Page 131 of Prickly Romance

Deep breaths.

In. Out. In. Out. In—

Crap.

I cringe when I hear the tell-tale sound of fabric getting ripped apart. I guess sucking in my stomach won’t get me back into this dress.

I exhale and the snapping sounds get louder. Releasing the zipper I was wrestling with, I drop my arms and sink my head against the bathroom door.

My nerves are in a tangle. They have been ever since yesterday in Sazuki’s office.

I don’t want anyone else beside me.

That confusing bastard.

After saying something like that, he fell against my shoulder and conked out. What did he mean by it? Was he serious? Was he teasing me?

“Stay calm, Dejonae,” I murmur.

Ineedto get it together for tonight’s recording. We’ve had no time to prepare our song and I’m freaking out.

He’s the pianolegend, Ryotaro Sazuki.

And I’m… a music student with three-quarters of a degree.

The last time Sazuki heard me play, his bodyguards surrounded me and he kicked me off the stage. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

And now theworldis going to see me play the piano with him?

A knock on the door shatters my thoughts.

I ease it aside and see Yaya grinning at me. That smile fades quickly when she notices the fraying seams of my dress.

“You said you had a little black dress,” she signs.

“I do.” I jut my hands at the scrap of fabric.

“This dress is begging you to put it out of its misery,” she gestures.

“Is it that bad?”

“When did you buy this? In middle school?”

“I’ll have you know that I bought it for my high school graduation.”

She rolls her eyes. Clamping her lips together, she signs, “Borrow one of my dresses.”

“Your dresses aren’t my style,” I complain.

“Do you have a better option?” Yaya signs.

“Deej,” dad yells from downstairs, “you’ve got a package!”

I sign, “Dad is calling.”

Yaya shifts directions and follows me down the stairs.

As usual, we make a ton of noise as we race each other. Yaya wins by cheating and bouncing me out of the way. I shoot her a dirty look and approach my dad who’s still standing at the door. He’s studying the person outside intently.

---