Page 8 of Becoming Cinderella

“I’ll help you turn your life into your own romantic comedy. Turn you into the leading lady you don’t seem to believe you are. You’ll have that boy eating out of your hand soon enough.”

I bring my Dr. Pepper up for a sip but pause as the can touches my lips. If he had said that five seconds later I’m sure I would have spit it all over him. I push myself off my hood so I’m more at eye level with him. Liam Taylor wants to help me with Jared? Did I hit my head when I was helping him escape and this is all a dream?

“In return you help me with my dance scene. Prince Charming and Cinderella do the waltz at the ball and well, I might have oversold my dancing abilities to help land the part.” He rubs a hand at the back of his neck as he fixes his gaze at his feet.

“Oversold? By how much?” I’m trying not to get my hopes up at his words, because none of this seems real. It all seems too good to be actually happening.

He teeters on his feet. “I’m not sure I can even clap on beat. I don’t know how I’m supposed to twirl and woo a princess on the dance floor.”

I’m sure there isn’t anything Liam can’t do to perfection. And let’s say he really is as bad at dancing as he claims to be, am I that confident in my teaching abilities to help him prepare? I mean, it’s one thing when I teach my seven and eight-year-olds whose parents only ever see their dancing. But when it comes to a celebrity preparing for a blockbuster hit? I’m not so sure.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know.” Jared tells me he likes Penn and now Liam Taylor is propositioning me into a deal? This is too much, too fast. Am I having a fever dream? I touch the back of my hand to my forehead to test it.

“You alright?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Come on, you said the compliment went well. There’s hope there Carter. Do you want to live your life always wondering what could have been if you hadn’t been afraid of rejection?”

I narrow my eyes in concentration. I never told him it was fear of rejection that was holding me back. Was I that easy to read or did he assume that must have been the reason? The rejection and possibility of losing Jared as a friend if things became awkward were definitely holding me back. I guess Liam has a point. I do want to fight. I can’t just give up. This crush is my personal addiction after all.

“Sooooo,” Liam leans towards me. “Does this mean we have a deal?”

“You must really have oversold your dancing abilities.” Not only would future Carter be mad at me if I turned this down, but I really think Liam can help me with Jared.

Wow. Liam Taylor is going to help me win over my crush. Penn really isn’t going to believe this. I give Liam a smile, extending my hand.

“We have a deal.”

Chapter Three

I call Penn on my way to her house. Liam is following me in his rental car since I somehow invited him to join us for Taco Tuesday, a weekly tradition for Penn and I.

“Hey, so I’m kind of bringing someone.” I say in way of greeting once she picks up. “I’m just warning you now. I need you to be calm, okay?”

“Why do I need to be calm? Are you bringing Jared?” She asks hopefully.

“Not this time.” Which reminds me that Jared’s still waiting for me to tell her he likes her. “I promise I will explain everything to you later.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Explain what?”

I pull up to her house, parking in front of her yard. Liam’s headlights come up behind me as I turn off my car.

“Okay I’m here. Remember, don’t freak out when you meet him.” I don’t wait for her to respond as I hang up and climb out of my car.

Liam is closing his car door as he glances up at Penn’s house.

“Is this your house?”

“No, it’s my best friends.” I grab a bag of tortilla chips from my backseat before locking my car.

Recognition crosses his face. “The one the boy you like, likes? What’s his name again? Jonathan?”

“Jared. And you’re correct, this is her, the one and only. Penn’s family is from Puerto Rico and have taught us how to make the best tacos.” We head up the sidewalk towards the front door. “I didn’t exactly tell her who I was bringing, so she might freak out.” I warn him while silently praying that she doesn’t.

“Define might?” He asks as Penn throws open the door and I swear stops breathing.

Her jaw drops and I reach forward and close it for her.

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