Page 33 of Accidentally Yours
She bit her lip, studying the marquee behind them. Despite the slightly blurred background, she recognized the iconic theater.
Her phone buzzed again. Another picture.
This one was more recent—color, not black-and-white. Ethan’s grandparents again, much older this time, snuggled together in the plush seats of a grand theater. The seats were red and gold. The ornate details sparked something in Paige’s memory. Her pulse kicked up a notch.
Framed in light, a century’s glow. A hidden mark where dreamers go. Stars above, stars below. Find the name that stole the show. Past and present, red and gold. Where echoes of cheers never grow old. Seek the seat where lovers met. Beneath the symbol they won’t forget.
Before she could type a reply, another text came through.
Ethan: Be ready at 6:30 tomorrow. We’ve got tickets to a show.
Alice brushed Paige’s hair and fluffed it one more time before stepping back with a satisfied nod. “Perfect. You look like a sassy goddess.”
Gigi popped another bite of cannoli into Paige’s mouth before she could protest. “And sassy goddesses must be hand-fed sweet treats. It’s the law.”
Paige, mid-chew, squinted at her friend. “I think you just made that up.”
“I think you should trust me,” Gigi said, grinning.
Paige grinned back as best she could while her mouth was full of pastry. But when she turned to her full-length bedroom mirror, she nearly choked. Who was that woman? “My hair has been aggressively curled, my eyeliner could probably cut glass, and you two have filled me up on so much cannoli that I could run from here to the theater.”
Alice and Gigi exchanged a knowing look before Gigi said, “You love it.”
Paige took one more look. “I kinda do.”
Alice beamed. “We love it, too!”
Gigi smiled, wiggling her fingers, admiring her makeup artistry. “I went for sultry but approachable.You like?”
Paige nodded, but also arched a brow. Sultry and approachable were not words she’d use to describe herself. “Is he going to think I’ve lost my mind? I never wear makeup. I live in leggings.” She looked herself up and down, smoothing the front of a vintage T-shirt and dark jeans, which were paired with gold sandals. With her hair and makeup done, the outfit looked fancy—at least, Paige’s version of fancy. She somehow looked effortlessly chic instead of like she’d just grabbed the first thing from her clean laundry pile.
“You’re going on a date,” Alice said, taking Paige’s hand and sliding gold bangles onto it. “You’re allowed to dress up and wear makeup.”
“Also, you should do a French tuck.” Gigi gathered the front of Paige’s shirt and tucked it neatly into her waistband.
Paige watched as Gigi finagled the shirt. “What makes it French?” Paige asked.
“Instagram said so.” Gigi shrugged, and Paige accepted her answer.
“Fair enough.”
Gigi stepped back, admiring her work. “Mm-hmm,” she declared. “Ethan’s going to take one look at you and spontaneously combust. I mean, you’re hot in your leggings, but this ensemble?” She whistled. “He won’t know what hit him.”
Paige huffed a laugh, grabbing the sparkly clutch Alice had insisted she borrow. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re like my fairy godmothers or something.”
“Anytime,” Alice said, beaming like a proud mother. “We got you. Always.”
Gigi gave a wink. “Now go forth and make bad decisions.”
After a group hug and a stern warning from Alice not to overthink things—which Paige knew she would absolutely do—Paige climbed into an Uber, butterflies doing an obnoxious cha-cha in her stomach.
Why was she being so absurd? This wasn’t an actual date. There was no need for nerves. She was on her way to a research mission. A clue hunt. A fake date with her fake boyfriend.
Come on, Paige, she scolded herself.Get it together. No more butterflies. That’s crazy.
Ethan had texted to say he’d come pick her up, but she’d said it’d be easier to meet him at the theater. When the Uber pulled up to The Chicago Theatre, Paige stepped out onto the sidewalk, instantly swept into the buzzing energy of the crowd. Couples and friends snapped pictures under the iconic glowing marquee, the air thick with excitement.
But her pulse spiked when her gaze found Ethan.
