The rest of the day dragged like someone had pressed life into slow-motion. Every time I walked past a mirror, I saw nerves all over my face. And every time I tried to shake it off, Ryan appeared somewhere behind me; silent, restless, pretending he wasn’t watching everything I did.
By the time I started getting ready for dinner, my stomach was twisting itself into knots. I didn’t want to impress Jake nor did I want to impress anyone.
But the second I reached for my lip gloss, I paused. Why am I doing this? For Jake?
A knock hit my door. “Ella?” Mom called. “Honey, dinner’s starting soon. Wear something presentable, okay?”
Presentable. Right. Easy for her to say.
I slipped into something simple, a little fitted top and jeans. Which was comfortable. Not too much, not too little but safe
