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“Dead serious.”
“I’d love to. Thanks so much.”
She pats my arm with another smile and walks off. My head is in a daze as I return to my family and friends and tell them the good news.
They all shout and go crazy, but my eyes flit to Chloe, who gives me a wide smile. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without her.
I owe her everything.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chloe
Ava’s grandfather, Easton Knight, is having a birthday party tonight, and we’re all invited. Considering the Knights are the richest people in Edenbury, the party is sure to be extravagant. Which is why I’m standing before my closet with a huge frown. Why is it so hard to find the right dress?
I push aside dress after dress, none of them seeming good enough. It’s not every day the richest man in Edenbury has a birthday. I want to look good.
Okay, fine. There might be another reason why I want to look good. Because a certain person of the male species who I grew up with will be there, and I can’t help but imagine what it would be like if he saw me in a gorgeous dress.
“Ugh.” I shove another dress aside. “Why am I freaking out about this? It’s not like he and I…”
I don’t know. It’s been a few days since I talked with Liam at the cooking competition. He was so sweet to not blame me for burning the sauce. And the way he smiled at me after he was offered a scholarship to culinary school…
Could it be I’m ready?
“I don’t know!” I groan. “There are so many variables and…Great. Now I’m talking to myself.”
“Chloe?” Mom steps into my room. “Are you okay? I heard some groaning.”
I turn around and take her in. She’s wearing a long plum dress with a pretty belt. It’s so classy and fashionable. Dani sent it over a few days ago because Mom had nothing to wear. She asked me if I needed a dress, too, but I assured her I had enough. But now that I’m rummaging through my closet, I really have nothing to wear.
“I can’t find the perfect dress,” I complain.
She walks over and sorts through my dresses, suggesting a few. They’re all beautiful, but none of them seem perfect enough.
Mom slides her hand into mine. “Sweetie, I have a feeling that your freaking out has nothing to do with the dress but something else. Want to talk about it?”
“Um…I don’t know. I don’t know how I feel…”
“Come.” She tightens her hold on my hand and brings me to my bed, where we sit down facing each other. With a loving smile, she tucks some hair behind my ear. “I know there’s a lot going on in your life. I might seem old to you, but trust me, I remember what it was like to be your age. The only difference is that I didn’t have a mother to talk to. If you want to talk, I’m here.”
I swallow as a lump forms in my throat. “I’m sorry you didn’t have a mother to talk to. It must have been so hard.”
Mom nods. “It was. But I had Grandpa and my Musketeers. And Dad, once we got together. Still, I wish I had a mom I could be close to.”
“Mom…”
“Yeah, honey?”
“I don’t know how to feel. I wish the right answer would just flash in my mind.”
Mom chuckles. “I know what you mean. But part of life, and part of growing up, is making tough decisions. And learning from your mistakes.” She tucks more hair behind my ear. “Does this have anything to do with Liam and what happened between you guys?”
I stare at her. “You know about that?”
She laughs lightly. “I heard it through the Musketeer grapevine. I didn’t want to bring it up because I thought you would talk to me if you felt comfortable. You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I want you to know that I’m here and I would never judge you. I just want to help you navigate life.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I puff out my cheeks. “This does have to do with Liam. Boy problems, what else?” I shake my head. “I never thought I would actually be dealing with boy problems. I thought I would be single my whole life.”
