Page 128 of The Forever After Bet

“I’m going to call Peg, the manager over at Custom Costumes, and see if it’s still there,” Micah says, pulling out his phone.

She doesn’t answer, so he leaves a message.

“This is bad.” I bite my lip and twist my ring around my finger.

“We’ll find it. Worse case scenario, you wear one of Sophie’s old ones. She’s a little shorter than you, but we can make it work.” Micah puts his arms on my shoulders. “But we are going to find yours.”

I nod. “Okay.”

“I’ll call you after I talk to Peg and see what she has to say,” Micah says.

“Sounds good.” I try to smile, but it’s pathetic.

“Come on.” Ford wraps his arm around me, and we leave.

I keep telling myself that it’s only a costume and not a big deal. A costume that costs me almost five hundred dollars, and I’m not going to get to wear it.

“Hey,” Ford holds my hand, squeezing it. “Micah will find your costume.”

“I hope so. I just want this weekend to go as smoothly as possible, and there’s already a problem.”

“It’s a minor hiccup, at most.” He picks up my hand, kissing the back of it.

“You’re probably right. Are you still planning on your ski trip to Schweitzer this weekend?”

“Yep. We’re staying at my dad’s friend’s cabin.”

“I wish I could say I’m jealous, but skiing has never been my thing. I’ve been twice, and all I remember is the cold.”

“Skiing isn’t for everyone.”

“Do you want to hang out and study?” I ask.

“I’d love to.”

When we walk into the house, my dad and Beth are waiting for me in the living room. Beth looks upset about something.

“Hey,” I say, dropping my backpack on the ground. “What’s going on?”

My dad gestures to the sofa.

“Can Ford stay?” I ask.

“Yes.” My dad nods. After we sit on the sofa, my dad says, “I’m worried about you and Beth. Things were so good between the two of you when school started last fall. I felt the two of you had finally found your footing as mother and daughter. I know a lot happened. We overreacted about your relationship with Ford. We made assumptions we shouldn’t have made. It took us a while to maneuver through everything, but you and I, Hannah, found our way through it.”

“I agree.” I smile.

“I thought that would happen with you and Beth, but the two of you are drifting further apart. I feel like there is this rift in our family, and I don’t know what to do. My first instinct is to fix it, but this isn’t something I can fix. It’s something the two of you need to work through together.” My dad looks at me. “Are you willing to do that, Hannah?”

I nod. I have a lot to say, but I don’t think now is the time.

“What about you, Beth? Do you want to get back to the way things were with you and Hannah?”

“Yes, I’ve made a lot of mistakes.” Beth gives me a small smile, and I can tell it’s genuine.

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” My dad nods. “I think the best thing you two can do to mend your differences is spend time together.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” Beth says.

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