Page 82 of Third Time Lucky

‘I’m anxious, and wondery, and nervous, and my insides are filled with a swirling mass of confetti, ready to burst out at any moment.’

‘How very detailed. Want to know something?’ she asks.

‘Sure.’

‘The confetti thing, that’s pretty much how Aaron makes me feel. Shhhh,’ she lifts a single finger to her lips.

‘Really?’ I ask, my curiosity piqued. ‘And not just when you’re on top of him in the back seat of his car?’

She gasps. ‘You saw?’

‘Not because I wanted to. More because you were in my line of sight while watching the movie.’

A giggle escapes her lips. ‘You caught me,’ she confesses. ‘Just like we caught you two! And yes, especially in that moment,’ she admits with a guilty grin.

Yes, they saw us kiss. But I don’t care. I hope they see it again. As a payback.

She nods. ‘I realized at the bubble dance that despite being a bit of a wildcard – it’s part of what makes him fun. He’s got a soft side that I could be falling for…’

‘Falling? Like into a pit of despair or love?’

‘I think, love? Maybe? I dunno.’

‘He’s a little rough around the edges,’ I remind her.

‘I think maybe I could be the right woman to smooth those internal edges.’

‘You’re going to attempt taming a wild stallion?’ I ask, arching an eyebrow skeptically at Madi’s bold suggestion.

The idea of taming men is nothing but a myth perpetuated by women. It doesn’t work. In no world can I picture Aaron, the handsome yet reckless playboy, being tamed by the equally wild and carefree Madi. It seems like a plot straight out of a romantic comedy.

I let out a small laugh, unable to hide my doubt.

‘Well, I wish you luck with that.’

Madi grins. ‘There’s just something about him, Luce. I see beyond the bravado and fuckboy charm. There’s a fragility hidden underneath that mask that no one else seems to notice. I want to see it more clearly.’

‘I truly hope you’re right.’

I’m startled out of my thoughts by a light tapping on my open bedroom door. I turn to see Mitzi, wearing her housecoat, standing in the doorway.

‘Hi,’ I greet her, flashing the phone her way. ‘Say hi to Mitzi, Madi.’

‘Hi, Mitzi! Did you hear the news? Asher finally asked our Lucy out!’

Mitzi’s face lights up with a broad smile, her laugh lines deepening and wrinkles forming around her eyes. ‘I overheard that,’ she confesses with a grin.

‘You did?’ God, I can’t imagine what it looked like from the outside looking in.

‘Yes, I was standing in the hall listening,’ she says as if she does it all the time. ‘It’s why I’m here, dear. I thought maybe you could use some help picking an outfit. He’s seen enough of your stretchy options. You need something that says, “Yes, I’m effortlessly gorgeous, and I’ve never even tried.”’

I laugh.

‘Ooh, yes, let’s pick an outfit!’ Madi says with excitement.

Mitzi claps her hands together like a kid on Christmas morning, taking my phone from my hand as she begins rummaging through my closet. She talks to Madi as she pulls out various pieces of clothing, scattering them onto the bed. I try to protest, but it’s too late – half of my wardrobe is already on display.

‘How about the slinky black dress?’ Madi asks as Mitzi holds up a dress I haven’t worn in ages.

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