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“That’s all it is,” Tabitha said warmly. “It’s just noise. You’re young, you all are, and this past week has surely shown how quickly things can change. You want my advice? Enjoy your youth, put stock in the fun risks, and take a chance. Take it from an old gal like me, don’t let your only excitement become thwacking someone with a skillet.”
“Tabitha!” I chuckled and clutched at her hand as she turned back to the dressing table. “You’re wonderful. I was so sure you hated me when I first met you though.”
“Hated? Oh dear, no.” Tabitha reached for a deep red lipstick and held it aloft as she turned back. “I was protective. I still am. Now pout for me.”
I obeyed.
“I see all of them as my sons, as much as I probably shouldn’t. I watched Luke crumble under Flora, I watched Theo fight for Kane, and Jax face hurdle after hurdle with that awful woman. I didn’t want to see any of them hurt again, and I could tell right from the start how they all had their eye on you. I just wanted to make sure you were a good egg.” She applied the color swiftly, only pausing to add a lighter red in the middle of my lips and blend it together with a swipe of a finger.
“Did I pass?” I asked softly, looking up at her.
Tabitha lightly cupped my chin. “Summer, you saved my boys and my grandkids. I’m gonna put you in my will!”
Emotion surged up like a wave, and I rose quickly, pulling Tabitha into a warm, solid hug. She squeaked in surprise, then chuckled and gently patted my back.
“Thank you,” I said, my words thick.
“Don’t you dare cry and ruin my work!” Tabitha scolded good-naturedly. “But, of course. Now, hurry along and get dressed, we don’t want to be late!”
Breaking the hug, Tabitha patted my arm and then stepped through to join the children, leaving me to my thoughts.
My dress hung against the closet door, flittering through the garment bag. I approached and unzipped it, once again amazed by the beauty of the gown. Tabitha had picked it out for me; a silver cocktail dress dripping in glitter and rhinestones with a silver fringe along the skirt and a corset bodice with a plunging neckline.
It was a stunning gown and undoubtedly too good for someone like me. Still, I couldn’t resist. Looking like a princess for a night was every girl’s dream.
Slipping into the dress, I paired it with some black heels, a black choker to hide the scratch left by Felix’s knife, and a black clutch. Admiring myself in the mirror, complete with Tabitha’s dark eye makeup and deep red lips, I barely recognized myself.
Was this what I looked like, finally free of Felix?
It was a good look.
I turned and grabbed my phone from the bedside table, but as I was about to slot it into my purse, it lit up with a text message that delivered the most unexpected yet incredibly welcome news. My heart soared, and I scarcely could contain the excited giggle that burst from my chest as I read the message repeatedly, then slipped my phone into my clutch and took a steadying breath.
Tonight just gotevenbetter.
I glanced in the mirror one last time to check the hold on my curls, then stepped into the next room unable to keep the beaming smile from my face.
“Summer!” Bonnie, dressed in a glittery ball gown complete with a silver wand and tiara, came sprinting toward me with her curls flying and her eyes wide. “We look like princesses!”
“Yes sweetie, we do!” I crouched down carefully and planted a delicate kiss on the top of her head. Kane was by Tabitha getting the final tweaks to his Batman symbol-shaped bow tie, dressed in a smart little suit, while Ava stood nearby swinging her little basket and dressed in her fuzzy onesie pajamas.
I had overheard the solid argument Ava had given Luke about her desire to wear that tonight and Luke simply could not resist his daughter. Or me. Ever since Felix had burst in here, whatever apprehension Luke had about me appeared to have faded away, and I couldn’t be more relieved.
“Ava,” I called softly, “are you ready to go? Anything else you want to take with you?”
“Nope!” Ava smacked her lips together, popping the P as she continued to swing her basket. “I just wanna eat all the cake.”
“Who said there would be cake?” Tabitha asked, patting Kane’s shoulders.
“I saw!” Ava declared. “Uncle Jax had it on his phone, I saw! It’s a birthday cake!”
“That it is,” I grinned, scooping Bonnie into my arms when she tugged softly on the edge of my skirt. “It’s Helix’s birthday, which is…”
“Safety and security,” Kane recited dramatically. “Because my dad is basically Batman.”
“He really is,” I teased. “I’ve seen the suit.”
“What?!” Kane’s eyes went wide and his mouth agape. “Really?!”
