Page 49 of Lucky 22

“Okay, what are you wearing tonight?” she asks. “Are youdressing up? Going more casual? A dress? Jeans? I bought a little black dressthat I can accessorize in a bunch of different ways.”

“I was thinking of the turquoise dress and pairing it with adenim jacket.” It’s really all just coming to mind now. I’ve been so wrapped upin traveling and the holidays that I haven’t even considered what to weartonight. Ugh.

“That one is super cute. We’ll do your hair with some softcurls, and maybe we can find a clip or headband to go with the dress.” Shepauses and thinks for a moment. “Ooh! I have something that will workperfectly.”

And then she’s running from the room while I relax andfinish my tea. I know that whatever she finds and decides to do will befabulous. I consider making myself a second cup of tea as I pop the last sweetbite of cinnamon roll into my mouth.

My relaxation is cut short, however, when she calls out tome from her room. That’s when I know I’ll have to start getting ready andmaking wardrobe decisions sooner rather than later.

Good thing I know she only has my best interests at heart.

“Christian is going to love this,” she gushes as she pullsout some hair clips, purses, and costume jewelry.

I still wish I were sitting with my feet up and sipping asecond cup of tea, but this is fun, too.

“I have to go and help a few clients with their hair andmakeup, and I’ll be out of here around four, so I’ll meet you guys at theparty. What time is Christian picking you up?” she asks.

“The party doesn’t start until eight, but we’re going tograb an early dinner first, so he’ll be here at six.”

“Ooh, where are you going? Someplace fabulous?”

I shake my head. “Well, I wouldn’t say fabulous, but I thinkour apartment is pretty darn cute.”

Pausing, she stares at me. “You’re eating…here?”

“Yup.”

“Why?”

Shrugging, I experiment with a headband as I look at myselfin the mirror. “Because we wanted to have a pizza date before the party.There’s going to be food there, but we were both talking about how we were inthe mood for pizza.”

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you guys areadorkable.”

We are, and I am here for it.

The party is at our friend Will’s place. He shares amassive, top-floor loft in the city with two other actors in the industry, andit is the perfect party space.

It’s also decorated nicer than some movie sets I’ve been on.

Fairy lights are looped across the apartment ceiling,casting a warm glow over the crowd of friends crammed into every corner. Thereare streamers and signs everywhere you look, and the party vibe is palpable.Someone set up a countdown clock on the TV, and the music pulses, low andsteady.

Christian has met and hung out with my friends enough timesto know them, and he is comfortable talking to them without me at his side.Right now, I’m chatting with Will, and he’s standing across the room, chattingwith a group of people—some I know, others are unfamiliar—but when he turns hishead and catches me watching, he smiles, and I’m mesmerized.

“I’m so happy for you, Ella,” Will says. “You’ve found yourPrince Charming.”

“I still can’t believe it. I never would have predictedthis; it’s truly fate. My mom always said that when you met the oneyou’d just know, and she was right.”

“And the fact that you had your first date on your goldenbirthday, and he’s number twenty-two? You are living a real-life fairy tale,”Will marvels. “I’m beginning to think that I’m destined to be alone for therest of my life because every guy who enters my story turns out to be avillain.”

“Don’t worry, Will, your Prince Charming is out there, andhe’ll find you. Don’t give up on love.” I give Will the biggest reassuring hugbefore he runs off to start passing out champagne for the midnight toast.

My gaze goes right back to Christian. I begin to think ofevery small thing that has led to this moment: our first date, the moviepremiere, meeting each other’s families over the holidays, the quiet drives,the laughter, the singing, and just knowing how it’s only the beginning. Thisnew year holds so much potential, and I almost can’t wait for midnight so itcan start.

I can tell he’s wrapping his conversation, and his blue eyesare on me as he makes his way over, weaving through the partygoers. Everythingelse blurs around him. He stops at the bar and asks for two drinks. It’sgetting close to midnight, so I know he’s getting something for us to toastwith. We’re not drinkers, and my friends know that, so there’s sparkling ciderespecially for us. Drinks in hand, he continues his way across the room. Whenhe gets to me, his gaze is soft and tender.

“Are you having a good time, Ella Rose?” he asks, his voicelow and close to my ear, as he places a glass in my hand.

I lean in, smiling, trying to position my body perfectlyinto his. “I am.” I turn my head so I’m speaking close to his ear. The music’sloud enough that we almost have to shout to be heard, but in our own littlepocket of the party, it feels like an intimate conversation.