“Well… um… I just wanted to apologize.”
“There’s no need. It’s easy to get caught up in gossip.” Mira smiled.
Wyatt remained mute. Mira deserved a better apology. The way she forgave, so easily and without condition, warmed his heart and doubled the love he’d already professed.
“Thanks, Julie,” Wyatt said as she slipped away. He kissed the top of Mira’s forehead. “That was sweet of you.”
“You know? You should consider going out with her when I leave.”
Wyatt’s jaw dropped. Rather than risk an emotional outburst, he opted for his best weapon and laid his lips against hers.
“To quote Stuart: Get a room.” Mr. Miter stepped toward them.
“Oops.” Wyatt pulled himself to just within the school rule’s minimal required separation distance.
Mira leaned back in and giggled into his chest, covering her face with her hands. She hid what he expected would be the blush of the century.
“The school will be locked in fifteen minutes. Have you more to do before tomorrow’s festivities?” Mr. Miter asked.
“No, sir.”
“Great. Then I suggest you take Mira and head out.” Mr. Miter circled his hands forward as if to push them.
“Yes, sir.” As Wyatt turned to walk away, he leaned back toward Mira, stole another kiss for spite and whispered, “Let’s get outta here.”
Tucked in his metallic blue Celica, one hand on the wheel, he entwined his fingers with those he never wanted to let go.
His plan to tag along-to live in her life in New Zealand-would require he convince his Mom he’d come back. Otherwise, she’d tie him to a chair.
Wyatt shrugged. He’d be eighteen in two days. She wouldn’t have any say.
Blanketed in color, Charley’s room resembled the backstage of a fashion show. She and Lily had shopped at a dozen stores and bought an equal number of dresses-for each of them. Their purchases lay draped across every surface in multiple layers.
“Which one?” Charley let her hands fall into her lap as she and Lily sat among the many folds, rainbows and fluff.
“I still like the blue one.” Lily sighed, letting her head drop. “I don’t know, Charley.”
Purples and blues flew into the air and dropped like petals off a flower.
“Which one did you pick?” Charley hoped if Lily made a choice, she could do the same.
Lily rose, pivoted on her heel and pointed. “I’m going with the red one. There! I’ve chosen! I’m going red.” She marched to the dress. Two hands gripped the seams. She ran her fingers down the sides before she reached for the hanger, draped it over her head and turned to the full-length mirror. “This is it. I am so done.”
Uncertainty continued to reign for Charley. When it came to Wyatt, she seemed unable to think through the simplest of questions or make the easiest decisions. He knotted her, figuratively, from head to toe. At one point, she thought her stomach housed literal butterflies, and she still shivered every time he touched her-from a feather- light brush to the firmness of his hand on her arm.
She loved it, and yet she’d vowed to give it all up within twelve hours.
“Charley?” Lily’s fingers snapped.
Charley returned to the moment. “Sorry. Off in la-la land. Wha’dya say?”
“Which one?” Hands on hips, her most favorite mom-stance, Lily waited.
“Blue. I’ll go with blue.”
“Which blue?” Lily’s hair flew into the air with an overdramatic sigh and fell back against her face.
Charley blew out a breath. Why had they bought so many blue dresses? Why couldn’t she have chosen one and been done with it? “That one.” She pointed in the direction of a halter-top silk wrap which would take some work to get into.
“You would pick that one.” Lily waved her hands. “That’s the first one you tried on!”
“Sorry.” Charley hid the smile that snuck its way into her cheeks.
The dress had been the first, and while she’d thought it perfect, she’d wanted more of the treasure-hunt experience-like the search for a good book at a store. The effort played a part in the enjoyment.
“Okay. Hair, makeup!” Lily’s bark bit the air.
Charley jumped to her feet. “Yes, ma’am.” Her salute sent Lily into a fit of giggles.
They whirled into the bathroom together and stared into the expanse of mirror that showed off every detail of their faces.
Charley opted for natural curls, hair down. She let the tendrils hang as they’d cover her exposed back-open to her hips. Beauty radiated from eyes accentuated by the blues in her dress.
“Here are your contacts.” Lily passed them to her.
“Not tonight,” Charley said to her mirrored reflection.
Lily sucked in air in a gasp. “Charley, you can’t!” She bit her bottom lip. “What if you don’t get out in time? What if he sees? What if-”
“I don’t care.”
Lily turned on her. “But you said it wasn’t the right time!” Her voice ratcheted up a notch.
“I’m not going to change my mind, Lil. I’m not going to-I want my eyes to be free, to reflect me, who I am, what I feel, not who I pretend to be.” She tapped her chest. “He’s too young to commit to a relationship like I’ll need. I’m not going to put that on him. You guys were right from the get-go. It’s not the right time for us. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to enjoy it as me.”
“But-”
“No buts, Lil. I wore the contacts on the first day, hoping I wouldn’t need them afterward, and I haven’t. I can handle my emotions. I had a year to think about it, and I’ve been practicing for four weeks. I know what I’m doing.”
“But you’re in love with him! You don’t know what you’re saying. Love messes you up. You’ll cave and-and-” Lily ran from the bathroom.
Charley blew out a breath at her reflection. “You’re stupider than you look, Charley.”
“What’s going on?” Cael’s body blocked her exit. “I just saw Lily run off. Looks like she’s crying again.” He pointed down the hallway.
“Just a bit of girl worry.” Charley pushed past him, heading down the hall.
She found Lily right where she expected-in her own room, with walls painted a dusky lavender, accented with zebra stripes. Charley offered a quick rap of her knuckles on the wood. “Lil? Can I come in?”
“Why?” Lily swiped at her nose without benefit of a tissue.
Charley tiptoed to her bed. The mattress sank under their combined weight. Two hands on the duvet, legs crossed, she turned to Lily. “I know I messed up before Lil, but that was a year ago.” Charley shook her head. “The truth is, I’m not ready to be exclusively human, yet, and Wyatt isn’t ready for me. He’s got college to think about and a life to live and experience.”
Lily turned back toward her. “That’s just the practical side of you talking, Charley.”
“I know, but I’m sure, and I’ve put plans into place to make sure I can do it. You, James and Cael. You’ll help me, right?” Charley stared at the floor.
Lily snuck up on her, laid her cheek against Charley’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you can’t have him yet. Again.” The soft sigh registered within her breath.
“I’ve never loved a man like I do Wyatt, Lil. He’s young, though, and needs to grow.” She moved one hand over her heart. “This is the third time, so that’s it for me. Ties will be severed. My cover will hold. You know that as well
