A silent battle plays out on her expressive face before her chin firms. She walks around my desk and places a quick peck on my cheek.
Her sweet scent fills me head, and the touch of her lips is fleeting but achingly sweet. Surprise then pleasure unfurls in my heart, and I smile.
“That’s better,” she says with satisfaction. “No more gloominess.”
She noticed.I thought I was subtler than that.
I start to reach for her, but she takes a quick step back, wagging a finger at me, and makes her exit.
I sigh and put my fingers over the spot on my cheek. There’s a tingling warmth that commands my attention and leaves no room for the earlier apprehension.
Mom said that I’m the most like her.She’s wrong. I am a fucking Huxley, and I’m nothing like her.
Chapter Forty-Two
Ailee
I never quite understood why people spent so much money on private jets until now. Josh’s plane is incredible. It has a separate bedroom, a shower, plus a vanity and a small closet where you can hang your clothes. The shower has the same set of toiletries as the ones at home, only in mini bottles.
Earlier, I might’ve fretted that we were from two separate worlds, but now I shove away the thought. After all, we’ve tentatively agreed to let our relationship run its natural course. Regardless of where we actually end up, I don’t want to stew in doubt and have regrets in the future.
Enjoy the moment. Trust in yourself—and Josh, too. Trust that things will work out.
The flight from Los Angeles to San Diego is too short for a nap, but the seats are wide and plush, the leather buttery soft under my skin. I look around once again at the sparkling ivory interior with dark sage accents, taking it all in. Josh slips a fat grape between my lips. I chew automatically, savoring the sweetness bursting in my mouth.
“I’ve never traveled this fancy before in my life,” I say.
He looks at me indulgently. “Get used to it. This is how you travel now.”
I smile, then stretch my legs in front of me. “Love it that the tips of my toes touch nothing.”
He laughs.
“I’m ready for tonight. Packed a couple of dresses and makeup.”
“For what?” he asks in genuine confusion.
“So I look pretty. I’m going to need to freshen up.” He gives me an odd look, but before he can say anything, I add, “I even listened to some famous arias and overtures fromFidelio.”
He smiles. “There’s no pop quiz at the end of the concert.”
“It was for my own edification,” I say primly. “Are Ares and Lareina coming?”
“No. She’s too busy prepping for her next art exhibition, so he’s skipping this one. To make up for it, she promised to donate a piece to the Pryce Family Foundation for their next charity auction,” Josh explains. “And Fiona and Bryce won’t be joining us, for obvious reasons.”
“She’s still nauseated.” I sigh in sympathy. “At least she’s okay in the morning.”
She whined through a group text:Why is morning sickness called morning sickness, even though I only want to throw up in the afternoon and evening now?
Lareina had the most lawyer’s-spouse-like response:You can start calling it non-morning sickness. It’s not like the name is legally protected with a trademark or anything.
“Once we land, a team Lareina organized will come and help you get ready for this evening’s performance. Something about hair and a facial and…stuff.” Josh makes a vague gesture.
I gaze at him with a hint of hesitation. Ever since she started modeling, Katt has spent hours and hours to get ready for fancy events. One time I asked Mom about getting my hair done with Katt’s stylist for the senior prom, and she laughed in disbelief. “Why bother? You’ll never look that pretty even if you invest twice the energy and time.”
That stung—probably more than it should have, given that I was just a teenager. I never asked again and managed to do whatI could for myself. The idea of having a team of professionals to make me beautiful for the evening is exciting, but part of me is also afraid of being disappointed.
Don’t let her ruin it for you,I tell myself, refusing to let my doubts destroy the joy of being dolled up. I want to be beautiful on his arm, and like magic, Josh has arranged to make it happen with Lareina.
