Maddie moved toward them. “We think so.”
“He was worried about you. Is this too much? We know your mom doesn’t know the truth but the rest of it…” Kyra paused like she was stuck on the words.
“He cares about you, Lexi,” Maddie said. “There’s nothing fake about that. Which means we care about you too.” Maddie spoke with so much sincerity Lexi’s heart squeezed painfully.
“I’m a fired waitress, a part-time,maturestudent just shy of a degree. I live with my mother and we’re barely staying afloat.” They needed to see her as she really was. Will was seeing her through rose-coloredglasses. They needed to see the truth so they could have the whole picture.
“You’re a woman who makes my brother laugh and smile,” Maddie said as Maisie’s and Gwen’s voices came from the hallway.
“When he talks about you, his eyes actually light up.”
Her heart ballooned to near bursting.
“What someone does isn’t nearly as important as who they are,” Maddie said quietly as Maisie and Gwen joined them.
“Oh my God. Those dresses are amazing. I’m Maisie, Lexi’s bestie, but I’ll totally trade her in for whichever one of you is willing to give me one of those dresses.”
All of them laughed. As Maisie and Kyra took point, deciding which ones would look best on Lexi, Maddie chatted with Gwen, even going down the hall to see her miniatures. Lexi took it all in. The moment, the women, the feelings. Things had changed in a heartbeat. And not just in a bad way. Hours ago, she’d felt alone and unsure. Defeated. And now?
Now she felt like anything was possible.
Twenty-eight
Maisie stood behind Lexi, making her feel like shewasback in high school again, getting ready for a party or a night out. Of course, then she’d have been with Jackie and Becca. And she would be again tonight.
Nerves assaulted her in a way they never would have as a teen. She’d been too young and full of herself. How did someone who knew so little of the world feel so incredibly confident? Graduating made her feel like she was ready to take on the world. But even before her dad’s death, it’d been harder than she expected. Maisie peered around her so she too could look in the full-length mirror on the back of Lexi’s bedroom door.
“You look smoking hot. Will’s sisters know how to shop. Every dress is gorgeous but I think this is the one.” Maisie walked over to the closet where they’d hung the gowns. All of them, Gwen included, had fun trying on the real-deal name-brand designers. Prada, Chanel, Ralph Lauren. The collective cost of the couture garments in her room would probably buy a new car. Kyra had said she didn’t wear any of the dresses anymore. On one hand, Will’s younger sister reminded her of Maisie with her enthusiasm and openness, which made it easy toconnect. On the other, the woman handed her thousands of dollars’ worth of dresses and said she could donate what she didn’t want to keep. Which, while sweet, flashed a light on their differences.
“I really thought the burgundy would be the one with your hair and eyes. I had no idea you looked so amazing in green.” Maisie lifted a pale-pink dress from the hanger and held it up against her body.
The emerald-green Calvin Klein she’d chosen had a V-neck bodice that was both sexy and discreet.Perfect for polite society.Lexi smirked at her reflection, loving the way the light bounced off the sparkling bodice. The waist cinched before flaring out into a flowing, tulle skirt that would swish beautifully while dancing or walking. Plus, it’d be easier to sit down in.
A knock sounded on her door right before her mother called out, “Honey? Will’s here.”
Pressing a hand to her stomach, she told herself that everything would be okay. The scales were starting to balance.
“You got this,” Maisie said, putting a hand to her back.
Air whooshed out of her lungs. “I do. And even if I don’t, Will always has it together enough for both of us.”
Lexi pulled the door open, watched as her mom’s eyes filled with tears.
Gwen clasped her hands together and tucked them under her chin, just staring. “It’s like prom, only better.”
Stepping into her mom, she gave her a hard hug.
“You are stunning. Your dad would be so happy to see you happy. So proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Tears threatened so she moved back, gave her mom a cheeky grin. “Or he would have mocked me for going to a snooty, upper-crust party.”
Her mother laughed, putting an arm around her waist as they walked toward the living room.
“I heard that,” Will said as they walked in. “Some of us snooty upper crust are pretty fun.”
Speaking of stunning. The man was gorgeous. His dark hair was newly cut. His strong jaw was clean-shaven and those deep-brown eyes sparkled with happiness. She enjoyed him so much she didn’t let herself think about what-ifs and what-happened-whens. Dressed in an actual tuxedo, he could have been the next Bond.
Their gazes locked but he spoke first. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
