Chapter 10 #2
Jinx flushed deeper, but she was smiling and looked so excited and hopeful, it made something in Sasha’s heart warm.
It had been interesting to watch her best friend deal with the rollercoaster of emotions going to grad with Logan had triggered. Sasha’s need to protect was shockingly non-existent. Logan was good for Jinx. Jinx was good for him.
Maybe they’d actually figure that out after today.
Prompted by Petra, Sasha stepped into position with Emma and Jinx for a few more photos before heading for the school.
The mirror shone back their reflection. Emma stood on her right in a pale blue sheath dress with small cap sleeves and three layers of skirt on the bottom that ended at her knees.
Her gaze met Sasha’s, pure and bright and utterly confident.
On Sasha’s left, Jinx wore an A-line dress in the palest of dusty pink.
Her shoulders were bare, but the cut was modest, and her long dark hair lay over her shoulder in a single soft fishtail braid.
Her mom had given her a simple single diamond pendant to wear.
Sasha’s dress was champagne with a lace overlay covered with flower embroidery, and it was the most elegant yet daring thing she’d ever worn in her life.
Her little sister and her best friend at her side, a milestone to celebrate. Today was a good day.
Tomorrow she’d face the future.
If they’d stopped at High Water and dropped her off, Jinx would have had more time to deal with the butterflies in her belly. But it made more sense for them all to head to the school and meet the rest of her family there.
Up front, Mr. and Mrs. Stone sat with Tyler between them. Jinx was tucked into the back seat with Sasha and Emma, thankful that Tyler babbled nonstop with Emma, who answered all his questions with endless patience.
Sasha caught Jinx’s fingers, leaning closer in the back seat of the truck to speak quietly enough not to be overheard. “You’re okay.”
Jinx snorted. “Isn’t that supposed to be a question?”
“No. Because it’s a truth.” Sasha squeezed gently. “I remember the first time we met. At Buns and Roses.”
It was a lifetime ago—two years and an entire lifetime of changes. “I was so scared.” Hopeful inside but scared. Her entire world had been upset, but the possibility of good was right there.
“You were. But you were also strong. I could see it.” Sasha met Jinx’s gaze. “Neither of us is the same person we were back then. We’ve grown up, and that’s a good thing.”
“You’re my best friend.” Jinx blinked hard. “Don’t make me cry. I’m wearing makeup and don’t know what will happen.”
“Your mom said they got the waterproof stuff, but screw it. If we want to cry, we get to.”
Jinx shook her head. “Don’t want to cry. It’s a day to celebrate.”
She was still worried, though. As good as it felt to have Sasha affirm that she was strong, what if kept racing through her brain.
Sasha eyed her closely then leaned in again. “I need to tell you a secret. Logan is just as excited and just as scared right now as you are.”
Breath vanished from Jinx’s lungs. “Really?”
“Really.” Sasha’s smile widened. “But here’s the really important bit. While I know you like him, and I know he likes you—yes, that’s a know, not a think—the part I’m absolutely positive about is that he’s your friend. Truth?”
A truth Jinx couldn’t deny, which in itself was a miracle, considering her past. “Yes.”
“You just said it. Today is a day to celebrate with friends. You, me, and Emma already made some memories. Now you get to add Logan and the rest of your family. Nothing scary about that.”
Also right.
Jinx threw her arms around Sasha’s neck and hugged her tight. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
The smile reflected in the rearview mirror said Mr. Stone had overheard at least part of the conversation, but that was fine. He was a good part of Jinx’s new world, as well.
Outside the school, pandemonium reigned as all her classmates gathered with their families for photos with grad couples, with individual families, and larger groups.
The school had set up a few photo stations, plus the usual shots with the wide green of the school fields and the Rocky Mountains in the background.
Some classmates arrived in shiny polished trucks, some old-fashioned classic cars. Someone had rented a limo—Sasha pointed that one out with a shake of her head before shrugging. “If it makes them happy, I guess.”
The Stones waited until Petra and Aiden—Mom and Dad, Jinx corrected herself yet again—showed up with her baby brother before taking Sasha and Emma off for their own family chaos.
“We’ll see you at the dinner,” Sasha promised. Emma squeezed Jinx tightly, then they both took off in pursuit of their parents.
More and more of the people important to Jinx arrived. Grandpa Zach hugged her, then Grandma Pam gave her a set of pink teardrop earrings to wear. “They’re yours to keep,” she said. “All our girls got earrings to celebrate their completion of high school.”
Jinx’s throat tightened. “Thank you, Grandma.”
She got a smile and wink and then more hugs as Auntie Julia and Uncle Zach arrived a moment before the entire High Water family.
Jake, Tansy, and Jeffrey. Sydney and Declan.
Kevin and Edison—who re-draped her braid over her shoulder then touched up her lipstick for her with a wink.
“Pale colours suit you, but you need to keep those lips shiny, girl.”
“Shiny like you?” she teased.
He grinned.
Declan stepped to her side. “You look beautiful and all grown-up,” he told her solemnly.
She caught both his hands in hers and took a deep breath.
She loved Aiden and Petra with everything in her and was proud to call them her parents.
But Declan? He’d been the first man she’d trusted in a long time.
What she felt for him was a bit of hero worship and a ton of gratitude.
“I’ve had a good place to grow,” she told him softly.
His eyes misted. He nodded briskly then wiped at them quickly. “Good. Good.”
She was going to be bawling in a minute if she wasn’t careful.
So she asked the one question she really needed an answer to. She peered around at the gathering crowd. “Where’s Logan?”
Declan’s expression changed to sheer amusement. “Aiden, ETA on Logan’s arrival?”
Aiden checked his watch. “Five minutes.” He hurried to Jinx’s side, held out his arm for her to take. “Ready to escort you, daughter.”
She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she slipped her hand around his elbow. “What’s up?”