Page 22 of Rough Start

“I could come over and help with that,” he offered with a seductive lilt in his voice.

“Hmm, you could, but I’m not home. I went into the city. I’m trying on prom dresses thanks to a certain amazing guy I know.”

“You went into town already?” he asked with a small laugh. “You weren’t eager or anything, were you?”

“Kye, this goes without saying, but you have no idea how much that meant to me today. Despite the public humiliation, it…”—she trailed off for a moment as she slid the dress on over her head— “it meant the world to me that you came. And the whole production was so romantic.”

“It’s no less than you deserve,” he said softly. “I wanted to make everything perfect for you. You were right, what you said on the phone the other day. Eliana, you’ve had to miss out on so many things. You’ve had to be an adult when you were just a kid. God knows your dad hasn’t made things easier. The whole point of me doing what I’m doing— I just want to build a better life for you. For both of us. I want to make everything perfect for you.”

“You’re making me cry,” she admitted as she dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “You mean so much to me.”

“When are you coming back? I want to see you tonight.”

“I don’t know, probably late. It’s still a couple of hours’ drive back, and we’re stopping for dinner before we leave. Natalie swears by this restaurant her aunt worked at.”

“Damn, I really wanted to see you tonight. Getting pulled into the principal’s office for my tardiness wasn’t fun.”

“Well gee, isn’t the shoe on the other foot!” she teased. “Not so much fun when you’re the one left behind while the other is out on an adventure.”

“Very funny,” he goaded. “Seriously, I’ll wait up. I need to see you.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Have you at least found a dress yet? I was told Delilah’s was the only place worth going.” Eliana set the phone down for a moment to finish sliding up the zipper, and when she caught her own reflection, she felt a sensation overtake her that she’d never felt before.

With her hair pulled into a high ponytail, the long lines of her body were fully accentuated in the form-fitting gown. The silver sequins highlighted her porcelain complexion, and the way they sat over her waist and hips made her look more womanly than any of her stuffy sweaters ever had. Turning to peek over her shoulder, the plunging, backless dress turned her from Plain Jane into a sexy, enticing lady. Eliana felt heat rise on her chest and face as she, for the first time, admired herself.

“Hello?”

“Oh!” she cried as she picked the phone up from the bench. “Sorry, zipper got stuck?”

“I was asking if you’d found a dress yet,” Kyle repeated.

“Yeah…” she said, touching her chest where the heart-shaped neckline exposed just the right amount of cleavage. “I think I did…”

“What’s it look like?”

“I want it to be a surprise. You, uh… you won’t believe it.”

“I’m sure you’ll look amazing. Hurry home. I miss you.”

“I will. Promise.”

* * *

Eliana waved once as she stood at her front door. Natalie flashed the lights of her father’s BMW before driving off. It was early in the predawn hours, and Eliana had accidentally let her phone die, so she hurried inside toting her gown in the dry-cleaning bag and a box with her matching shoes.

She was still reeling from her incredible day. Her head felt light, and she walked on air as she moved inside. For the first time in her life, Eliana felt like a confident woman and not the scared girl she’d been most of her life. Since she could remember she’d felt desperate. Desperate for change, for an easier life, for a way out, a better grade, an escape of any kind. But today had taught her something. Kye had taught her something. Her new dress had taught her something.

Eliana was incredible. She was strong and passionate and borderline sensual in her own way. She felt so alive in her own skin she couldn’t wait for prom and to show off her new skin. Maybe this was the confidence she needed to start her new life with Kye. She wouldn’t walk into Harvard with her head hung low trying not to cause waves. No, Eliana Granville would walk into Harvard, recipient of a scholarship, with her head held high and a sway in her hips!

“Where have you been!” her father yelled. Eliana’s heart plummeted as her father shot out of the dark kitchen to grab her by the arms. “You were gone, where were you?” The wild look in his eyes made the heat rush out of her body.

“I went dress shopping. For prom. I thought you’d be working late again, or I would have called before my phone died. What’s wrong, Dad?” She’d seen her father in drunken fits before, but this bought of paranoia seemed off from his usual behavior.

“You can’t go out like that. You can’t just disappear. I need to know where you are. At all times! Do you understand me? Do you!” He was yelling and shaking her shoulders so violently she dropped her dress and shoes.

“You’re hurting me,” she said, struggling against him. When his grip tightened and she cried out, Henry stumbled backward and into the doorframe.