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"So, are you going to clean yourself up and put the dress on, or are we leaving you behind?" Lex asks as she props herself up against the doorjamb. Her wig is a little crooked, but the rest of her is perfect. She's finally started to move past her body image issues and is learning to embrace herself. I'm proud of her. Last year she wouldn't be caught dead at a frat party unless she had on a baggy sweatshirt.
"What the hell smells so bad in here?" Evie walks in my room, fingers pinching her nose. She isn't wearing a costume unless she's a superhero we haven't heard of yet. "Jesus, Piper. You look like shit. Is that you I smell?"
Her voice is high pitched, but the message is clear. I need a shower.
I tell the girls to go on ahead of me and make them promise not to say anything to Julian about where I am or if I'm going to show up. I want it to be a surprise. When he sees them walking in without me, he'll draw a conclusion. Not that I want to torture him, but I also can't wait to see the look on his face when I do finally arrive.
They refuse at first until I explain how long it's going to take me to get ready and my ultimate plan. Evie volunteers to keep me company, and that's the only reason the girls agree to leave. Because Evie promises to make sure I don't back out.
I'm pretty sure Kendall thinks I'm not going to show, no matter how many times I tell them I'll be there.
What no one realizes is that I have no intentions of standing them up. I don't want to. What I want is to make an entrance he'll remember. Because this might be the start of everything.
They don't know the significance of the costume Julian sent me. Or the meaning it holds.
"What doyou want to watch tonight?" Julian's in the kitchen, making us sandwiches. I offered to help, but he refused, giving me some excuse about mayo and mustard.
"Something with action," he says as he sets down our sandwiches and takes the seat next to me on the couch, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and tucking me into his side.
I love our lazy nights together. Relaxing with no agenda. Alone. Brady's made himself scarce any time I've come over, and as much as I enjoy his company, I'm thankful. We haven't told our friends yet, aside from Lex and Micah finding out after the hospital incident. Not that I don't trust Brady; it just feels like once everyone knows, it won't be about us anymore. This won't be our special secret.
"What kind of action are we talking about?" I joke, pressing my body against his.
Julian laughs, snags the remote from my hand, and says, "Not that kind. The only woman I want to see naked is you, and unless you have some secret stash of homemade videos where you're the star and there's not another man touching you, I was thinking more along the lines of Avengers. The theme for the Halloween party this year is superheroes, and we have to decide on our costumes."
Oh, I know exactly who I want him to be...
"Thor."
"What?"
"You should go as Thor. You have the abs, the height. All you need is some long blond locks and a little bit of armor."
"I was thinking more along the lines of a couples costume. Who would you be?"
"Have you not seen any of the Thor movies?"
"Yeah, but does he really have a love interest? I mean—"
"I'd be Jane. She's simple. Brown hair, plain clothes. She tends to wear jeans, a scarf around her neck, and a jacket. I have plenty of things to choose from in my closet."
"You mean you get to look normal, and I have to wear a wig?"
"Yes, but you're going to make a sexy Thor."
I press my lips against his to silence his protest. It works, for a while. An hour later we're discussing the merits of my costume as Jane meets Thor's mother. She's draped in a gorgeous gown fit for a queen.
"You should wear that dress."
"I have a costume. It'll be fine. Plus, she only wears that dress once, and it's not for long. People won't recognize the character."
"Yes, but she looks gorgeous in that dress, and it's one of the most important parts of the movie. Thor could blame her for the death of his mother, but he doesn't. He chooses her. He chooses to let it go because his love for her is more important."
Julian's choosing me.This is his way of showing me he forgives me. That his feelings for me are more important than what I did.
I wouldn't listen to him if he'd tried to say the words. I've avoided him this week. Yet, he found a way to apologize to me without saying the words. To show me how much he cares, despite our fight.
Which is why I'm smiling at my reflection as Evie styles my hair. Why my heart feels lighter than it has in a week. And why my knee is bouncing up and down in anticipation of seeing Julian again.
