but I watched the magic show without looking his way.
It was amazing.
I was proud of Luna for trying hard and entertaining us all. She did six tricks, and she took her time and worked the crowd.
We all bragged on her when she was finished. Judd and Alex told her they wanted to make a film of her magic show sometime, which made her night. I told Lu and the other girls they had an hour to play in Luna's room before it was time for bath and bed.
Everyone had a long day, and they were talking about leaving and starting to get to the door as they finished congratulating Luna and her friends. I found my sister in the kitchen, talking to Ash.
She looked at me when I walked in.
"Hey, Alex and I are running to the store. Do you need anything?"
"No, I went earlier. Thank you."
"Do you mind if I ask Lu if she wants to come with us?"
"Where are you going?"
