Page 57 of Meet Me in the Vines
I give her a weak smile. “Aw, thanks Isabel. She really was,” I say softly.
“I was bummed to miss out on her happy hour celebration while I was out of town, but I heard it was a real hit.” I think back to my drunk self, throwing myself at Donovan, then yellingat him to go away forever. A grin tugs at the corner of my lips, thinking about where we are now compared to that night.
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun. She would’ve loved it,” I beam at her, and she mirrors me.
“Okay, now to the goods,” she squeals with excitement. She reaches down below the desk, pulling out a large white box with a silk lavender ribbon. I rest my hands on the counter and run my fingers along the silk.
“Let me just say I’ve never seen Donovan more smitten. He came in last week and I swear that man had literal hearts in his eyes. I knew you guys would get together eventually. Ugh. You two are so cute, I can’t. Anyway, here’s this too,” she rambles, causing my cheeks to flame bright pink as she hands me an envelope. I turn it over and seeMousewritten on the front. She notices my expression and gives me a soft smile.
“You should’ve seen the way he looked at you in high school, babe. It was adorable,” she drawls, waggling her eyebrows.
“Really? I never noticed,” I say softly, but curiosity gets a hold of me. “Did he ever say anything?” I feel like a giddy schoolgirl.
“Girl, you were all he ever talked about. We would sit at the lunch table and he wouldliterallystare at you from across the room,” she gushes, like we are in middle school talking about our crushes. “But look at you two now. He finally got hisdream girl, as Donovan would say,” she giggles, mocking Donovan’s tone.
“He called me that?” I blush. Isabel furrows her brow playfully and crosses her arms.
“He’s been saying it since we were freshman. I don’t blame him, though. Look at you,” she whistles, causing a fit of laughter between us.
“I’m gonna step in the back and do some inventory. Please come back and shop now that you live here. It was so great to seeyou, Audrey.” She comes around the desk and gives me a tight squeeze before rushing into the back.
I slip the envelope under the box’s silk ribbon and tuck the package under my arm for the walk back to my car. Settling into the driver’s seat, I place the box to the side and gently pry the card from the envelope.
Mouse,
I saw this in the store and thought it should belong to you. I hope you like it. Love,
D
I let out a quiet squeal and pull the box in my lap, undoing the lavender silk ribbon around it. I open the top and remove the tissue paper, revealing the most beautiful dress.
“Oh my god,” I whisper as I lift the dress by its straps, my mouth agape. It’s almost identical to the dress I wore on graduation night. A beautiful ivory fabric with thin straps and a sweetheart neckline. The straps in the back crisscross, just like I remember. I hug it to my chest and let the sweet memory of that night flood my senses.
Is this man even real?
I put the dress back in the box and make my way back to Pop’s house to get ready. I can’t wait to see Donovan’s face when he sees me in this. He picked this for me because it made him think of me. He didn’t pick it to control me or tell me what to wear. He chose this dress because he sawmein it. It’s a reminder of who the real me is. I’m beautiful. I’m spirited. I’m free.
He sees that in me, and in turn, I see it in myself.
Chapter Eighteen
DONOVAN
I’ve never been so nervous about going on a date. But this is not justanydate. This is my redemption date. The date that should’ve happened that night after graduation. The date I promised her.
Tonight, I’ll be taking Audrey for a picnic at Sunset Valley Point. I picked up burgers and fries from the Golden Grape Diner and got her a bouquet from Vintage Blossom.
I look at my phone. It’s five forty-five. I push my hair back and decide it looks good enough. She’ll probably mess it up later, anyway. She loves running her hands through my hair.
Hell, I hope she messes it up later.
“Ow, mother fu—!” I mutter to myself as I ram my knee into the bed post. A sharp stabbing pain shoots through my leg as I hobble around my room, trying to shake it off. This is nothing compared to Audrey kneeing me in the nuts, though.
Worth it.
I’m a nervous wreck. I want this night to be perfect. It’s the night that I always envisioned happening.
Can’t fuck it up, D.
