Chapter 55 Like the Adult I Am
LIKE THE ADULT I AM
The Light by The Album Leaf
Natalie
“What if he goes with someone else?” I ask Roe, Allie, Livie, and Cara, who are all sitting on my bed, watching me get ready like four proud moms. With the chaos of the store flooding, the repairs, my fears that pushed Holden away, and then Nick’s angel-versary, I completely forgot to call Holden to make sure the gala was still on.
And like the adult I am, I’m not going to.
I’m just going to show up, do one of those big acts of love declaration and stuff.
It sounded like a good idea until now. I walk out of the bathroom in the emerald green dress I picked just for this. I love this color, any shade of green really, and so does Holden, so I thought he’d like it. Now, I’m second-guessing everything.
“Holy shit,” Cara shouts when she sees me.
“What?”
“You look stunning,” Livie says.
“No, you look hot as fuck. I would kill for boobs like yours. Damn it.” Roe tries to push up her B cups, making me giggle. The dress is a one-shoulder A-Line, cinched at the waist with a small knot, then falls all the way to the ground.
“You look like a princess. Do you feel like a princess?” Allie asks, and I nod.
“Are you wearing your necklace?” Roe picks it up from the counter. I don’t even have to consider before shaking my head.
I take it from her, sliding it into my jewelry box. “I don’t need Nick’s wedding ring around my neck to remember our love, and I think it’s time I put it away.”
“Oh, Nat,” Cara says. “I’m so proud of you, babe.”
“I feel naked without it already, but it’ll be fine. It’s time.”
“Mom!” Bella shouts, knocking on the door before entering, and her jaw falls to the floor. “Oh my gosh, Mom!” She runs to me, giving me a hug. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
“Wow.” I’ll take it as the highest compliment to know I’ve left even my teenager speechless.
“Did you need something?” I ask her.
“Oh, yup! Coach Clay is at the door.”
What?
“What?” someone from the bed shouts, all of them scrambling to get up.
My stomach drops straight to my feet.
“Holden is here?” I repeat dumbly.
Bella nods, totally unfazed. “Yeah. He said he was here to see you.” She pauses, then grins. “He’s dressed faaaaancy.”
That does absolutely nothing to calm my nerves. Behind me, the room explodes.
Cara is already halfway to the door. “I knew it. I want to see.”
“No!” I whisper-shout. “Stay here.”
Allie just smiles, soft and knowing. “Go.”
I hesitate for half a second too long, then step into the hallway. Bella gives me a look that says don’t make this weird before disappearing back into her room.
Holden stands there in a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, dark green tie that surprises me. He somehow knew I would be wearing green. His eyes flick over me—and he stills.
“Oh,” he says quietly.
My heart stutters. “Oh?”
He swallows, clearly recalibrating. “You look… Wow.”
“Apparently, wow is a descriptor now. Bella used it too.”
“There are no words to describe the way you look right now.”
Aaaand I’m blushing. The tip of my nose heats, followed by my cheeks and my ears. My entire body is coming alive under his gaze. I clear my throat before saying, “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“I was hoping you didn’t change your mind,” he adds.
“Huh?” I raise a brow.
“About the gala.”
Something twists in my chest with the knowledge I’ve caused him pain with my indecision and lack of communication. “I thought you had.”
He lets out a short breath, almost a laugh. “Never. I told you I was patient, that I would be here. I was honestly just wishing you’d be ready when I showed up.”
I open my arms, showing him my dress. “That I am.”
We stand there, neither of us moving.
“So,” I say finally, crossing my arms, more for courage than anything else. “Your tie matches my dress.”
Another pause. His gaze flicks to my dress again, softer this time. “Green.”
I smile despite myself. “You always liked green, I guess.”
His mouth curves just a little. “I never did until I met you. I saw how beautiful you look in green, like it was made for you, and suddenly, I had a new favorite color.”
The words hang in the air until the spell is broken by a quiet sob. I turn to find my friends all eavesdropping and a very pregnant Cara crying.
“So,” I say, tilting my head, ignoring them. “Are you taking me to this gala, or are we just standing on my porch, having an emotional standoff?”
A spark lights in his eyes, relief mixing with joy. He offers his arm, tentative, like he’s giving me space to say no. Like he’s giving me an out he’s hoping I won’t take.
“I was hoping,” he says quietly, “you’d come with me.”
I slip my hand through his arm.
“Good,” I say. “Because I didn’t buy this dress to sit at home.” Good, Natalie; keep it lighthearted. You can do this.
His smile widens as he leans in, just enough to murmur, “I’m really glad you didn’t change your mind.”
“Me too,” I admit, even if I’m still terrified of talking to him.