Chapter 66 Nerves
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When I agreed to the dance, I didn't think about what this meant to him until Ember pointed it out as a date.
I might have misread his intentions. He'd been nice to me the last few weeks and had nonsequential conversations with me at school every time there was an opportunity. I didn't know what I was thinking, but it was too late to back out now.
I hoped he didn't read in too much to this, because he would be disappointed.
I smoothed out the front of my dress, turning sideways to inspect myself in the mirror. The long, flowy dress was plain but complimented my figure perfectly. Mom styled my hair in long waves down my back, plus stuck a snow-white peony into the side of my hair.
I added light makeup to enhance my features and dabbed on my favorite cherry lipgloss.
I had to admit. I felt pretty.
Mom was going bat crazy with her camera, circling me and snapping pictures non-stop. "I wish your dad was here to see how gorgeous you look."
"Mom," I laughed. "Don't you think that's a bit overkill?"
"Absolutely not!" she scoffed, snapping another one. "You are so beautiful. And you're growing up so fast."
If I didn't know any better, Mom was about to cry.
"Mom, I've got to go. Ember is waiting for me."
"Wait, one more, please?" she pleaded. "A selfie with your mom?"
I released a sigh, smiling. "Okay."
By the seventh selfie, I pulled away from Mom. "See you later!"
"Have fun, honey," she called after me. "Please, call me if you run into any trouble, okay?"
"I'll be fine, Mom," I shouted before closing the door behind me.
Ember was waiting by the dock—with Kayn.
My pace slowed. "Hi?"
Ember flung around. "Carly, girl, you look amazing."
When he turned to glance at me, my heart somersaulted.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, lifting the hem of my dress so that it wouldn't get dirty on the wet dock.
"I'm going to the dance." Kayn's voice sounded strained, his eyes skimming down my dress, then back up. "Figured since everyone's going in a group, I decided to tag along."
"Well…" I swallowed, noticing Ember's eyes were wide, and she shook her head.
Kayn peered over at his sister. "Did I miss something?"
Ember stiffened. "Nope. Not a thing."
"Nothing I'm aware of," I shrugged, wondering why Ember was freaking out. I peered behind me. I've been doing this a lot since the night of the attack in the streets.
"So, you two should probably know," I said, turning back.
Ember, still tense, asked, "Know what?"
"Rake is going to be there."
Kayn's froze. "You're not serious."
"No, he's Ella's date," I said. "He seemed quite interested in the fact that Ember wasn't with us when we went dress shopping."
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Kayn demanded.
"Well, neither of you were in school today, and my mom was working on my hair since I got home. I tried slipping away, though."
Kayn's eyes shifted to my head. "It looks nice."
"Thanks," I rolled my eyes, trying not to acknowledge my cheeks growing hot.
"You look beautiful," he tried again. It wasn't in a teasing way like he usually dished out compliments. There was sincerity behind it.
I was at a loss for words, trying to come up with something intelligible to say. "Uh—thank you."
"I don't trust Rake," Kayn changed the subject.
"Neither do I," I agreed. "Something felt off about him yesterday."
Kayn eyed me. "You seemed to like him the last time you saw him."
"No, I was trying to annoy you." My brows raised when a familiar sensation unfurled inside my chest. You've got to be kidding me. "Wait, are you jealous of him?"
Ember bit down on her lip. "He's jealous of any guy that goes near you."
Kayn couldn't pin his sister with a dirtier look. He turned toward the raft. "Let's go, before everyone thinks we drowned or something."
Ember grinned at me, saying in a low voice, "You should keep distance between him and Derek."
I paused. "Why?"
"You do not want to know."
