Page 80 of Broken Grump

“No, no, no,” she says as she sorts through my closet. “None of this is any good. Sam, what’ve you got?”

“Oh, no.” I know for certain that I can’t pull off anything my trendy, cool friend has packed.

But after whispering between the two of them, she goes out and then appears with a blush dress in her hands.

Not to be offensive, but it’s surprisingly classy for her taste. It’s a satin material, and it’s roused up in all the perfect places.

But she’s a bit taller and skinnier than me, so I’m not sure how it will look.

“Just try it.”

Reluctantly, I do, and it manages to fit me like a dang glove.

“What is this,The Sisterhood of the Traveling Dress?”

Sam shrugs. “I guess so.”

To finish my look off, they sit me down at my vanity, apply a “minimalistic” makeup look, and put my hair up in a classy bun.

As for my jewelry, Luna insists that I wear a pear-shaped necklace.

“Hopefully, she’ll be wearing another one by the end of the night,” Sam jokes.

Fortunately, that flies right over my young daughter’s head.

When they’re finished, they insist that I stand in front of the long mirror.

“You look so beautiful,” Luna says, hugging my side.

“Aw. Thank you, sweetie.”

“You really do,” Sam agrees. As much as my daughter’s compliments touch my heart, my friend’s cut a little deeper. Because I know she doesn’t automatically put me on the same pedestal that Luna does. If I looked like hot trash, Sam would be the first one to tell me—and I love and respect her for that.

Looking at my reflection, I have to admit that I do look pretty good. But I’m still shaking like a leaf.

“You’re going to do great!”

Ugh, I hope so.

Sam is already aware of the plan for Hayden to come a bit early in case Luna gets distracted by his presence. But after hearing the doorbell go off, she scoots my daughter along into the living room and asks if she wants to watchMoana.

Ohhh! A very smart move, indeed.If there’s one thing you can’t pull Luna’s attention away from, it’s that darn movie.

“Have fun!” Sam mumbles before disappearing and leaving me all on my own.

Chapter twenty-two

Hayden

I wanted to lookcool and sophisticated by ordering the oysters, but it proved to be a stupid move. Her immaculate beauty kept distracting me anytime I tried shucking one of them open.

For heaven’s sake, I just about catapulted one across the room at one point.

“Everything okay?” she asks me while smoothing the cloth napkin on her lap.

I sigh and put all the utensils down.

“Honestly, no.”

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