Page 122 of Fortunate Misfortune
I shouldn’t have agreed to wait for him.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I smooth out my dress for the gala. Before Mama left, she surprised me with a gown she deemed positively perfect for tonight. I had planned to wear a shade of green, but when she held up the satin, navy dress and emotion pooled in both of our eyes, I knew that dark blue would be my color for the evening. Slender straps crisscross around my neck, the asymmetrical hemline leaving one leg mostly bare and my back open and exposed.
There isn’t much more time to stress out about the letter because Shay and I are supposed to be leaving for the gala in ten minutes.
Kenneth is my date, but there are a few things he wanted to get done before and promised to meet me there. I know he’s still deciding what to do about the whole issue with his dad.
Coming to terms with the fact that the Brain Bowl could end early was easy. The information that lies inside this envelope is what’s driving me crazy.
I’m not a risk taker. Never have been, but if I’ve learned anything about Kenneth’s dilemma, it’s that my dream is worth every risk. No matter what happens tonight, I’m proud of myself.
Win or lose, I will be okay.
Winry rubs her body against my leg, purring what I assume is approval of my appearance for the evening. Bending down, I scratch between her ears and press my lips to her head. I give my reflection one last look before poking my head into the hallway.
“Shay!”
There’s no response. For someone who exclusively gets ready while blaring classical music, it’s eerily quiet on her side of the house.
I heard her while I napped. The unmistakable sound of her rummaging through my closet and dressers, likely to borrow a pair of shoes or a shirt, woke me for a moment. But now that I think about it, I haven’t heard her since I started getting ready. I assumed she was charging her social battery since we’ll be out late with our friends and every CLU athlete, celebrating the end of another great year.
My heels click noisily as I storm down the hallway to her room, but the doorbell stops me from banging on her door. Winry sprints to the front door like a dog, scratching at the gap until I yank the door open.
“I’ll get it, but hurry Shay! We’re going to bela—”
My voice shuts off at the sight before me. Standing on the porch with a bouquet of flowers in hand is Kenneth. The combination of yellow, pink, and orange is gorgeous, but I’m in awe of the man standing in front of me.
Kenneth’s eyes travel from the gold heels on my feet and up my legs, gliding across my body with adoration and desire. By the time his eyes meet mine, my heart is pounding so hard that I have to lean against the doorway to catch my breath.
“Don’t be upset with Shay. I asked her to help me surprise you.”
“You know how much I hate surprises,” I laugh.
The May sun has nothing on the warmth of his touch as he swiftly pulls me against him, dragging his fingers up my spine before snaking his hand around the back of my neck. He’s extra careful not to mess up the complex bun I spent an hour on.
“How can one person be so perfect? Brilliant. Gorgeous. Vibrant. Kind. You’re everything.”
His lips meet mine for just a moment, and he groans his displeasure when I cut our kiss short. I step back to get another good look at him. Red tufts curl slightly at the ends. Silver puzzle-shaped cufflinks add a pop of Kenneth’s nerdy and adorable personality to the ensemble. The navy suit he’s chosen for tonight looks like it was made for him, making his eyes pop like rare jewels.
Wait a minute.
“Hey!” I yell. “We agreed we weren’t doing punishments since we’re going to the gala together. Which means you’re breaking the rules by matching with me.”
He does that silly grin that makes my stomach flip before he closes the distance between us again. Snaking his arms around my waist, his lips ghost the shell of my ear. “Matching you isn’t a punishment, Eddie.Actually, it’s an honor. I get to walk in with the most gorgeous woman in the room, and she’s all mine? I call that a big win.”
He has a point, so I just laugh and pull him inside by his tie. The door clicks shut, and it takes everything in me to not drag him to my bedroom and skip the gala. Instead, I jog to my bedroom to grab my letter.
“Let’s open our envelopes before we leave!” I yell over my shoulder.
It seems heavier in my hand as I walk back into the kitchen where he waits, my finger already beneath the tab.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Nope.” He plucks it from my fingers and holds it hostage in the air.
I jump up and try to snag it, but even in three-inch heels, it’s impossible to grab. “Come on, Gray. I thought we were going to open them before the gala? If I don’t get an answer soon, my head is going to explode!”
My feeble attempt to garner sympathy fails, but his eyes do soften. “All I want is one night with my perfect girlfriend and our friends. As much as I do care about what’s in these envelopes,” he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my forehead, “I also couldn’t care less. Being with you is all I want tonight. It’s our first gala together where we aren’t trying to maul each other. It’s a special night for us.”
