Page 43 of Lucky 22

I’ve never had anyone hang up on me so fast in my life.

Jim’s a good guy. A good friend. And really, I wanted us to stayfriends. But when he started talking about wishing he were taking me to theparty, it felt a little uncomfortable. I was trying to tell him aboutChristian, but I guess he’ll find out tonight.

I handled the situation like an adult, and hopefully, we canall celebrate at the party without anything being too awkward.

At least that’s my hope.

Christian is picking Jen and me up at six so we can go overto Freya’s to finish decorating. I’m so excited that he’s back from Tempe andwill complete the rest of his physical therapy in Anaheim. It’s so much easierfor us to see each other when he’s only forty-five minutes away instead of asix-hour drive or a ninety-minute flight.

I have my outfit ready—my favorite faded jeans, a new,hot-pink sequined top, and hot-pink sandals. Earlier, I went for a mani-pedi,so even my nails are pink and sparkly. Freya and I are going to wear matchingtiaras, and we’re leaning heavily into an ’80s theme for the party. So, really,I’ll fit right in. I tried to convince her to wear a sequined top, too, but shesaid she wasn’t feeling sparkly. Which is a shame because we would have lookedamazing.

At least we have the tiaras.

Jen and I each take our turn in the bathroom, doing our bestto stay out of each other’s way. When Christian rings our doorbell promptly atsix, I am just putting on my lipstick.

“I’ll get it!” I awkwardly call out before quickly blottingmy lips. I’m still barefoot, but I don’t care. I run to the door and nearlyyank it open in my haste to see him. “Hey! You’re here!”

Before I even know what I’m doing, I’m jumping into his armsand kissing him. We’re both kissing and laughing and carefully maneuveringthrough the doorway. I kick the door closed and go back to kissing him. When hefinally puts me down, I just look at him because I’m so happy to see his face.

Which currently has a lot of my lipstick on it.

“Hey, Ella Rose,” he says in that sweet voice, and I swearhe’s blushing a little. “You didn’t really give me a chance to greet youproperly.”

“Sorry about that.”

But I’m not.

“I’m just so excited that you’re back.”

“It was only two and a half weeks, and we talked every day,”he reminds me with a wink.

“True, but it’s not the same as you being here in person.”

“Hey, Christian,” Jen calls out from the other room.

“Hey, Jen.” Then his attention’s back on me, and he gives mea very thorough look. “You look beautiful.”

Now, I’m the one blushing. “Thank you. I just need to put onmy sandals. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right out.” I’m halfway to myroom when I stop and grab a handful of napkins and race back to him. “Here.Sorry about all the lipstick.”

But then I kiss him one more time. Because I can.

Jen and I pass each other in the hallway, and she assures methat she is ready to go. In my room, I slip on my shoes and grab my pursebefore checking my reflection again.

You look beautiful.

I can’t help but study myself and try to see what Christiandoes. I don’t ever see beautiful because being an actress in Hollywoodcan really destroy your confidence. Agents, casting directors,producers…sometimes, it feels like they aren’t even considering the fact that Iam a person with feelings. They critique everything about me. I am too short,not thin enough, not pretty enough. Gosh, if I had a dollar for every time acasting director said I wasn’t “Hollywood pretty,” I would be the richestactress in LA.

It was enough to make me feel like maybe I shouldn’t bewalking the runway in elegant dresses and instead be hidden away in a belltower like Quasimodo.

“Don’t you listen to them, Ella,” Mom would always say.“You are so much more than a pretty face.”

“But they just said I didn’t have a pretty face.”

“You are a naturally pretty girl. You’re the girl nextdoor. Someone everyone can relate to. And that’s better than being someone whoneeds all that hair and makeup to make them pretty. Remember, beauty fades.It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

I love my mother, and I love how she always has words ofencouragement at the ready. Sometimes, it’s just hard to hear negative thingssaid about me.

Especially right to my face.