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I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not the first time I’ve gotten dressed up for a date. And the sleeveless black dress isn’t even close to the fanciest thing I’ve ever worn. Other than the giant hand-painted rose taking up three-quarters of the full skirt, the dress is borderline boring.
“Here.” Mom shoves a tube of lipstick into my hand. The color perfectly matches both my nails and the rose on my skirt.
A pair of headlights shine through the front window as Elijah pulls into the circular drive, and I quickly apply color to my lips while Mom runs to the door and peeks out.
She hums her approval. “Oh my.”
“Please don’t embarrass me,” I groan.
“You have no faith in me.” She huffs, wiping an imaginary tear from her cheek. “I wouldn’t dream of ruining your date.”
“Save the tears for Heath.”
“Don’t think I won’t. What else do I have to do tonight?” Mom says as she opens the door.
“Wow.” Elijah’s blue eyes sparkle as he takes me in. “You look . . .”
“Beautiful.” Mom finishes for him.
“I was about to say amazing, but . . .” His gaze locks on mine. “She’s right—you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I can feel myself blushing, but what the hell, it’ll match my lipstick.
Elijah grins. “Are you ready?”
“More than ready.”
The words float out there for a few seconds before I catch the sly look on my mom’s face—almost the same expression Elijah’s wearing.
“To go out,” I blurt. “On our date.”
He palms the back of his neck. “Of course. I knew what you meant.”
“Where are you going?” Mom asks him.
“I, uh . . .” Elijah stammers, his face turning the same shade as my lipstick. “I managed to get reservations at the Old Mule House.”
“Fancy.” Mom snaps a picture, blinding us both with the flash.
I blink away the spots in my vision and widen my eyes at her. “Don’t you have a date with Sir Ulrich?”
“Ah, yes.” She sighs and shoves her camera back into her bag. “A Knight’s Tale has always been my favorite.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Have fun!” She tosses a glance at Elijah as he holds the door open for her. “Don’t forget protection!”
He nearly chokes on his tongue, and I half expect him to bolt, but to his credit, he holds his ground. “We should probably go, too. Don’t wanna be late.”
As I stuff my phone into my purse, it vibrates in my hand and Nicole’s face lights up the display.
Mom’s voice in my head tells me she can wait until I get back. Other than a string of apologies for ditching me for three days, what could she possibly have to say?
Elijah walks me to his silver Honda and opens the door for me. Once I’m safely buckled into my seat, he turns to me with the question of the night. And the one I still don’t have an answer for . . .
“Ready?”
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