Bodies find my side, and it takes me only a moment to recognize my brother and friends—Asher, Griffin, Malik, Elias, and Finn. All ready to have my back, no matter what.
“Dad,” Asher scolds, his voice more threatening than I think I’ve ever heard, low with warning.
The shock in our father’s face dissipates, the unnatural, stone-cold one returning as he straightens his jacket and tie. “Get some air. You need to cool off,” he tells me.
I laugh again at the ridiculous comment, the kind of laugh that raises the hair on the back of your neck with fear.
My body is nearly vibrating with rage, and I feel Asher’s hand flatten against my chest as I try to step forward.
“You thinkIneed to cool off? Look in the mirror, youfuckinghypocrite.”
“Dean.” His voice is commanding, but I don’t obey. I’m not his dog.
“Enjoy your night, Mr. Kensington. I hope it’s as magical as you planned. Try not to look at your wife’s glass image in your office tonight. She shouldn’t have to see you like this.” I spit my words, feeling as if I could fly from the pissed-off energy coursing through me.
Ash lets me go, and I stride toward our father, pushing his shoulder and knocking him back as I continue toward the doors.
He doesn’t reiterate my name or try to stop me.
The guys start to follow me, but I wave them off.
“I’m good. I need a second alone.”
Everyone falls away, everyone but Asher. That’s how we’ve always been—at each other’s side through thick and thin.
I lead us in silence, through the doors and around to the back of the house, toward the water fountain and hedge maze.
I always love listening to the water and feeling it between my fingers, which is exactly what I need right now if I’m not going to go absolutely nuclear tonight.
Running my hands through my hair, over and over, I sigh loudly, a slight growl leaving my lips as we enter the garden and close the distance to the fountain.
“Fuck,” I curse, leaning against the tall, fifteen-foot-wide marble. “I lost it, Ash.”
He rests his arms beside mine, playing with the flowing water. “No one blames you. Although it’s nice being the well-behaved one for once.” I can hear the smile in his last statement.
“Screw off.” I laugh, feeling the tension in my body relax slightly at his joke. “I think I’ll just stay out here the rest of the night. It’s peaceful.”
“Then I’ll keep you company. Fuck the itinerary.” Ash lifts his hands, flipping off the fountain.
“Yeah,” I huff. “Fuck the itinerary!”
This is insane. An absolutely horrible, idiotic, reckless decision. One that I can’t help but to be stupidly excited about.
My reflection stares back at me in the small mirror in my room, and I barely recognize the girl I see. From the gorgeous dress to my perfect makeup, flawless manicure, and curled hair with the pastel-blue clip-ins, I look like a whole other person … but I think … I like it.
Maybe if I look like a different person, I may act like one too. Someone who holds their head up high, someone who doesn’t silence her laugh to avoid attention, someone who lets loose and enjoys themselves.
I could be a different version of myself tonight, still a genuine one, still me … but different.
I was worried about my stepmother recognizing me, but those worries have waned since my makeover. Jules and Myra took me to a salon in town, one my stepmother would never step foot in.
While they were getting me ready, a thought came to me. If I am to be Cinderella in this wicked tale, then perhaps Jules and Myra are my fairy godmothers. They might as well have a magic wand with everything they’ve done for me tonight.
After visiting The Golden Wand Salon, they snuck me back into the mansion, and I’ve been hiding out in my room since, mesmerized by the transformation.
Myra even lent me some heels, a perfect pairing to the gown, since I didn’t have anything that would suit me or the dress. Thankfully, we’re the same size.
“It’s me,” Jules calls out before opening my door. Her eyes are big and hopeful, and suddenly, I feel like I might puke. “Are you ready?”
