Page 98 of True to You

I try to hide it, but the frustration and defeat in my voice bring my dad next to me, wrapping me in a hug. It’s just been the two of us for so long; he knows when things are on my mind. When something is bothering me, and also when I don’t want to talk about it. But he also knows when I’m hurt. And when I don’t need or want him to say anything, but just be my daddy. I lean my head against his chest.

“I can’t smudge my makeup,” I let out a strained giggle, holding back tears I didn’t realize I’m on the verge of.

“You won’t.” He wraps his other arm around me. Pulling away from me a step, he looks down at me and smiles. “You’re beautiful and strong, and I’m so proud of what an incredible young woman you’ve become.” His eyes look over my dress as he wrinkles his nose. “But I would like you to wear a trench coat over your dress for the entire night.”

“Daddy.” I swat his arm.

“Or maybe a blanket. We can take the throw off the couch and just wrap it around you. This thing is …” He feels the red shawl over my shoulder before shaking his head and letting out a deep breath.

“You haven’t seen Cindy’s dress yet.”

Like clockwork, she steps out of the bathroom, and my jaw drops. She looks absolutely breathtaking.

“You’re right,” Dad says, taking in Cindy’s dress, before looking over at Veronica. “On second thought, all three of you girls need to change. Preferably into sweatpants and ponchos.”

Veronica giggles, as Cindy re-examines everything about her outfit.

“Anyways.” He turns around, reaching behind the counter. “These are for you girls.”

All three of us exhale, “Aw,” as my dad has three red rose corsages. “I wasn’t sure what your dresses were, but I figured a red rose goes with anything.”

“Mr. Jacobs, that’s so nice.” Veronica comes over and gives him a hug.

“Wait.” I look at the corsages as he hands them to us. “You didn’t know if we had dates or not either. What if we had and they’d gotten us corsages?”

“Then you’d have two.” He smiles. “And I’d take your picture with only mine on you.”

“Pictures!” Cindy screams and starts clapping.

For the next five minutes, my dad withstands a barrage of photo poses from all of us and swapping of phones. When he told Cindy he could just send her the pictures she said no because the camera on her phone is supposedly the best one. I roll my eyes, while he simply continues to take pictures.

“All right, enough,” I call out. “Let’s get going.”

My dad sends me a curious look. “Your date hasn’t got here yet.”

I let out a scoff. “I don’t think McTool is gonna show up.” The nickname sends Veronica and Cindy into a laughing fit, while my dad stares at us confused. “It’s fine, Daddy. I don’t need a boy to have a good time.”

He smiles before taking me in his arms one more time, planting a kiss on top of my head. “Exactly. I’m holding you to those words for the next thirty years.”

“Dad!” I groan out but can’t help but laugh, as the girls follow suit.

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