When the doorbell rings, I go to rush down the stairs, but Taylor stops me.
“No, we need to build anticipation. Let them get nervous so we definitely have their attention when we finally arrive.”
“Okayyy,” I say sarcastically, but I realize that this is probably more important for her than for me. And also, part of me is eager to see Alex. And I also just don’t want to keep him waiting if he’s already unenthused about spending the evening with me.
I let Taylor go downstairs first, and I can hear her parents oohing and ahhing over her dress. I hear Sam whisper, ‘you look so beautiful.’
I wait until I hear Taylor’s parents usher her and Sam away for photos before I head downstairs to much less fanfare. From the top of the stairs, I see Taylor and her father posing by the fireplace. I’m p
