Page 40 of Stealing It
I bite my tongue. Is the sex good? Does her whole body tingle when he kisses her? Does she miss him? None of that matters. It’s obvious she’s chosen what she wants in life. Would that change if she knew that out there somewhere in the world was a man who would turn her life upside down? Make her feel things she didn’t know were possible? Or is that too much of a risk? Having something so meaningful to only lose it. Having the rest of your life missing what you once had. I nod in agreeance and we enter the beauty shop.
I can’t remember the last time I styled my hair so when the young girl spins me around in my chair to face the mirror it takes a beat or two to adjust to my reflection. My brown hair is blown and curled at the ends and my face has a smooth layer of makeup that brings out my blue eyes. “Thanks, it looks great,” I say, fingering my hair.
“You look like a total babe,” Jenny says, paying Betsy. I hand her cash so she can pay for mine too. “What are you going to wear?”
I shrug.
“You haven’t picked something out yet?”
“I spent so much time trying to find Kendall a dress. She’s the one on the Princess Court. What I wear isn’t important. No one is going to be looking at me.”
Betsy tsks me. “That’s the wrong attitude to take, honey. Men are always looking. It just might be the night the right man looks your way.”
Sighing, I agree even if I don’t believe it for a second. Jenny covers a laugh with a cough and we leave for my house. Juliet and Kendall are waiting for a ride when we pull in. Both girls are in their sparkly gowns with painted faces and hair falling in curls. They look older than they actually are and my heart skips a beat. Kendall as a woman is something to behold. An adult man would be blind to not find her attractive, regardless of her innocence and her barely underage status. I close my eyes and try to shut out my accusations.
“You look beautiful, sweetie,” I say. I dropped her off at home after school and she’s been getting ready ever since. “I love your makeup and hair. The dress looks perfect.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Kendall squeals. “Juliet helped with my makeup. Do you think it’s too much?”
A wistful smile forces its way to my lips. “It’s perfect.”
“You look so pretty, too,” Kendall says, her smile falling. Her gaze darts to Jenny. “You guys have hot dates tonight?”
Jenny laughs. “Just trying to bring up her spirits, Kendall. Your mom is my hot date. What do you say, Magnolia? You coming home with me tonight? A sleepover? All night?”
“Ew, Mom, that’s disgusting,” Juliet says, wincing. “We need to go. We’re supposed to be there early to get our jobs for the fundraiser. They’re going to auction the Princess Court for ice cream dates! I hope one of the hot guys buys my date.” Jenny perches her hands on her hips and glares at her daughter.
I was so caught up in Juliet that I didn’t see Kendall staring at me, hard. Studying me like a textbook she needs to memorize. “Are your spirits down?” Kendall asks, quietly, leading me to the car by my elbow.
“No sweetie, Jenny was just being Jenny. Nothing is wrong,” I reply. “I promise,” I say, meeting her crystal blue gaze the same as my own.
“You’d tell me if you were upset, right? About Aidan and everything that happened?” she says, and her eyes do that thing they used to do. The haunt. The memories flooding in, no doubt. “You’ve seemed so happy.”
I lay a hand on her cheek lightly, careful not to disturb her makeup. “I am happy.” I smile, but I’m sure she notices it doesn’t reach my eyes.
Kendall nods. This was my time to bring it up. To ask her again about Aidan’s story and if there’s anything she has to tell me, but I’m a chicken, too scared to rock the boat of Kendall’s delicate stability.
Jenny drives the girls to the school while I waft through my closet half-heartedly. Jeans. I should wear jeans and a t-shirt and call it a day. At least my head looks pretty. The rest of me can be comfortable to even it out. My fingers land on the delicate blue dress I’ve never worn. I hold it out, look at the tags that are still attached and decide to at least try it on.
It was game over when Jenny got back to pick me up and I was wearing the dress. She insisted I wear it. It’s loose, but it also exposes small sections of skin. It’s not too scandalous yet still comfortable so I agree, and we leave.
We walk into the town hall, a big white building that has changed very little over the decades. The interior is already filled with music and laughter when we enter. There are vendors set up, a band is playing low on the stage as waiters and busboys ready the tables for the fundraiser dinner. Jenny and I bought our seats as soon as they went on sale. The organizers chose where you will sit. We find our table cards and make our way through the bodies to the cash bar.
I can smell dinner from the nearby kitchens as I tell the bartender to go heavy on the vodka in my mixed drink. When Jenny gives me a look I say, “You’re my date tonight, right? You’re sleeping with me. The least you can do is drive me home first.” The guy pouring the drink looks uncomfortable as he hands me my drink. I pay him and throw a bill in his tip jar and grin at my friend as I turn from the bar.
That’s when I see the uniforms. I’ve never seen so many of them together. A sea of black suits with ribbons littering their chests. They’ve taken over two of the tables in the large dining hall, their voices loud and boisterous as they talk to each other and survey the room around them, smiles wide and presence demanding. They’re striking and realization dawns. He’s here.
“Fuck,” I whisper under my breath. Jenny comes up beside me and links her arm with mine. “Did you know they were going to be here tonight? Don’t lie.” My voice shakes.
“I didn’t know for sure, but come on Magnolia this is a small town. You don’t think the Mayor would want to show them off given the chance? The SEALs in Bronze Bay are like his prized pony.” She clears her throat. “I assumed they would be here, though.”
“Thanks for reminding me about this earlier. I appreciate it.”
She shrugs and pulls us toward our table, but I can’t keep my gaze from wandering—from seeking Aidan out. “We’re going to have a good dinner and then we will go home and the high school benefits from it. You know how badly they need the new gymnasium.” Jenny is trying to distract me by giving facts.
“This is awful,” I say, taking a large draw out of my drink and coughing when I taste the strong vodka. “I can’t stay here. I’ve been good at avoiding him this long, there’s no reason that can’t continue.”
Juliet bounds up to us. “Can I have some money?” she asks her mom.
