Page 57 of XO

I blush at her approval. “Thank you. I happen to think I’m a very lucky girl to have him.”

“And you see, that’s why you’re perfect for him. He’s been head over heels for you ever since you and your mom crossed the street and greeted us for the first time.”

“Well, I guess he’s gotten better at expressing his like for me as he got older. He had a fair few attempts at derailing my sanity.”

She laughs because she knows it’s true. “My boy has never been the best at expressing his feelings, even now. That’s why he and his father still struggle.”

Mrs. Lynch helps me with my jewelry while I dismiss the thought of saying,‘It’s because your husband is the world’s greatest fuckwit.’

Clasping the necklace, she turns me around to face the mirror for the first time and waits quietly as I assess her creation.

I’m so much in awe, a hard lump forms in my throat. Mrs. Lynch is like some fairy godmother, completely transforming me. While I said I didn’t want anything overboard, she’s successfully been able to highlight my good qualities and make me look glamorous but still be myself. My long hair Jacob loves so much cascades down my back in beautiful soft curls, contrasting against my milky skin. The black strapless knee-length dress, figure-hugging to my waist before flowing to my knees, is adorned with tiny gemstones. I loved the dress the moment I walked past it in the store window, and while Dad at first protested that it didn’t cover my legs and chest, he still surprised me one afternoon when I found it on my bed, beautifully boxed and wrapped in a thick purple ribbon.

“You look breathtaking,” Mrs. Lynch says pulling me into her arms. “How do you feel?”

“I feel incredible. But… I’m nervous.”

Taking a step back, she gently pushes a curl over my shoulder. “You don’t need to be nervous, Rosie. Jacob will always look after you. What the people in this town don’t realize is that they aretheproblem, not you.”

“I know. They’ve all been so cruel that it feels weird going to a dance with them all there in what should be a time when we all come together.”

“You’ve always held your head high, Rosie. This is the very moment you need to keep it high and don’t waver for anyone.” Kissing my cheek, she grabs her makeup kit and walks to the door. “Let them see how much you shine, Rosie. Like the diamond you are. I’ve always loved you.”

That damn hard lump returns. “I love you, too, Mrs. Lunch.”

When she closes the door behind her, I suck in the deep breaths I need to be able to steady my emotions, so my eyes don’t start leaking and destroy all of Mrs. Lynch’s hard work.

Only five minutes after she leaves, my mother slams the door closed, announcing her rushed arrival. When I hear her cursing back at my father, I grab my clutch and walk to the top of the landing.

Taking a break from their cruel jibes, they both turn and take me in. My father’s eyes fill with pride as he grows emotional. My mother plays the role of someone who suddenly gives a damn, since this is the first time she’s had anything to do with prom. She never even inquired as to whether or not I had a dress.

“Sweetie, you look beautiful,” she says, with a hand over her heart. She places her leather case to the side and steps forward so she can take a candid photo.

There’s a knock at the door, and my dad reaches over to open it. Jacob steps in stopping just shy of the stairs, his shockingly handsome face beaming with a gorgeous smile. Dressed in a stylishly cut tux, he looks every bit the god I knew he would.

‘Wow!’ he mouths, and I do the same.

Forgetting anyone else is in the room, I walk down the stairs, pulled with an urgency to reach Jacob as fast as possible. He wraps his arms around my waist and twirls me off the last stair with ease, gently kissing my lips.

“You look like a princess.”

“Then that must make you my prince.”

“Okay you two…” my mother interrupts, still disapproving of what she can’t stop. “I want her home before twelve, Jacob.”

“She can stay out as long as she likes,” Dad counters earning a scowl from Mom. “Let them celebrate.”

“You’ll let your daughter stay out all night with a boy?”

“If I remember correctly, Amanda, you stayed out the whole weekend when you were still a junior in high school.” My father winks at me, and I wink back knowing he’s on my side, and Mom is simply overcompensating for all the times she’s been absent emotionally and physically. “So, let your daughter have some fun the way you used to.”

I don’t want to know what type of ‘fun’ she used to have, so I end that conversation. “Well, we’re going. So… I’ll see you when I get home.” I lock eyes with Mom. “Whenever that is.”

“Just be safe, please.”

“I will.”

She hugs me quickly before my dad pulls me into his arms. “Have I ever told you how proud I am of you, boo-boo?”

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