Page 74 of Wild Hit
Audrey dances along, trusting me to twirl her around dramatically, and even through a theatrical dip. She’s all laughter, like freedom and irony have collided in her and she can’t contain the shrapnel. I’m happy to let it land on me, infecting me with laughter.
And maybe our antics inspire the live band to play something of this century, because suddenly it’s way less difficult to dance close and personal at the sound of a jolly classical rendition of Twist and Shout. Heck, even the stiff rich people are starting to liven up.
Maybe that’s why I don’t realize that this isn’t the happy ending moment, but the beginning of a fight that neither of us is really safe from.
CHAPTER 27
AUDREY
Princess Rose
How are things going with the new hubby?
Idebate whether to leave her on read, but that won’t pass my journalist roommate’s sniff test.
The truth is that Miguel has me drenched in sweat all over, and that I really will have to do something so I can keep up with him. Not that I’m a fan of working out, but he’s an incredible dancer, to the point where he makes me forget that my body’s composed of only left feet, and I even have fun being twirled around.
Like, who is this Audrey that watches me on the mirror with a full body blush, gleaming skin, flat and messy hair, shining eyes, and the toothiest grin in the world? Anyone who takes one glance at me will really think I’m a real newlywed wife.
But Rose and Hope—since the conversation’s happening on the group chat—don’t need to know all that. No one needs to know that I’m feeling like I’m on the senior prom right now.
Me
The news have been dropped
Landed like a bomb
Dad hasn’t talked to me since
These are factors that sure as hell are contributing to the wide smile on my face. I believe that what really sold the news was when I said that I had fulfilled the terms of the bargain by marrying a guy he approved of. That was a stroke of genius that came to me in the moment. I’ve really spent all night dancing with a hot guy to celebrate my freedom.
Our freedom.
Me
This is it, girls
We’re free from my tyrannical father
Darling Hope
Ugh forget about us
What’s important here is YOU being safe
Princess Rose
And also having some fun with a certain hubby
Me
Good talk, bye
A cascade of laughing emoji and stickers follows after that. I wish I could muster my usual disdain for a big eye roll, but the truth is that I wouldn’t mind staying a bit longer and having another turn at the dance floor with the hubby. Er, I mean, with Miguel—my neighbor, coworker, and friend. Nothing else.
I snatch a few more paper towels and pat my face dry, my neck, and even my pits just in case I’m starting to stink up like a swamp monster. I brush my bangs to the side, because they don’t look super great when they stick to my forehead. My dress has pockets—of course—and I fish in one of them for my lipstick. I’ve snacked on fancy finger food enough that it’s virtually gone.
After smacking my lips and waiting for the product to dry, I straighten out my silky dress and head out of the ladies restroom in search for my partner in petty crime.
