A knock forced my attention to my aunt. The box she held set me off.
I threw my hands up. “I’m not wearing it.”
“What?” Aunt Kiersten asked.
“Don’t come to me with that Garrard box. I’m not wearinga tiara tonight. The mission is supposedly to have fun. If I wear one, I’ll be stuffy.”
“Oh, I wasn’t going to say to wear the whole thing.” She sat the box down on my bed and opened it. “We can create a hair ornament if we break it down. This was one of your grandmother’s favorite tiaras, but she loved to break it into pieces. And given that it was a gift from the Brits to your British grandmother, I think it would be fitting.”
I hated to argue with her.
“Just… let’s try,” Aunt Kiersten said. “Oh, I think it could look so pretty. It’s going to be a nice night.”
“Full of symbolism.” Ingrid elbowed me.
“Well, I just want you to look beautiful because everyone is tuning in,” Aunt Kiersten said. “And… I know you don’t want to make a big deal out of it, but I am sure everyone will want to see you and Mary looking happy. It’s nice.”
Cici’s eyes met mine in the no-nonsense big sister way. I considered what I’d regret more. Would it be the press assuming undue influence or missing out on this night with the woman I loved—who wrote an album about me? I knew my answer.
“Fine,” I agreed. “Because I’ll want to walk with her tonight, yeah?”
“Yes.” My aunt grinned. “We will all be there. Why shouldn’t you walk with her?”
It was done. Not even a tiara threat prevented having a good time.
Chapter 55
Hard Launch
MARY
“This place is madness,” Barry said.
His wife shook her head. “I didn’t know anyone cared about UniVox. The Brits don’t.”
I chuckled. “No, but Scandinavians take it very seriously. Everyone in the Nordics does.”
“I sorta think it has to do with the cute host finding love with one of the front runners.” Bea teased in a way that made me want to die.
“Can we just keep this… cool?” I asked.
It wasn’t though. I felt like a girl attending her first school dance at forty-three. The people lining the street wanted a show—whether that be from their favorite musical act or from the bizarre royal-popstar combo that was all over the pages. But was that bad? I worked my entire life for a moment like this. I would sing my heart out about taking back my power—introduced by the girl I couldn’t quit. Even I couldn’t be lowkey now.
“You never let us have fun,” Alicia said. “We have earned it, little Viking.”
She was right.
I acquiesced. “You’re right, I’m being a buzzkill. We’ve all waited our lives for something like this.”
My phone buzzed in my palms. I broke my own rules about keeping it on during public appearances because I wanted Betty to reach me if she needed. I expected to see a message from Betty. It was Ali.
ALIA
My parents and I are watching the whole thing. Break a leg! You will do amazing!
I smiled. Her words meant more than she knew. Somehow, being the grownup I needed back then was healing part of me I didn’t know I could.
ME
