Page 55 of Something Forever

“Yeah,” he finally says. “Anyway, will you come with me on Friday? It’s some fancy gala QuestBridge is hosting to raise money for academic scholarships.”

“Okay,” I agree. “I’ll go with you.”

He breathes out. “Thanks.”

“On one condition,” I supply with a grin. He eyes me, suspicious, and I glance up at his mop of unruly hair. “Let me give you a haircut,” I tell him. “You cannot go to a gala looking like that.”

“Wow, thanks,” he replies sarcastically. “I didn’t know you cut hair.”

“It’s not like I can open a salon without having some skills of my own.” I shrug, glancing at his face. “When’s the last time you shaved, also?”

“I get it,” he retorts. “Friday before the gala, you can do it.”

I nod in agreement, excited to get a chance to cut hair again. I don’t get to do it often, but I always enjoy it.

“Not a date?” I confirm.

“Not a date,” he agrees.

But somehow… I’m not convinced.

22

WHITNEY

The past week has been a whirlwind. I put in the paperwork for the rental space in Williamsburg, and Sharon agreed to come on board as my CFO. Turns out she hated working for a bunch of tech bros as much as I did, and she’s been looking for a new job for a while. It’s overwhelming. There’s so much to do, and I feel like it’s all happening so fast. It’s exciting, but scary.

Speaking of scary, it’s the day of my not-date with Liam when I realize I have nothing to wear. I figured I had something in my closet that would work, but all I have are cocktail dresses and miniskirts, and I’ve got the sneaking suspicion that the event is more of a gown sort of thing.

I don’t own a gown. I am gownless.

I text Abbi.

Whitney: SOS. Going to a fancy gala with Liam and have nothing to wear.

It’s a few minutes before she responds.

Abbi: A fancy gala? What happened to ‘pretending it never happened’?

Whitney: It’s not a date.

She sends me back the eye-roll emoji.

Abbi: I’m at work late today, but Saks is having a sale. Good luck!

Guess I’m on my own for a shopping spree.

I take the subway to Soho and go through a few different stores, not finding anything that really appeals to me. I decide that I’m being too picky, so I get my fix of caffeine and then go to a few more stores with a better attitude. Eventually, while trying on a few different dresses at Reformation, I find it. An open-backed V-neck red satin dress with a slit up the side. It hugs me in all the right places, accentuating my soft curves and making me feel beautiful in a way I haven’t since…

Since I was in Liam’s arms.

After I check-out, I head back home. I only have a couple of hours to do Liam’s hair and get myself ready.

“Liam?” I call out as I let myself into the apartment.

“In here,” he calls from his room. I find him bent over his laptop, his scruffy beard even longer than the last time I saw him.

“I swear that thing grows an inch an hour.”

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