‘Lilly’s list?’ she asks, and I nod. A fraction of a second later, a radiance like a thousand suns takes over her face. ‘Okay,’ shesays, then she kisses me, just like that, right in the middle of the ER, and makes the ground beneath me shake, just like that, simply because she’s with me.
Chapter Thirty-Three
NYLA
On shaky legs, I step in front of the mirror. ‘And you’re sure you don’t need it today?’ I ask Olive, who is sitting behind me on my bed.
She shakes her head. ‘The skirt looks great on you, and for what you’re planning, it’s perfect.’
‘Yeah, it is.’ Absentmindedly, I run my hand over the soft fabric. Then I swing my hips experimentally. ‘Perfect.’
The excitement that has been bubbling inside me since yesterday, when Jaden and I made the plan for tonight, swells.
‘But you also need the right shoes.’ Olive tilts her head to the side, her brown hair falling in soft waves over her shoulder. ‘With a little heel, right?’
I reach for the long golden earrings and put them on. ‘Mhm, I think so.’
My roommate bolts upright from the bed. ‘I think I’ve got something for you,’ she says, and leaves my room.
Of course she does. When it comes to clothes, shoes, handbags, and make-up, she’s simply unbeatable. That’s probably why she comes across as a superficial fashion doll at first glance, but behind that façade is such a wonderful person.She’s generous, loving, and accommodating, and not for the first time I wonder why she thinks she has to hide that behind this flawless exterior.
While I wait for her, I turn in front of the mirror. The skirt flutters up, and I imagine what it will look like later when Jaden and I learn our first tango steps. It’s the perfect start for our joint project. I’m sure practicing the basics will involve lots of breaks so that my body can cope well with the exertion.
And Jaden?
Will he manage it too? Or will the demons he’s fighting gain the upper hand? Will we have to cut the dance lesson short, or maybe not even start it at all?
Olive sweeps through the door and presents me with a pair of strappy stilettos. ‘Try them on.’
Hesitantly, I take the shoes from her. The appliqués sparkle subtly, the seams are flawless. ‘They must have cost a fortune.’ On top of that, they look barely worn.
Olive waves it off. ‘Go on, put them on.’
I slip into them and step in front of the mirror again. ‘If I slick my hair back to the side with gel, no one would think I’m a complete beginner.’
With a proud expression, my roommate steps up beside me. In her hand I spot a hair clip in the shape of a red flower. Carefully, Olive fastens it above my left ear.
‘Now it’s perfect.’ There’s a thoughtfulness in her tone that I’ve never heard from her before.
Our eyes meet in the mirror. ‘Is everything okay?’
Her cheeks flush slightly. ‘Yes, of course, I’m fine.’
‘Maybe even better than usual?’ I ask with a grin.
‘Maybe.’ She smiles. ‘I don’t know yet.’
‘Olive McKee, is it possible that you’re in love?’ The thought makes me beam. She’s been focused only on her work for so long; she more than deserves this happiness.
Self-consciously, she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, and a quiet hum escapes her mouth that I take as agreement.
‘I’m incredibly happy for you,’ I say, pulling her into my arms.
With her arms wrapped around me, she rocks me gently back and forth. ‘It’s still far too early to be happy about it.’
She lifts her head as if something has caught her attention. ‘Your orchid is blooming, how lovely!’
I look over at the windowsill. ‘Since yesterday.’
