Chapter 21
Summer
“Okay, you’re done,” Gabby smiles at me in the bathroom mirror. We took a stool from the island in here so she could do my hair and makeup.
I look up and can’t believe it’s me staring back.
My hair is so soft, with tendrils framing my face.
I’ve got dramatic eyes with dark shadow and eyeliner that bring out the green color.
A dusting of blush highlights my cheekbones, and ruby-red lips complete the look.
When I asked Gabby to do my hair and makeup, I insisted on paying her for her time.
She refused at first, but I wore her down.
“Gabby, you are amazing. I can’t believe your talent. Thanks so much.”
“You’re gonna turn heads tonight, Summer. I can’t wait to go to prom next year.”
“I know you’ll be stunning,” I smile at her.
Gabby is the reason I have a dress to wear tonight.
After stopping at every dress store in the area, I found nothing.
Most of the gowns were princess-style, and I quickly learned I didn’t like those.
It turns out I’m a practical girl who likes simple elegance instead of pouf.
Holly found a beautiful red gown at the first store that looks amazing on her, and graciously followed Gabby and me to many other shops, trying to find me something.
Gabby found my dress online the next day, and I ordered it with rush delivery.
“Let’s get you into your gown. Bay will be here soon,” she tells me, peeking out the bathroom door.
“The coast is clear,” she winks. We quickly dash into my room, and Gabby locks the door behind her.
The guys, mostly Seb, have been trying to sneak a peek at my gown since it arrived, but I want it to be a surprise.
Dropping my robe in the closet, I step into the dress and pull it up over my body.
It's dark green in color with black lace over the entire gown. Spaghetti straps hold it in place, with a v neckline showing a small amount of cleavage. Two slits run up each thigh that you cannot see unless I’m walking or sitting.
The back is open until just above my butt, and there are two hidden pockets at my hips.
I can’t wear a bra with it because of the low back, so I bought an invisible bra set.
Gabby swears they’ll stay on all night, so I’m taking her word for it.
I zip it up and then put on my shoes, which are another Gabby find.
They are lace-up peep-toes that are a cross between a boot and a pump.
They have chunky heels that raise me up a few inches, but don’t actually feel unsteady like high heels.
I’ve worn them in the evenings when the guys weren’t around to get used to them.
As I step out of my closet, Gabby hands me a pair of earrings and my wristlet. “You look stunning,” Gabby says with a broad smile.
“Thanks to you,” I smile back, placing my phone, some cash, lipstick, and keys inside.
“I heard Bay get here, so let’s go out to the living room,” she says.
Taking a deep breath and shaking my hands to expel my nerves, I follow her out.
When we get to the living room, I hear a gasp and look up.
Zander is standing behind the couch, tears filling his eyes.
Troy is smiling, and my three friends have their mouths hanging open.
“Summer, you are so beautiful,” Zander says, wiping his cheeks. “You look like your mom.”
“Really?” I ask as my own eyes fill.
He nods and walks over to me and pulls me into a hug. “Really.”
“No tears, Summer, you’ll ruin my hard work,” Gabby says, handing me a tissue as I step back from Zander.
“Okay,” I tell her, dabbing the corner of my eyes, hauling in a deep breath.
“No tears.” I inspect Seb and E and holy hotness.
Seb is in a light sand-colored suit with the top few buttons undone and no tie, but he has a blue pocket square.
The color of the suit looks amazing against his tan skin and dark hair.
His face is clean-shaven, and his hair is gelled back off his face.
“Sunshine, I’m speechless. You are all the words together that mean perfect,” he tells me, coming in for a hug. “Damn, you smell incredible, too. That’s a new perfume, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, this is the third option.” I’ve worn the other two already, and he liked them both. I’m undecided which is my favorite right now.
“This one is nice, too,” he says, stepping back.
Turning my attention to E, I see he has a light blue suit on, matching Seb’s pocket square with a sand-colored tie to match Seb’s suit.
The light blue looks stunning with his golden coloring, and E is also clean-shaven tonight.
He steps forward and envelops me in a gentle hug.
“You are the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen,” he whispers.
