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It’s starting to get late, and it’s a school night, so at least that part isn’t a lie.
Shutting my bedroom door behind me, I’m careful to lock it. I lay the gift and envelope on the white comforter, staring at them both like they’re a snake that might lash out and bite my fingers.
Why, Lachlan? Why do you have to play with my heart like this?
I turn away from my bed, rummaging through the dresser for a pair of pajamas. I yank on a green pair of leggings and an old college shirt of Sage’s I snatched years ago. But when I turn back around, of course, the two items still sit on my bed waiting.
I groan, picking up the box first.
I know I don’t have it in me to hide either away in a drawer. It’ll bug me too much.
I rip off the pale pink wrapping paper, revealing the small cardboard box. I lift the lid off gingerly. On top, is a rectangular business card size note on top with Lachlan’s handwriting.
When I saw this, I knew it was you and I had to get it.
—L
Lifting the card off, I reveal the dainty necklace lying beneath.
It’s a gold wire dandelion, not the kind you make wishes on that so many others have turned into jewelry and tattoos, no this is designed to look like a true yellow dandelion, like my namesake.
I pick the chain up, looking at the wire flower that’s about the size of a dime.
“Beautiful,” I whisper to myself. Setting the box down, I fumble to attach the necklace around my neck. Once I do, it sits above the friendship one Sasha gave me. I place my hand over it protectively, closing my eyes.
After a moment, I grab the yellow envelope and open it, removing the letter inside.
Dani,
It seems lately the only way I find to communicate my thoughts and feelings properly to you is to write them down. I hope you know my feelings haven’t changed, but keeping my distance is necessary. I won’t repeat things here that you already know in regard to why, it’s pointless.
Instead, I want to say I love you. That’s the only truth in all of this that matters.
Wrong, immoral, it doesn’t matter, I can’t deny what I feel for you.
I wish we were spending our birthdays together, but we can’t. It seems as if the list of things we cannot and should not do is growing longer and longer.
But getting to know you these months, falling in love with you, I can’t bring myself to regret that. That would mean I regret you, and you, Dandelion Meadows are no one’s regret.
Happy birthday, baby. I love you.
Please, if you believe nothing else, know my love for you is real.
—Lachlan
I hold his letter against my heart, closing my eyes.
For a moment, I can pretend it’s him I’m holding.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
After some grumbling from Sage, he actually expressed—or faked—enthusiasm over me going to prom with Ansel. It might’ve been my insistence that we’re only going as friends that finally got him to stop shooting dirty looks at every mention of prom. He even forked over some money for a shared limo and my prom dress.
Shopping with Sasha had been more fun than I expected. It was only the two of us and we laughed and joked, expressing opinions on various dresses before we both decided on the one.
With my hair and makeup done I slip into my dress, luxuriating over the feel of it. It’s far more princess-y than I would’ve ever thought I’d choose, but somehow, it’s perfectly me at the same time.
It dips down, exposing more cleavage than I would normally be comfortable with, but this felt like the night to be a little more daring. Though, my brother will probably blow a gasket when he sees it. It’s fitted at my waist, before flaring out into a flowy tulle ball gown skirt. The whole thing is a champagne color, but what made it stand out to me is the pink, white, and blue flowers stitched all over the dress with green stems. The amount of flowers is thicker at the bottom, with not as many as it goes up the skirt. There are some stitched into the top and I rub my fingers over them, marveling at the exquisite detail. I’ve never owned anything like this, but I love it.
