The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,34
I love the thought of my friend finally feeling like he has the upper hand in his unfortunate adoration of my nemesis.
Chapter Eighteen
May 1, 2008
Dear Molly,
I look like a hundred million dollars and change tonight. Not to be cocky, but I’ll be happy if Buck looks half as good. I’m afraid he’s going to resemble Count Dracula when he’s all dressed up.
Mom has been buzzing around me like a hummingbird on crack. She said if I play my cards right, Davis might ask me to dance. I told her that real life was not a John Hughes movie, but just between you and me, I really, really hope he does!
Buck just got here, so I’ve gotta go. Wish me luck …
I’m putting on a pair of dangling earrings when I hear a knock at my front door. “Come on in,” I yell out.
Buck strolls in looking like James Bond’s younger, more handsome, brother. I can’t help but smile at his transformation. “You’re hot!” I tell him.
He eyes me appreciatively. “You’re pretty stunning yourself. Give us a spin and let me see all sides of you.”
I’m glad I splurged on this dress at Joelle’s season close-out last year. I didn’t need it for anything special, but when I tried it on, I felt so gorgeous in it I had to own it. When I twirl for Buck, the full apple-green skirt lifts right up and shows off my legs. It makes me feel powerful.
“I’m nervous,” I tell him.
“We’ve both come a long way. We owe it to ourselves to let everyone know it,” he tells me.
“You’re the one who’s come a long way, not me.”
“I’ll let you ride on my illustrious coattails then.” Buck isn’t one to let me feel sorry for myself.
“Brat.” I smack his arm.
“Come on, let’s go. I want to make sure we get there early so I can take some pictures before the dance starts.”
“How do you know when it starts?” I ask.
“I called ahead to let the manager know that Elegant Travel’s editor-in-chief was in town and was considering their event for a feature in the magazine. He couldn’t have been more accommodating.” He winks when he adds, “Don’t be surprised if we’re treated like royalty tonight.”
My heart thumps in anticipation. Buck leads me to a super flashy black Dodge Charger. “You must be paying a fortune to rent that,” I tell him.
“Not me. The magazine is paying a pretty penny though.”
After we drive out of Shady Acres, I ask, “How weird is it coming back?”
“Super weird without my grandmother,” he tells me. “You need to get your butt to London to visit me, you know?”
“I’ll have to now that Jeanette is gone. Without her, you have no reason to come back to Creek Water.”
“Don’t pout,” he says. “I’ll still come back to see you, but you’re going to have to start pulling your weight in this friendship and meet me across the pond once in a while.”
“It’s crazy how we became such good friends, don’t you think? I mean, we didn’t even start hanging out until after prom, and we graduated only a few months later. It defies reason that we even stayed in touch, let alone pick up so easily every time we see each other.”
Buck reaches across the arm rest and takes my hand. “We come from the same place, Ash. You know me in ways most people never will. I’ll never take that for granted. Plus,” he adds, “you need me. I bring the cosmopolitan element to your sad small-town life.”
“Sad, nothing. I’ll buy an entire house for what you probably pay in rent every year. I feel sorry for you!”
He changes the subject. “I feel sorry for the good folks at the Creek Water Country Club. They have no idea what’s about to hit them tonight when we unleash Drew and Cheryl’s epic tango from season two of Dancing with the Stars on them.”
“I’m not sure we need to go that far,” I reply. “I think maybe a nice tame waltz is the way to go.”
“You don’t know how to waltz,” he informs me.
“I don’t know how to tango, either, but a waltz seems less intimidating.”
“There’s nothing to know about a tango. You just put a rose between your teeth, clasp your partner’s hand and parade back and forth like you’re a palace guard high on ecstasy.”
I smile at his outrageous description. “I’m glad you’re home Buck. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” He declares, “We have to make sure we