Page 145 of Off Pitch

And that helps, so thank you

Knox

Glad we have that settled, then

I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, Lo

Harlow

I can’t wait to see you either

I’m not sure I slept a wink last night.

I’m a bundle of nerves and anticipation.

I’ve spent so much time around Knox that I shouldn’t be apprehensive, but I still can’t shake the jitters.

What if the date doesn’t go well? I’ve already acknowledged that I’m in love with him—if this goes poorly, my heart will shatter all over again.

Lucia, Rory, and Ella have done what they can to make sure I’m staying optimistic, but for the first time in my life, it’s hard. Ireallywant tonight to go well, and I’m so afraid I’m going to screw something up.

“What about this dress, Lo?” Lucia asks me, showing me a sundress she pulled from the rack when I wasn’t paying attention.

“Luc,” I say, trying not to laugh. “When have I ever picked out something bright orange?”

“Hey, I’m just throwing out ideas.”

“What about this one then?” Rory asks from behind me.

I turn around to see her holding up an off-white lace dress with a fitted bodice and flowy skirt. “Oh, I love that!”

“That’s perfect, Rory!” Ella turns to me now. “Go try it on, Lo!”

I take the dress from Rory and head into the fitting rooms. I slide off what I’m currently wearing and slip into the dress, bringing it up my legs and over my torso. I fan the skirt out so it’s hanging correctly before I turn around to look in the mirror… only to find a bare spot on the wall where it used to be.

I slide open the curtain to the fitting room and say, “There’s no mirror, so I have no idea how this looks,” as I step outside. “Does it look okay?”

“Okay?” Rory scoffs. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Lo!”

“Absolutely!” Lucia adds. “Look at the mirror out here.”

I step beside them and turn to the side, finally finding my reflection. “Wow,” I say softly. “I love this.”

This dress is perfect. The off-white color doesn’t wash me out, and the cut of the bodice and the thin straps show off all of the freckles that are usually hidden by my T-shirts.

I feelbeautiful.

“That necklace looks really nice with it, too,” Ella says.

“Where did you get the necklace, Lo?” Lucia asks. “I don’t remember seeing that before.”

“Oh,” I smile. “This was my birthday present from Knox. He surprised me with it.”

“That’s so sweet of him,” Ella swoons.

“He’s a sweetheart, honestly,” I admit. “He’s probably the sweetest man I’ve ever met.”

Lucia comes up beside me and throws her arms around my shoulders. “I never, in a million years, would have guessed that Fort Knox is such a nice guy. I assumed he’d be nice in bed, sure, but I didn’t know if he would be nice outside of that.”

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