Page 88 of Pretty Please Me
I smooth down my dress and stare at my reflection. I’m wearing a one-strap hot pink fitted sheath dress and patent leather white booties. It’s a far cry from my usual comfortable wardrobe, but I felt like celebrating myself tonight, and I wanted a dress that embodied the same energy.
So, this morning, after a good five hours of sleep, I pulled myself out of bed, treated myself to brunch, and went shopping.
I yank the price tag off the dress and try not to squirm as I look at it. The new Maggie splurges on herself from time to time, and this is a part of that. Besides, I wanted to wear a dress that was my own. I didn’t want to put on anything that Sam helped me pick out or paid for.
The bright pink bow on the back of the dress sticks out on each side and makes the teenage version of me so happy. I decided that since I’m going to my high school reunion, I might as well dress up for my inner teenager who never got to experience having cute clothes, much less fancy dresses.
My whole life I’ve just taken everyone’s leftovers, completely grateful for the scraps of what was left, never asking for more because I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. I’ve realized that people only see you as worthy when you value yourself first. By being so agreeable all the time, I’ve made it easy for people to take advantage of me. Not only have I made it easy for them, I’ve taught them to treat me as less than. All because I didn’t value myself.
Not anymore.
Tonight, I’m going to walk into that reunion as the new me, and this is only the beginning.
I spin around, loving the way my long orange hair contrasts against the magenta fabric. It’s a color combination I’ve always been warned away from, but my inner teenager is squealing from the excitement that I’m finally dressing her in her favorite color.
My phone buzzes on the wooden side table with a text from Trent.
Trent
Hey gorgeous. I’m downstairs waiting when you’re ready. No rush though.
I apply my bright pink lipstick and make sure I don’t get any on my teeth before throwing my purse over my shoulder. It’s go time.
Be right down.
I hit send just as I step into the elevator. A swarm of butterflies erupts in my belly as the the elevator carries me twenty stories down. My stomach tickles, and it reminds me of the ride at the amusement park where I screamed the whole way down. Sam couldn’t stop laughing at me when I ran out of breath and started up again and again.
Suddenly, the butterflies feel more like trapped gas.
As I step out into the lobby, I push the sick feeling down, and a genuine smile breaks across my face when I see Trent holding a bouquet of lilies.
“I can’t believe this is finally happening.” He rushes toward me and pulls me into a hug, smoothing my hair down as he pulls away and studies my face. “Maggie, you look… incredible.”
His grin is huge, and his blue eyes soak me in.
Trent’s only a couple of inches taller than me with heels. I notice the height difference immediately because his eyes seem so much closer. I can feel him staring at me, and it feels so… intense.
“Thank you.” I take the flowers from him and follow him to his car, idling under the overhang.
Trent walks around the driver's side and climbs in, and I stand there like an idiot before he rolls down my window and calls, “You coming or what?”
I shake my head, open the door, and climb in, feeling like an idiot. Not every man is so pretentious about opening doors for women like Sam. I think I’ve spent a little too much time with him, and I must’ve forgotten.
“We’ve got to get moving. This hotel was way farther out of the way than I realized.” Trent puts the car in gear and takes off in a rush. I flinch when he pulls out in front of a car and lays on the gas.
“You really look incredible. That dress looks like something a model would wear.” He holds out his hand with his palm up, and I eye it before placing my hand in his. His palms are clammy and soft, unlike Sam’s strong, calloused hands.
“I can’t wait to walk in with you on my arm.” Trent whistles. “Palmer and Malone are going to shit themselves when they see you.” The mention of his best friends sparks a memory of the three of them throwing balls of paper around the classroom every time our teacher turned her back. They were always so mischievous, but somehow managed never to get caught…
“I’ve got the catering company scheduled to arrive in ten minutes, but we’ll be lucky if we can beat them.”
I glance at the GPS that says our ETA is in twenty minutes just as Trent turns on the freeway and hits the gas, weaving between lanes and passing cars on both sides.
I tense and try to calm my breathing as my heart races. I feel completely out of control and have a twinge of guilt that I made us late. Trent passes the last car in front of him, and though he doesn’t slow down, I let myself relax for a moment.
I take the opportunity to study him, his blond hair cut short, a receding hairline. He’s filled out a lot since high school. All of his sharp edges softened with age. He’s still handsome but in a responsible adult kind of way. He looks like he keeps his finances in order and knows what a Roth IRA is. Not that Sam doesn’t… I guess it just isn’t the first descriptor that comes to mind when you look at him. His sexy forearms, chiseled jaw, and those deep brown eyes that look at you like he could swallow you whole… Those are the features that stand out when you see Sam.
I shake my head, pushing away his image.
