Page 71 of Survival

“If you leave me.”

“I’m right here.” I gave her a gentle squeeze.

“No, I mean for good,” she said, her voice soft and timid with her fear.

“What are you talking about?” I pulled back a little to look down at her, just in time to see tears well in her eyes as she looked away.

“I don’t want you to take back your proposal. I was wrong for what I did yesterday, but I do want it. But you were right. I’m still not ready. Just like they said, I’m too messed up. I’m trying not to be, but I am.”

My heart lurched, hearing the pain I’d caused her, all from the way I’d left yesterday, and I cradled her chin between my thumb and index finger, bringing her sad gaze to mine. “We’re both messed up, but you’re a beautiful mess.Mymess. Don’t worry, princess, my proposal’s still waiting. I’ll wait as long as you need me to. I’m here when you’re ready.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she pulled me down into a tongue tangling kiss.

Chapter 21

ANNIE

“Sit still, sis,” Izzy fussed, and I huffed, tapping my nails against the bathroom counter as I looked back at the mirror. I was barely recognizable with the makeup Izzy had forced on me. Okay, that was an exaggeration, but I was still not a fan.

“You’re going to look gorgeous, Annie. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to go to prom.” Harper beamed from where she sat on the toilet beside us, and I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement. “Will you do my hair for me then, Izzy? Yours is so pretty.”

“Aw, thank you, and of course, I will.” Izzy smiled, her hair done in some kind of waterfall braid that curved around the back of her head to fall into gorgeous waves over her shoulder. Somehow, I’d managed to talk her into a simple high pony for mine, but she insisted on curling the strands before calling it done. I was officially her hostage, but she was literally beaming, her eyes bright and happy, and I didn’t want to chance bringing her down. She could make with me what she wanted if it meant she was doing okay.

This past week had been a rough adjustment since Mom had come home, and even if I was subjected to my sister’s whims first in order to do it, I was looking forward to the night out.

“Girls?! Are you almost ready?! The guys should be here soon!”

My eyes snapped to Izzy’s in the mirror.

“Almost done!” she called back, and I raised an eyebrow.

‘Liar,’my look told her. We didn’t even have our dresses on yet.

Archer yelled from his room. “Yeah, right!”

Izzy laughed and then grinned at me in the mirror. “We already know what we’re wearing. It won’t take us that long to get dressed.”

The doorbell rang, and my stomach swooped. “Of course, Tucker and Jet would be early today. Shit.”

Harper smirked and handed Izzy the curling iron when she motioned for it. “They’ll wait, Annie. You know they will.”

Still…

A tap sounded on the bedroom door a minute later, and Emma slid through into our room, a garment bag draped over her arm. “Hey, guys. Oh, wow. You both look so good.”

“Thanks.” Izzy beamed again, looking at our friend in the mirror. “What are you doing here? I thought we were picking you up in the limo?” She jerked my head back into place by my hair after I leaned over to look, and I bit back a curse. “Stay still. I’m almost done.”

Seriously, the things I do for my sister…

Emma came to stand in the doorway behind us and waved a dismissive hand in the air. “My mom and I thought it would be better if my dad didn’t get a chance to say anything to Nic, so she called your mom, and she said to come over here. Jet and Tucker were already coming over, so Nic could, too.”

Fucking great. Justmoretime I have to deal with him.I sighed, watching as Izzy unwound the curling iron from what I hoped was my last lock of hair. “You’re done?”

“Just a sec.” She grabbed a brush, doing something in the back I couldn’t see. “There. Perfect. Now, let’s get dressed before the guys get here.”

“Finally.” I stepped around my sister and into our bedroom.Mybedroom? I didn’t know. It was still weird. Izzy’s stuff was in here, but it was less and less that she spent much time in here.

Our dresses were hanging on our closet doors, and we quickly pulled them on, followed by me grabbing the sparkly sandals I’d already conceded with Izzy to wear. She and Emma helped each other with their zippers while Harper hurried downstairs ahead of us, and I waited a few more minutes as Emma and Izzy slipped on their jewelry and heels. I had Jet’s ring and necklace. I didn’t need anything else.

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