“Gods damn.” She smirked, looking at herself.
“Do you like it?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
My lips curled when I saw the shocked expression on Victor’s face. For the first time ever, he was truly lost for words.
“How is it?” Frid turned to the young man.
“You look . . .” he mumbled.
“What? Terrible?” the girl asked.
“No! You look very... pretty,” he said and my heart sang deep in my chest.
For the first time in forever, I felt like my old self. I found joy in making everyone around me happy, even if it was a small, silly thing like sewing a dress or doing someone’s makeup. The look on Victor’s face, the faint blush that spread across Frid’s cheeks; were worth every second of discomfort and hard labor. It was what I was good at, and it was something I enjoyed doing.
Frid grumbled and plopped onto the couch beside Victor who looked too dumbstruck to move.
I returned to the mirror and fixed my locks, trying not to smile every time I caught a glimpse of Frid and Victor on the couch.
“Don’t look at me like that. You make me uncomfortable,” Frid muttered, but I could plainly see that she was pleased.
As I was adding some pigment to my lips, Grace swung the front door open. I stilled, and was disappointed that it was not Tynan.
“Good evening! I see you’re ready to go.” The older woman paused, gazing at Frid.
After a long moment she nodded in approval.
“We are,” the blond girl responded.
I could not hide my smile when I caught Victor’s eyes traveling down Frid’s neck.
“Alright, I need to have a chat with the girls.” Grace peered at Victor.
“Do you want me to leave?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
“Sure.” Victor got up and sauntered to his bedroom.
“Now, since it’s only the three of us here.” Grace sat on the couch beside Frid and patted the space beside her, signaling me to join them.
Reluctantly, I moved closer and took the spot beside Tynan’s grandma.
“Now... where was I? Oh, yes. Young women have all the power to do anything they want nowadays, but this freedom comes at a cost,” Grace started saying.
Frid frowned, giving me a questioning look. I shifted my eyes back to Grace.
“When I was young, I never wanted to settle, but thechoice was taken from me. I don’t want the same to happen to you.” With those words, she produced two golden chains from her miniature purse.
I glanced at Frid, not understanding what those were all about. It was clear to me that Frid knew what it was because her face turned paper white before going beet red.
“I don’t. . . think . . . that . . . any of us need those,” she stammered.
“You may not need it now, but you may need it tomorrow,” Grace added.
“What is it?” I could not help asking.
