Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cassie
No matter how long I stare at the contents of my wardrobe, nothing cute appears.
What the hell was I thinking when I packed for this trip?
Scratch that. I know exactly what I was thinking—I wanted to look absolutely nothing like Melody Night and to wear all the things Miranda banned from my closet long ago.
Comfy sweatshirts. Jeans. Baggy t-shirts.
I expected to spend my time in Pine Grove as a complete loner who mostly stayed in her room, except to eat, browse the cute shops Bailey told me about, and go on the occasional walk in the surrounding area.
But no, I had to crash Liam’s car into Bowman’s and let my entire plan to live like a hermit implode from there.
Now I have my first official date with Austin tonight and absolutely nothing appropriate to wear.
It’s been a little over a week since we got together, and tonight is the first evening we’ve both had free.
That’s not to say we haven’t spent a lot of time together these past few days—it’s just mostly been exchanging heated looks across the bar, or naked in his bed after the closing shifts we’ve worked together.
Tonight is different. Tonight, we’re going to a proper restaurant with a wine list neither of us cares much about.
We’ll go through the motions of letting the server pour a little from the bottle for us to taste before we all agree that yes, it is wine.
Austin will try to pull my chair out for me like a gentleman.
I’ll ask him not to because the whole awkwardly scooting in with someone’s hands hovering over the back of your chair thing is responsible for some of the most deeply uncomfortable interactions I’ve ever had in public.
Considering I’m famous, that’s really saying something.
We’ll get to know each other better bathed in flickering candlelight, while I do my best to be open with him without giving away anything about my secret life.
Then, after a lovely dinner, we’ll go back to his place and keep getting to know each other on a more intimate level.
Or we would if I had anything remotely acceptable to wear.
Flopping back onto my bed, I video call Liam. He’s got some time off between the ad he just finished shooting and the mini-series he’s due to start working on at the end of July, so he’ll probably pick up even though it’s early.
After a couple of rings, he answers, leaning against his headboard and looking like he’s only recently woken up.
“Help,” I moan pitifully.
“What’s wrong? Did someone find out you’re Melody?”
“No. This is personal drama, not career drama,” I assure him, trying not to giggle at his alarm and the way his chocolate-brown hair sticks up in every direction.
The panicked look in his eyes recedes. “OK, good. What’s wrong then?”
“I have a date with Austin tonight and nothing to wear.” I pout.
“You stopped being a chicken and told him how you feel, huh?” Liam asks, a smug smile on his face.
“No need to look so pleased with yourself.”
“Sorry, I thought I was speaking to someone who wanted my help.”
I sigh dramatically. “Fine, yes, you were right. Talking worked, but now I have a date and nothing to wear.”
He runs a hand through his hair, leaving it looking even more rumpled. “You know this is really more Bailey’s department, right?”
“What do you mean? You both have great style, plus you know me better.”
“Correction, Bailey has great style. I have a great stylist who tells me exactly what to wear.”
“God, you’re so Hollywood.”
He snorts. “Says the princess of country music.”
“You know I hate that stupid nickname.”
“Sorry.” Liam grimaces. “I’ve not had my morning coffee yet—my brain to mouth filter hasn’t switched on.”
“Has it ever?” I tease, making sure he knows I’m not taking the dig to heart.
“Ha ha.” He gets up, presumably walking to the kitchen for said coffee.
“Is Bailey free?”
“Did I hear my name?” Bailey’s voice sounds from somewhere offscreen. For a moment I’m treated to a view of their kitchen tiles as Liam leans in to give her a quick kiss. “Yeah, Cassie wants to talk to you.”
Bailey takes Liam’s phone. “What’s up” she asks.
“I need fashion advice.”
Her grey eyes widen. “From me, why?”
“Because she’s got a daaate,” Liam singsongs from off camera.
Bailey gasps, eyes glittering with excitement. “You do? Who with? Wait, please tell me it’s with your hot boss. When’s it happening?”
Laughing at her barrage of questions, I do my best to answer them all. “Yes, with Austin, and it’s tonight.”
“This is so exciting. I’m happy you two are already getting together—Liam thought you were going to avoid your feelings for at least another month.”
“Hey!” we both cry out, equally offended.
“Rude,” I say, knowing he can hear me.
“Says the woman who’s living a secret life to avoid dealing with her problems.”
OK, Ouch.
