Page 71 of Redeeming the Villain
“Hello?” I answer his call.
“Hey, you. Guess what.” His voice is loud yet seemingly far away, like he’s yelling toward his phone that’s across the room. “Too impatient. I’ll be back in Evermore this afternoon. Took longer than planned but I couldn’t help myself, I’m on vacay. Please tell me you don’t have plans tonight. We have to do something.”
Sunny and I walk into the dorm building and get on the elevator. “Not yet I don’t. What do you have in mind?”
“Dinner,” he answers almost immediately. “I’ll pick you up. Does seven work?”
I nod, then realize he can’t see me. “Yeah, sounds good! I’m excited you’re actually going to be here at school with me. I’ll have a friend of my own.”
“No more putting up with the peasants.” He chuckles.
“Oh, stop it,” I lightly scold him. “Dress code?”
He blows a raspberry. “We’re going to Mataquin, a fancy place, so wear something a bit dressy.”
I’ve been there before. It’s pretty extravagant. It’s a good thing I have a few dresses and gowns that my dad insisted I keep with me for emergency events that required my attendance.
“Seven o’clock. Got it.” I smile.
“See you then, hot stuff.” He ends the call right as Sunny and I reach our room and slip inside.
I guess I’d better figure out what the hell I’m going to wear. Maybe something that would drive Malik insane if he saw me in it.
I wonder how he’d react, knowing I’m going out to dinner with a guy tonight.
Would he be jealous? Would he even care?
My worries and questions fade to the back of my mind as I spend the next two hours playing on my piano and practicing this new piece until I run out of procrastination time and I have to start getting ready.
Opting for a new gown that I haven’t had a chance to wear, I pull it from my closet and hang it on the back of my door while I quickly pop some curls into my hair and apply some glowy, soft makeup on my face.
After finalizing my look with pink lip liner and gloss, I step into the gown and zip the zipper on the back.
The feat of getting ready alone has already fatigued me, one of the more understated symptoms of POTS.
It’s the little things that really weigh me down. Aside from the episode at Blair and Griffin’s, I haven’t fainted in almost a year. But the shortness of breath and never-ending spurts of nausea, fatigue, and brain fog are the soldiers on the front lines, trying to bring me down.
Taking a moment to calm my breathing and heart rate, I lie in bed, resting my feet up on a pillow to keep the blood flow even and smooth. Sunny jumps up in bed next to me, lies down, and rests her head on my stomach.
I brush her soft hair back on her head, and the cute aggression threatens to take me over.
“You are just the prettiest girl, Sunny Bun.”
Her big eyes look up at me, and my heart melts.
Knowing that we’re only going to dinner, I’m not going to bother calling Sunny’s sitter to come over. She’ll be okay for a couple of hours. Besides, she likes her alone time sometimes.
Drinking a few sips from my water bottle, I slowly sit up, taking my time and listening to my body as I rise to my feet. Feeling steady and okay, I grab my purse at the same time that my phone rings. It’s Phillip.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hey, I’m downstairs. I would greet you at your door, but the building apparently has security.”
Grabbing my keys, I chuckle. “Yeah, no worries. I’m on my way down.”
“All right. See you in a second.” He ends the call.
Looking back at sweet Sunny, I blow her a kiss before stepping into the hallway.
