Emmalyn sighs sadly. "He's a skilled liar. A master manipulator. Don't beat yourself up about it."
"How can I not, baby? Just one person in your corner could've changed everything."
"You're here now," she whispers.
"I am." I nod even though she can't see me. "I am, and I'm not going anywhere."
"Thanks for calling me. For checking on me. For caring."
"I need to ask a favor before we hang up, okay?"
"Sure, Sterling. What?"
"I want you to promise me you won't leave your dorm tonight. Lock the door, stay in. Have a girls’ night. Can you do that?"
"Freaking me out again."
"I know, baby. I'm not trying to, but will you do that? For me, please?"
"Okay."
"Promise?"
"Yeah, Sterling. I promise."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Emmy
"Are you nervous?" Stella asks, clipping my long hair into three even sections while she waits on her curling wand to heat up.
"Yeah. No. I don't know."
"But it's your first real date, right?"
"That's weird, right? That I'm eighteen and just now going on my first date?"
"I don't think so." She laughs as she releases the first clip and combs out the hair. "But what do I know? My brother sure as hell never let anyone take me out."
"Imagine that...you lost your V-card before you even went on your first date." As soon as I say it, a sobering thought pierces my heart. "Well, I guess we both did."
"Nope." Stella locks her gaze onto mine in the reflection of the mirror in her room. "No, ma'am."
I shrug. "It's true."
"Good vibes only. Today is a good day, and tonight is going to be even better, okay?"
"You think so?" I ask as she begins carefully wrapping sections of hair around the barrel of the wand.
"Yup. Physics says so."
"Physics?" I try to turn my head to look at her, but she pops me with the comb.
"Yeah. Like, you've had so many awful things happen to you, it's time for good. I'm pretty sure it's a universal or karmic law or something."
I can't help but giggle at her attempt to rationalize the universe. "You're a mess."
"And yet, you love me."
"More than you know."
“Do you want me to do your makeup, too?”
“No. I’ll do it. But you can definitely help me pick an outfit. I have no clue what we’re doing, so…”
“Babe. Say no more. I’ve got this.”
Stella darts out of her room and into mine, while I move to the bathroom to start on my makeup.
Since I’m completely in the dark about our plans, I keep my makeup neutral. If I still lived at home, my mother would have pushed for a heavier hand. She is of the belief that natural beauty doesn’t exist. Which probably explains why she’s so pumped full of silicone and injectables; the only natural thing about her is her selfishness.
When I join Stella in my room, it looks like a laundry-filled bomb went off—clothes are everywhere.
“Um. Stell.”
She half sighs, half giggles. “I know. I’ll clean it up. But I think I’ve narrowed it down.”
“Let’s see it.”
“Two options: casual cute,” she says, nodding to a pair of jeans and a sweater. “Or classy cute.” She gestures to a long-sleeved cotton maxi dress with a gauzy overlay.
“Jeans for sure.”
She steps out while I change, and after I’m dressed, I take stock of my appearance in my full-length mirror.
I look like me, only different.
It's not my outfit, my makeup, or my hair. It’s my heart.
For the first time, in a really long time, hope is beating in tandem to the organ in my chest, pumping my veins full of possibility.
My tummy flutters as Stella whistles when I step out of my room. “So?”
"It's gonna be great, Emmy," Stella says right as a knock sounds through our suite.
“Oh! I still need to pack.”
My best friend grins. “I took care of it.”
And sure enough, my bag’s sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch.
Sneaky girl.
“Thanks. I think.”
Stella flings herself at me, wrapping me in a hug. "Have so much fun! And remember, I'm only one call away."
"You're the best," I whisper as I head for the door, grabbing my overnight bag and phone along the way.
My heart hopscotches in my chest as I swing the door open. My skin tingles at the mere sight of him. But unlike me, Sterling is the picture of composure, leaned against the doorjamb with his muscled arms crossed over his chest.
"Emmalyn." His eyes light up at the sight of me. "You look gorgeous."