“Liam,” Bailey hisses, shooting a reprimanding glare at him.
“No, it’s fine,” I sigh. “He’s not wrong. Still, you could have kissed the brick before throwing it at me or whatever it is the kids are saying.”
Liam snorts. “The kids? You’re only twenty-four.”
“And yet eighteen feels like a lifetime ago.”
“Um, I don’t think that means what you think it does,” Bailey interjects between my and Liam’s bickering.
“Probably not—there’s a reason I usually have people manage my social media for me.”
“OK, let’s get back to your date. It’s tonight?”
“Yeah,” I reply, butterflies of anticipation fluttering in my chest. “I didn’t bring anything cute with me, and it’s obviously too late to order something.
I was thinking about asking one of the girls to go shopping with me after we all meet for coffee, but then I realised I don’t even know what to pick to wear on a date. ”
“What do you mean?” Bailey asks.
“She means she doesn’t know what to wear when she’s not being dressed up like country music Barbie,” Liam explains.
“Yes, that,” I agree.
“OK. What are you doing on the date? Is it an activity, dinner—”
“Dinner. Not super fancy, but I believe there will be tablecloths.”
Bailey nods. “Got it. So, like a smart-casual vibe?”
“What does that even mean?”
Her eyes widen at the stress in my voice. “Don’t panic. Everything’s fine. We’re going to break this down into manageable chunks, OK?”
“OK,” I reply, unsure how she’s going to make figuring out my preferences after a lifetime of being shoved in a glittery box manageable.
“Let’s start with colours. What do you like?”
My chest feels tight and my palms are sweaty. Why is this so difficult? “Um… black? Is that too boring? Darker colours, I guess, like burgundy or maybe a royal blue?”
“OK, good. That’s good. We can totally work with that. Now let’s talk fabric.”
“No chiffon,” I reply immediately. “I’m not really a fan of lace either.”
“What about shape and style? Is there a neckline you like or a skirt shape you prefer?”
“I like v-necks for dresses and stuff. Round necklines are fine for t-shirts. Um, nothing super short? Whenever my team puts me in mini dresses, I always feel like I’m going to end up with paparazzi photos of me accidentally flashing my underwear all over the internet.
Some embellishment is fine, but nothing super frilly.
And no bows—no offence,” I add, knowing Bailey almost always wears an oversized bow in her hair.
“They look super cute on you, but they’re just not me. ”
“None taken,” she assures me. “Alright, here’s what you’re going to tell your friend you’re looking for so they can help you shop. Ready?”
“Is it weird that I’m nervous? This is pathetic, right? It’s just clothes, I should be able to dress myself without panicking.” My throat’s tight and my eyes burn, but I refuse to cry over this.
“Hey, none of that,” Bailey replies, a sharp edge to her voice I’ve never heard before.
“You are not pathetic. You’ve spent years being forced to conform to some old white man’s idea of what young women and teens want.
” She takes a calming breath and softens her tone.
“It’s completely understandable that having choices for the first time feels overwhelming. Got it?”
Not trusting myself to speak, I nod.
“Good. Now, you’re going to tell your friend you’re looking for black, grey, or jewel-toned colours with classic lines. You’re looking for simple—nothing that’s overtly traditionally feminine.”
Taking a few deep breaths, I let that sink in while Bailey waits patiently. “OK. I can do that. Thank you—for helping me, and for, you know, the other stuff you said.”
“Anytime. I mean it, Cassie. I know we only met because I’m dating Liam, but we’re friends too now—I’ve got your back.”
My heart swells with appreciation for them both.
I may be building a new life for myself here in Pine Grove, but Liam and Bailey will always be my first true friends.
I’ll never forget all the ways they’ve been there for me.
“I’ve got yours too. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask. ”
Liam nudges his way back into view of the camera. “We know, and we love you.”
“Alright, stop that or you’re going to make me cry, and then I’ll have to explain why my eyes are all red when I meet the girls for coffee, and it’ll be a whole thing.”
“You hear that, Bails? She loves us too,” Liam says, clearly taking the piss.
We both roll our eyes, more than used to him by now. “Seriously though, thank you both. I need to get going, or I’m going to be late, but I’ll call you soon?”
“You’d better,” Bailey replies. “I want to hear all about your date.”
“You got it.”
We say our goodbyes, then I end the call feeling ten times lighter than I did before.
* * *