“Thanks, E, you are beautiful too,” I reply.
As he steps back, Bay walks forward with a bouquet. “You are so stunning,” he says as a blush washes over him. “I’m a lucky guy. Here, these are for you.” He hands me the bouquet, and I take a deep inhale. They're cabbage roses in soft pastels.
“Cabbage roses are one of my favorites. Thank you, Bay.” Wow, emotions are running rampant tonight.
“I’ll put them in water for you,” Gabby offers, taking them from me.
Bay is wearing a light grey suit with a dark green tie that matches my dress. He looks so handsome, and I tell him so. His blush deepens, but he has a dazzling grin on his face.
“Okay, picture time,” Zander says, clapping his hands. He and Troy both get their phones out.
They start with individual shots, then couples. Next is me with E and Seb. Finally, a few of all four of us. It takes some time with us all handing Troy and Zander our phones as well.
Once we complete the pictures, we say our goodbyes and leave in my Jeep. Bay is driving with me in the passenger seat. E has a reservation at a downtown Charleston restaurant at 7:30pm for us. Surprisingly, Nick will join us for dinner, despite not wanting to go to prom, along with Alex and Reesa.
“Sunshine, seriously, you are stunning,” Seb says. “Did you look in the mirror? That dress is something else. I got goosebumps when I saw you.”
“Thanks, Hurry,” I say, turning my head to see him. All these compliments are making me sweaty, but are great for my ego. “All three of you are so handsome in your suits. I love all the light colors too. It’s a nice change from the classic black.”
“We do look pretty awesome,” Seb says.
I chuckle and shake my head, turning back around. My nerves have settled a little, but I still have butterflies in my stomach. Hopefully, my belly will settle down soon. The conversation flows easily as we head to Charleston.
The restaurant has valet parking, so Bay drives up to the front of the building.
My door opening startles me as I didn’t see anyone nearby.
Nick bends down and holds out his hand to me.
“Oh. Hi Grumpy,” I smile, taking his hand to get out.
When I step away from the Jeep, his hand tightens around mine.
Looking up, I see him staring at me. His eyes slowly drag up my body from my toes all the way to my hair.
A shudder encompasses me as butterflies go crazy in my belly.
He looks like he wants to devour me. Lifting my arm, he twirls me around to see the back.
I almost miss it, but hear him mutter ‘fuck’ under his breath.
“You look nice,” I say when I turn back around, trying to pretend he has no effect on me. Nick is wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black dress pants, and shoes. His usual man bun and scruff are present.
“Shortie,” he grunts, placing a hand on my lower back to escort me into the restaurant where Bay, Seb, and E are waiting for us.
The host guides us to a table overlooking a small green space between buildings, where Alex and Reesa are already sitting.
Nick guides me to a chair one away from Alex, and Bay pulls it out for me as Alex stands.
“Hi Alex,” I smile.
“Hello Summer, you look beautiful,” he returns.
I take my seat as Nick slips into the seat between Alex and me, while Bay sits on my left. Seb and E take the remaining two chairs at the round table. “Hi Reesa,” I wave, and I get a smile in return.
A server shows up as soon as we're seated, taking our drink orders. “I asked the chef to prepare a special meal for us, if you guys don’t mind?” E asks everyone.
A round of ‘no’s’ accompanies his question.
As the server comes back with our drinks, several platters of food are placed in the center of our table.
The chef joins us, shaking E’s hand before introducing the appetizers.
Nick sweetly fills a plate for me before getting his own.
There are oysters with several oils sprinkled on the open shells, pastry cups filled with Pico de gallo and herbs, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp, and fancy bread. Everything I try is delicious.
The main course is filet mignon in a herb sauce, a rosette of potatoes, and roasted veggies in sauce. After the main course, the waitstaff places an assortment of mini desserts in the center of the table. “What would you like to try?” Bay asks, leaning over.
“I don’t know. I already have a food baby,” I tell him, rubbing my belly. I hear the guys chuckle at me.
Alex gets a white mini cake for Reesa as E plates up three minis and sends them around the table to me. “Just take a bite of each of these. You’ll love them,” he smiles.