Chapter 18
1208 Words
Livia’s POV
Tension hangs in the air. The compliment washes over me like salve, healing all my insecurities.
There it is again. That look. Ford’s eyes flickering to my lips. But this time, it goes down. Past my neck, right to my breasts….
“Dad? Livia?”
Nadine’s voice makes us jolt. Ford springs away from me and says, “We’re here, honey.”
Did I imagine it, or did I just see him blush?
Smiling like an i***t, I step out of the small partition and show Nadine my dress. “What do you think?”
“Girl, you’re going to steal hearts tonight!” Nadine beams. “She looks so good in the dress, Dad, look!”
“She really does, she looks like a princess,” Ford confirms. But now, he looks distracted. Distant, almost. I notice that he’s taking his phone out of his pocket. “Oh, shoot. I forgot that I was supposed to see someone today. Will you girls be okay alone? You can take the car.”
“We’ll be fine,” Nadine says casually, but my insides are burning with curiosity. Who’s he going to meet. “Take care. See you at the party later. Don’t be late.”
“And risk getting whooped by my daughter and her best friend?” Ford jokes, flashing me a smile. “We’re getting that dress for you. It’s too pretty to pass up on.”
I start to stammer. “But I only have….”
The rest of my words go up in the air. Ford nods at us and leaves, passing his card right to Nadine.
“Let’s go, let’s pay for your dress,” Nadine says, helping me take off the dress so we can pay for it.
In no time, we’re out of the store, and I’m carrying the bag. She already picked out gloves for me for the event. She’s so happy, and a big part of me is too. I’m out of the house on a weekend and not cleaning any mess that David or Tyler has made.
But I don’t know. Something about the way Ford looked at me. Something about the way he just left saying that he needed to see somebody.
Did he get uncomfortable?
Did I make him uncomfortable?
As Nadine and I go to the jewelry store to pick out some cheap accessories, I can’t help but ask, “Do you know who your dad is meeting?”
Nadine just shrugs. “I don’t know. Probably a buddy of his. He plays golf with a couple of guys.”
I nod, feeling a wave of relief.
***
Their house is already set for the party when Nadine and I arrive. Their entire top floor has been turned into what looks like a set of a period drama—complete with flowers, chandeliers, fairylights, and a dainty grazing table with pretty desserts.
An older woman named Ella is organizing it all. She kisses Nadine on the cheek, moving on to hug me tight.
“I’m like Nadine’s auntie at this point,” she tells me happily. “I’m so happy to meet you! I heard a lot about you both from Nadine and Ford.”
My heart swells with happiness. So Ford talks about me?
“I hope it’s all good things,” I say shyly.
“It’s all wonderful things,” she promises me. “But hey, let’s get you all ready for the party.”
“Dad agreed to pay for the makeup team I hired,” Nadine says, smiling as she takes my hand and brings me to her room. “They’re going to make us look like we just walked of the set of the show!”
She gets me settled in her room, and soon enough, about four people come in to do our hair and makeup. I keep staring at myself in the mirror as my artist transforms me from raggedy into someone actually very pretty. They curled my hair and put half of it up, decorating it with ribbons. My makeup is simple, with eyeshadow that sparkles just right when the light catches it.
By the time they’re done, I’m blown away.
“Wow,” Nadine says when she sees me. “Livs, you’re so freaking pretty!”
“Thank you.” I look down. “Never as pretty as you, though.”
“What are you talking about?” she splutters, making me face the mirror. “Tonight, you will get so many dances!” Then her lips curl mischievously. “Maybe you’ll even get your first kiss.”
“Nadine!” I hiss at her, but my face is flaming and I can’t stop smiling.
The part starts not long after. The classical, upbeat music starts. Kids from our year start to arrive, dressed according to the theme. They all approach Nadine and she gets busy handling the gifts and the greetings. Not wanting to get in the way, I sit in the corner, feeling self-conscious but excited, watching as the boys from the soccer team show up.
I crane my neck, expecting Ford to walk in too.
But he’s nowhere to be found.
Aiden is right at the front of the crowd, his jaw dropping when he sees Nadine. He says something to her, kissing her on the cheek, looking at her like she just caught the moon for him.
“Aww, he really likes her, doesn’t he?” Ella says, sitting next to me. “I hope he doesn’t chicken out when Ford meets him tonight.”
I let out a laugh, but I sound nervous. “I really hope so.”
“So, you expecting anyone tonight?” She nudges me teasingly. “Who among those boys do you want to dance with? That one is checking you out.”
I follow her line of sight. It’s that boy again, the one with the red bandanna from when Nadine and I watched soccer practice. The one I said hi to but didn’t even talk to me.
He is indeed glancing at me.
But maybe he just thinks I’m ugly.
“I don’t think that’s true,” I just say. The one I really want to dance with isn’t here, and it’s making me real nervous. “Where’s Ford, by the way?”
Ella takes a sip from her wineglass. “I don’t know. Maybe he just… wait, there he is!”
I perk up immediately. I even shoot to my feet. I scan the room like a hawk, my pulse racing with excitement.
I can’t wait for Ford to see me like this. I can’t wait to ask him for a dance. Maybe I can pass it off as innocent well enough. But maybe I can also see him looking at me that way again. Like he wants me too….
Finally, I see him.
Dressed in a suit with a tailcoat, looking like he just walked right out of a romance novel cover. Handsome. Smiling. I raise my hand to catch his attention.
Then I see it.
Ford isn’t alone.
Behind him is a pretty woman, smiling up at him with unmistakable desire in her eyes.
And he’s holding her hand.
- Writer
