“You have plans tonight.”
“No, Ihadplans tonight. Now I have new ones.”
“No.” Faye points at me, her tone serious. “You are going to that party.”
“I can’t. You heard Vienna.”
“Listen, Ella.” She emits a long, deep breath. “You deserve some fun for once. I’ll take care of this stuff for you tonight, and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I sigh, debating my choices. Don’t get me wrong, I do want tofinallymeet my SoloSurfer, but I also don’t want to piss off my remaining family and make matters worse for myself.
“Well, even if I want to go, I don’t have anything to wear. For some reason, I don’t think an overworked snack bar girl will work for tonight.”
“Hm,” she says, cradling her chin in her hand. “You could find something in our pro shop.”
“I really don’t want to go as an ice skater or hockey player tonight.” I need a break from this place, even if it’s for a few hours.
“You could go as a ghost!” Harry says, walking over from the pro shop.
“What are you still doing here?” I ask. Usually, he leaves before now.
He shrugs in response. “Just working late. Those skates won’t sharpen themselves.”
“I don’t really want to wear a sheet tonight.” I let out a long sigh. “Maybe I should just forget it. It’s not meant to be.”
“Not with that attitude!” Faye points at me, and then her eyes light up. “I’ve got it! Come with me!”
I follow her out of the rink and over to her SUV in the dark parking lot. She unlocks her vehicle, opens the door, and pulls out a long, black garment bag.
“I almost forgot I had this in my car,” she says, handing it over to me.
“What is it?”
“Let’s go inside, and I’ll show you.”
We rush back into the building and head directly to the women’s locker room, the familiar scent of sweat and cleanerlingering through the air. She hooks the long bag onto one of the hangers.
“So, my daughter was in a wedding last month, and I told her I’d get this dry-cleaned for her. Which I did, but I haven’t seen her since I picked it back up.” Faye unzips the garment bag, and I gasp at the sight of it.
The dress is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s floor-length in a soft pale blue color with a form-fitting bodice and a huge skirt. Intricate beading is sewn through the dress.
“This was a bridesmaid’s dress?” I raise an eyebrow and stare at Faye. I can’t believe any bride would approve of this dress. It’s absolutely gorgeous and would overshadow any bride on her special day.
She shrugs. “It was princess-themed, and if you think this dress is a beauty, wait until you see her friend’s bridal gown. I’ll show you a picture tomorrow. The train.” She whistles.
“Haven’t seen anything quite like it.”
“I haven’t seen anything like this one.” I casually trail my fingers over the silk. “But what would I go as? A desperate bridesmaid?”
“No.” Her eyes cross. “Cinderella, of course!”
“Cinderella?”
“Cinderella!”
“Oh, I can’t,” I say, my fingers still stroking the gown.
“You can.”
