Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Molly
Growing up on a steady diet of movies and television shows where prom is the ultimate high school experience raised my expectations of this event to unnaturally high levels.
But over the last few weeks of listening to my classmates babble about nothing more interesting than spending a fortune on limos, dresses, dinners, and makeovers, or getting drunk, I’m a lot less enthusiastic about tonight’s adventure.
I almost feel guilty for forcing Griff to take me. He’s probably going to hate every second of it. If I hadn’t already bought my tickets and promised my friends I’d be there, I think I’d ask Griff to take me somewhere else.
At least I like my dress. I fluff the skirt as I pace next to the front window. Every few seconds I peek outside, searching for Griff’s car. I can’t wait for Griff to see me in my dress.
“Sit down, Molly,” Hayden scolds. “You’re making me anxious.”
“Your feet are going to be killing you if you keep walking in your heels now,” Darcy warns from the dining room chair we moved into the living room. Ella’s busy pressing and angling a flat iron into Darcy’s long hair to create a cascade of mermaid waves. If I tried that, I’d probably end up with half my face fried off.
I hold out one foot to show off my shiny silver platform sandals. “They’re pretty comfy.”
Kyla steps out from behind one of the screens we've put up in the corners of the living room to give us privacy. Too busy smiling at the phone in her hands, she almost trips over her floor-length peach-colored beaded gown.
That’s why I’m glad I chose a shorter dress.
“Walk much?” Hayden teases.
“Oh.” Kyla’s arm shoots behind her back, like she’s trying to hide that she was texting someone.
The back door slams shut. “Is it safe to come inside?” Remy shouts.
“No!” I yell.
Darcy clutches my arm, stopping me from running into the kitchen. “Are you sure Remy won’t go with one of us?” Her eyes stray toward the dining room, then she returns her attention to me. “Then Griff would have someone to keep him company,” she adds in a forced, cheerful tone.
From across the room, Ella snort-laughs.
“Eh.” I can’t imagine anything worse than my brother coming to my prom with us. “It’s not really his thing.”
“Jenn, you’re up next.” Ella pats the back of the chair Hayden just vacated. Jenn minces over in her floor-length red sequin dress. I almost fell over when she picked red instead of something champagne or beige. She looks like liquid fire in it, and I can’t wait to see what Ella does for her hair and makeup. We might not recognize Jenn by the end of the process.
“Can you ask him?” Darcy pleads, recapturing my attention.
Hell no. “Yeah, uh, sure.”
I scurry into the kitchen before Darcy runs in there and asks him herself. My shoes clackety-thud over the hardwood floors. Maybe the girls are right and I should take these off until we’re ready to leave.
Remy’s at the kitchen sink scrubbing grease off of his hands with a small, bristle brush.
“What’s up?” He glances over his shoulder, his eyes widening as he takes me in. “You look pretty.”
Remy doesn’t compliment me often. I stand straighter and fluff the layers of tulle that make up the lower half of my dress. “Thanks.”
“Are you nervous about tonight?” He slaps the faucet handle off and reaches for a paper towel.
“Nervous? No.” I lean over to slide the strap of my sandal off my heel, let the shoe drop to the floor, and then take off the other one. “It’s the same people I see every day, just wearing nicer clothes.” I scoop my sandals off the floor and hold them in the air like a trophy.
He snorts with laughter. “I love how practical you are. What about your friends?” He leans against the counter and lifts his chin toward the living room. “What are they expecting?”
I move closer to him and lower my voice. “We didn’t make a pact to all lose our virginity for prom like that old American Pie movie, so you can chill.”
Although I am very much looking forward to alone time with Griff at some point. That’s definitely not Remy’s business, though.
I swear his face turns a shade of green. He blinks rapidly and rears his head back. “So. Much. More. Information.” He shakes his head. “Than I ever needed.”
“Oh.” I titter with laughter. “Sorry.” Heat races over my skin as I realize how much I revealed with my off-hand jokey comment.
“You’re all staying for the after-party thing at the hotel?” he asks.
“Unless it’s totally boring, yeah.” I clasp my hands together. “They’re supposed to do a murder mystery game, though.” My excitement falters. “But I think I’m the only one who wants to do that.”