“Too sleepy.”
He grinned and mentally patted himself on the back. He had no interest in watching a romcom with Katherine Heigl. Score one for the win!
“I have a question.”
“You do?” She sounded a little more alert.
“Wanna go to prom with me?”
Chapter 10
Clare
“Where is this prom?” Cat cocked a brow, planting both hands on her hips in the doorway to Clare’s bedroom. She sat in front of her vanity, carefully applying makeup and hoping that the hot rollers in her hair would be enough to give her the warm, loose curls she was aiming for.
“At Pippa’s community center.” She swept her eyeshadow applicator across her lid, and at Cat’s creased forehead, she continued. “Near the women’s shelter. It’s a fundraiser.”
Catriona waggled her finger at Clare. “I know what happens after prom, Mom. I hope you’re careful.” She folded her arms. “I probably have a condom in my wallet if you need one.”
Clare groaned. “You’re really giving me a safe sex talk? I’m literally a walking advertisement for safe sex. I got pregnant the first time I had—”
“Lalalalalalalalalalalaaaaaaaaa!” Catriona jammed her fingers in her ears and smushed her eyes shut.
Clare shrugged. “You started it.”
Cat flopped down onto the bed. “What are you wearing?”
She finished the flick of her liquid eyeliner, turning her head to make sure the wing was symmetrical on both sides before jerking her head at the closet. “It’s hanging in there. Not sure I’m brave enough though. I have a backup.”
Catriona jerked open the door and gasped, stepping back and clutching her chest with both hands. “Mom. This… Wow. This is stunning. Where’d you get it from?”
She wiggled her head from side to side. “Truthfully? From your grandmother. It’s an authentic 70’s prom dress.”
“She wore that to her prom? Holy shit! Trailblazer.” She picked up the shimmering gold fabric and let it slide through her hand. “It’s so pretty. I’m surprised she was allowed out of the house in that.”
“I don’t think she was. I think her and some friends changed on the way there.”
The gown was a floor length, dazzling gold dress with a mid-thigh split. A simple band across the middle broke up the monotony of the dress, jazzing up the plain fabric, and it had a v-cut bodice with thin straps. She paired it with triple loop gold sandals, and gold accessories.
It was a lot of gold.
“You don’t think it’s… I dunno…too much? Too young? Too shiny…or something?”
Cat folded her arms and tapped a finger on her chin before nodding. Clare’s stomach dropped.
“I think you’re too freakin’ hard on yourself, Mom. It’s perfect.”
With a smile, Clare bounced up from her chair and embraced her daughter. “Let’s see how it looks on, what do you say?”
Catriona nibbled on her bottom lip.
“What is it? Are you okay?”
“Other than being totally jelly no one asked me to prom?” She worked her lip again. “I’m really happy for you, Mom. I haven’t seen you light up like this…well…maybe ever. You deserve to be happy.”
A lump sprung into Clare’s throat, and she tipped her head back to blink away the tears. “I can’t ruin my makeup,” she rasped while fanning both her eyes.
“Let’s get Cinderella ready for the ball.” Cat unzipped the dress, slid it from the hanger, and held it out for Clare to slip into.
