Page 57 of The Heir

“What’s wrong?” I asked as his face changed to some sort of amazed look and a smile.

“So, you really will go with me?” he asked as if it was some sort of miracle.

I was the one who should have been shocked. He was the real catch there.

“Yes, I said I would.”

He grabbed me by the waist and spun me around.

I giggled and squealed in surprise, wrapping my arms around his neck. I loved being so close to him. My face was only a few inches from his.

“This is wonderful. I am so very much looking forward to escorting you to the Homecoming dance, Emma.” He put me down with a wide grin.

“You have a funny way of talking, sometimes,” I said, giving him a playful smirk.

“I do?” he asked, surprised, removing his hands from my waist and moving some hair from his eyes.

“Yes, so proper and formal. I like it a lot.”

“I guess, I am glad you approve,” he beamed. “I will see you tomorrow?”

“I don't know. Will you be coming to school?” I asked, stepping back a few steps.

“I will be here. Have fun Emma,” he added. Then he turned and walked to his car. Mary pulled up soon after Shad started his car; she giggled as she got out and gave me the biggest hug.

“I am so excited. I really need a girl’s day—with my girl! Where is Ash?”

My phone beeped. Hopefully, it was Ash. I checked and sure enough it was.

“She just texted. She will be here soon,” I said, putting my phone back in my pocket.

Ash, soon, came running from the school with a huge smile on her face.

“I am so excited! Thanks for letting me come.”

“Of course,” I said, happy that she was with us.

Chapter Sixteen

The mall was crowded. I shouldn't have been surprised by that, but I was. I also hated that I was even in a mall. The stores, with their glass display boxes and pretty, thought-out designs inside them, showcasing the season’s hottest fashion trends, made me feel a little dizzy. I tried not to roll my eyes as Mary took me to a rather bustling shop near the end of the mall. Ash followed close behind.

“Here we are!” she whispered in my ear. The excitement in her voice wascatching. I smiled, and we waited in line for a good half hour before it was our turn to peruse the dresses and stand in front of the mirror. I knew what I had in mind and was also curious to see what Mary would suggest.

“I don’t really have a budget. I think I'll just make something I already have work,” Ash was saying to Mary as we looked through dresses.

“Oh, your parents won’t help?” I watched as Ash’s face turned red, and I was surprised because she always seemed so confident.

Maybe embarrassment is universal, no matter how sure of yourself you appear.

“Uh, they are my foster parents, and the money they get doesn’t really coverextras.”

“Oh, I see,” Mary said, looking at me. I shrugged my shoulders because I didn’t know; I had not known that Ash was living with foster parents.

Was that boy then who came to see her a foster brother?I felt guilty like I was truly the worst friend in the world for not knowing something like that. In a few minutes, Ash spotted a hot pink dress that made her squeal. I hid the urge to cover my ears.

“Okay, I may not have the money for this, but I amsotrying it on! They don’t have this shade back in–” she paused and hugged it to her chest. Mary and I both smiled.

I walked through the rows and rows of prom dresses, some short, some long, and some even had trains. I touched the fabrics until one caught my eye. Mary was doing the same, but was having more success. As I reached the end of a long row, still with only one in hand, Mary smiled.

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