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Chapter 25
Luna
Luna smoothed down her dress for the hundredth time and turned back and forth in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom.
The room was still the same as it had been when she was in high school, including the closet, which was where she’d found the long black dress she had on.
It was just about the only thing she’d been able to find that was appropriate for the Christmas benefit, and she thanked her lucky stars she still fit into it, and that Grandma Grace had been able to have it steam cleaned on short notice. What with working at the diner and everything else, there had been zero time for shopping.
She also thanked her lucky stars that her personal style had always leaned toward classic, timeless pieces because if she tended toward trendier clothing, then wearing a ten-year-old dress bought when she was a high school student would’ve made her look a little ridiculous. As it was, though, it was simple and lovely—exactly the look she was going for.
She leaned closer to the mirror. She hadn’t been able to take all the time she wanted to for her hair and make-up. She and Connor had closed the diner a few hours early to work on the food, then had finished putting together the last batch of appetizers just as Genevieve’s volunteers had shown up to transport them.
By the time they’d finished loading the truck with all the trays, there’d barely been enough time to shower the food smell off of herself and dry her hair, let alone attempt a complicated style.
She’d done her best to look formal and put together, but given the chance, she would’ve gladly spent a few more minutes…hell, a few more hours would’ve been nice!
She breathed deep. She was being ridiculous. Again, she knew what it was about. Not looking nice for the benefit. Looking nice for Connor.
There was just something about the way he looked at her and his eyes sparked…the way his voice rasped when he said she looked beautiful. Maybe it was shallow of her, but she couldn’t help it—she was addicted! And she didn’t want a cure!
With a glance at her bedside clock, she straightened her shoulders and grabbed her small clutch. Whatever she looked like, that was what it was going to be. She was out of time.
She hurried down the hall and, as she started down the stairs, she was startled by the sound of applause and wolf whistles.
Her head snapped up. Her grandparents were there, sitting on the couch in the living room, as she expected. They were clapping, grinning, and beaming. Again, that wasn’t a surprise.
What she hadn’t expected to see was Connor standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at her and beaming.
And holding a corsage in a clear plastic clamshell case.
She stopped on the stairs and her hand flew to her mouth before she hurried the rest of the way down.
“Connor! When did you have time to get a corsage? And what are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at the venue?”
He grinned. “I got it yesterday. This is sort of like our prom, take two. So you needed a corsage. And while I didn’t rent a limo, I did bring something pretty special. Because you’re pretty special.”
She couldn’t help it, she teared up a little at his words. He took the opportunity to slip the corsage onto her wrist and then slipped her wrap over her shoulders.
She hugged and kissed her grandparents goodnight and then followed Connor out the front door and down the walk.
When she saw the car he’d brought, she gasped. Luna had known that he restored classic cars, but she hadn’t been prepared for the gorgeous mint green 1950s beauty parked on the street in front of her house.
“Connor, this is gorgeous! I swear, if Jet Valentine plays ‘Johnny B. Goode’ at the benefit tonight, it will be like we’re in Back to the Future or something.”
He slapped a palm to his forehead in mock frustration. “Oh, man! If I’d known that’s what we were going for, I would’ve brought a DeLorean.”
Riding through the streets of Valentine Bay in her fancy(ish) dress, in the incredibly special car, and with Connor behind the wheel—man, she really did feel like a princess. It was a magical night.
She glanced down at her feet to make sure her shoes hadn’t suddenly transformed into glass slippers. But, no, they were still the black suede pumps she’d worn to high school graduation.
Walking into the event venue, which was the ballroom at the resort that Genevieve worked at as an event coordinator, was an experience Luna knew she would never forget.
Ella had really outdone herself creating a winter wonderland. There were fairy lights strung from just about every surface, white birch trees placed among stark white chairs and tables. All of the serving staff were dressed all in white.
Most of all, though, it just seemed that everything sparkled. Like glitter had been strewn about and lent a sheen to every surface.
“Wow,” Luna breathed. “This is incredible.”
