Before he can get too sentimental, the doorbell rings. Mia practically flies to answer it, and when she swings the door open,Nolan steps inside, looking sharp in a black suit that perfectly matches Mia’s dress.
"You clean up nice," I tease.
Nolan smirks. "So do you."
Then another car door slams. My heart does a weird flip in my chest because I already know who it is. Xavier.
I turn in time to see him walking up the driveway. And wow. He looks good. More than good. He looks edible and delicious.
He’s in a black suit, and the tie matches my dress in color, slightly loosened, looking so effortlessly put together that it’s almost unfair. His dark hair is styled just enough to look intentional yet still messy, as if he ran his fingers through it too many times.
But the best part? The second he sees me, he stops dead in his tracks.
Mia nudges Nolan. "Oh my God, he's doing that thing again."
Xavier swallows hard, his jaw working like he’s trying to find words and failing spectacularly. Finally, he exhales. "Wow."
I raise a brow. "That’s all you got?"
He clears his throat, taking a few steps closer. "You look…" He stops, shaking his head. "There aren't even words, Izzy."
Mia squeals. "I knew it. He’s gone!"
Nolan groans. "Can we take the damn pictures before she explodes?"
My dad positions us in every possible combination, from individual shots and pairings to group photos. He even makes us do a ridiculous “fun” pose with Mia and Nolan in dramatic prom-style dips while Xavier and I stand awkwardly, both trying not to laugh.
And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel the weight of what’s missing. I feel… happy.
Because even though my mom isn’t here, these people are. And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.
Xavier rented a freaking limo. Because, of course, he did. When we climb inside, Mia is already hyped up on sheer excitement and possibly sugar, while Nolan tries to act unimpressed but fails when he sees the snack bar.
Xavier slides in beside me, close enough that his arm brushes mine. "You okay?" he asks quietly, his voice meant only for me.
Those two words mean the world to me. I glance at him, at the way his eyes search mine, as if he already knows the answer. I nod. "Yeah. I think I am."
He holds my gaze for a second longer, then nods. "Good."
As the limo pulls away toward a night we won’t forget, I let myself believe it.
Chapter Ten
Xaiver
Iknew Izzy would look good tonight, but I wasn’t prepared for this. She’s standing in the middle of her living room, the soft glow of the lamp catching the deep red of her dress and making it shimmer like embers in a fire. And me? I’m a complete goner.
I manage to saywowlike an idiot before my brain short-circuits completely.
Mia, of course, notices. “Oh my God, he’s doing the thing again.”
I blink, tearing my eyes away from Izzy long enough to glare at her. “What thing?”
“The thing where your brain malfunctions around Izzy,” Nolan deadpans.
I scowl. “That’s not a thing.”
Mia smirks. “Oh, it’s a thing.”
