Chapter 17 #4
“Hey, I’m going to use the ladies’ room. It was a long ride,” Dahlia whispered in his ear.
“Sure. Want me to walk with you?” he asked.
The group of girls on the couch just scowled at her as if they’d clearly taken his ex’s side. “Nah, I’m a big girl.”
“Okay, it’s through those big doors and to the left. You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks.” Dahlia smiled. “I’ll be back.” She glided across the grass like she was walking on air.
Despite the earth-shattering news of Gran’s affair and Rose’s paternity earlier in the week, she was determined to make the most of the night.
Burning the sage was her way of manifesting a peaceful night, and one could only hope it worked.
Dahlia was crossing things off her bucket list, and a summer night in the Hamptons with a gorgeous guy on her arm was sure to be penciled in at the bottom.
A waft of cold air greeted her as she walked through the double doors. The décor was on-trend, with high-end lighting and wallpaper. The narrow hallway was filled with old black-and-white sailing images, a nice juxtaposition with the bold floral paper.
Dahlia pushed open the door and found an empty stall. She squatted over the toilet and looked at her phone. There was a message from Kara.
Girl, you got this. Call me in the am.
Dahlia smiled, feeling a light buzz settle in. Then the main door of the bathroom flung open, knocking the wall, startling her.
“Oh my gosh, did you see how she looked at him? Makes me sick,” one girl said.
“Noah could do so much better than her, Josie. I mean, what a step down, girl,” another said in a high-pitched voice. “And where did she get that dress, the thrift store?”
Dahlia gasped as she pulled up her thong. The thud of her heart could be heard in her throat. They were talking about her. She froze, not knowing what to do. She could walk out and ignore them. Hide until they left, or walk out and own it.
“No, but the worst part is she’s old. Jake said she’s like fifteen years older,” another girl said with a condescending tone.
“How embarrassing. I’m just glad he can’t humiliate me anymore with his sad family story and now this. Bye-bye, lover, this bitch has some real men to slay.”
Ugh, Dahlia wanted to scream. Fifteen years older, exaggerate much?
Dahlia could feel the rage travel to her cheeks.
She took a lungful of bathroom air and remembered her earlier conversation with Kara.
“Remember, you’re Dahlia Fucking Newberry.
She’s a baby who needs a bottle, and you’re a woman with wit, perspective, and beauty.
She’s got nothing on you.” As much as she wanted to curl up in a ball and cry, she didn’t.
She couldn’t. The unkind words hurt Dahlia, but she was more annoyed by the mean girl behavior.
Dahlia never let the girls in Daisy’s grade get away with it, and nor would she tonight.
She was in protective mama bear mode, this time standing up for herself.
She opened the stall door and walked in slow motion to the sink. On the outside, she was poised, but on the inside, she was a storm churning.
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“Do you all feel better?” she said, glancing at the women.
“You do know you’re all going to age, right?
Every single one of you. Like death and taxes, there’s no way around it,” Dahlia said, calmly wiping her hands.
“And I may have a few more wrinkles than you do, but it’s a small price to pay for humility and grace.
” Dahlia turned to Josie, staring right into her hollow blue eyes.
“I have to say I was a little nervous that you’d be prettier in person, but honestly, mean people aren’t pretty.
So thanks for that.” And with that, she threw her paper towel in the garbage and shoved open the door with both hands.
Who was that version of herself? She wasn’t sure, but she freaking liked it.
Who knew conflict could feel so damn good?
First Spence, now Josie. It dawned on her that perhaps she’d projected some of her Spence anger onto Josie, but she also realized that Josie and Spence felt like one and the same.
It was no wonder Dahlia and Noah had found one another.
She smirked in satisfaction. It was as if she heard the song “Brave” playing in her head.
Dahlia held her shoulders back like she’d inherited a superpower and walked toward Noah.
“Hey. Everything good?”
“Yup, fine.” She smiled.
Noah looked past her down the hallway. “Was Josie in there with you? Did she bother you?” His nostrils flared.
“Noah, it’s okay.” She reached for his forearm. “I don’t care. She could say anything to me, and it would bounce right off. Her energy is that dirty.” Dahlia didn’t know where her nerve and confidence were coming from, but she wasn’t going to question it.
“I know it is.” He gripped her hand like she was being dragged to sea. “Do you want to leave?”
This was her chance to go home with him and sit by the fire pit or do other adult things. Did she?
“No, this is your night.” She refused to be scared off. She was bigger than that.
He looked into her eyes. “Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. Plus, if it gets rowdy again, I’ve got my boxing gloves in the car.”
“Evander Holyfield, watch out.” He chuckled. “Oh, Penny, my producer friend is here. You can meet her if you still want to. It’s up to you.”
Dahlia hesitated, feeling stronger than she had an hour ago. “Yes, I’d love to chat with her. Who knows, maybe she’ll be able to track this G person down.” However, she did wonder if he wanted to be tracked down, especially if he was famous.