“I haven’t decided that yet. But I want to live here—with you. I’ll start looking for a new place this week.”
My eyes filled. “Really? You’ll stay here? Because I’d go with you to California if that’s what you wanted. My business can go anywhere with me.”
“Nah. I’ve had enough of that life. I like it here. My family is here, your family is here, it’s peaceful and quiet . . . I don’t want to leave.”
I put my cheek back on his chest, and he held me tight.
“Everything is going to be okay,” he promised.
It felt like a dream, but we were finally real.
TWENTY-FOUR
FELICITY
My sisters helped me get ready.
Winnie came over to Millie’s house—Hallie and Luna in tow—with an entire suitcase full of shoes, accessories, and cosmetics. While Millie blew out my hair, Winnie painted my nails and the girls came over with one pair of heels after another, slipping them on my feet and standing back to judge them.
“This is like Cinderella’s stepsisters after the ball,” said Luna excitedly.
“Except she’s not mean or ugly and all the shoes fit,” Hallie pointed out.
I laughed. “Which one do you think will go best with the dress?”
“The sparkly ones!” Luna said, pointing at my left foot. It was a sandal with rhinestone-studded straps and dangerously high heels. “Those look the most like glass slippers.”
“Of course you’d pick those. Isn’t there a princess who wore sneakers?”
“No. What should we do with her hair?” Millie asked Winnie.
“Hmmm.” Winnie wrapped one arm around her middle and tapped her lips with a finger. “What about a high bun? Sort of an Audrey Hepburn look?”
Millie nodded. “That could work.”
I slipped the dress on, Millie put up my hair, and Winnie did my makeup. Hallie and Luna helped me strap on the shoes, and then all four of them stood back and looked at me.
“Well?” I asked, turning in a circle. “How do I look?”
“Perfect.” Millie’s eyes were shining.
“I love that dress,” Luna gushed.
“Yes, even the hair isn’t bad.” Hallie nodded her approval. “I like it!”
I took one final look in Millie’s full-length mirror and had to admit I’d never felt so pretty. Maybe I didn’t have Winnie’s golden hair or Millie’s curves, but I was me, and I looked good. “Thanks, you guys.”
“I thought the party was a surprise,” said Luna. “How come you know about it?”
“Because Winnie can’t keep secrets,” Hallie reminded her.
“Shhh.” I held a finger to my lips. “We’re going to pretend I didn’t know. You all look wonderful too. I’m so glad you’ll all be there tonight.”
A moment later, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it!” Both younger girls took off running for the stairs. The next thing I heard was loud squealing and clapping.
My sisters raced out of Millie’s room. I took one last look in the mirror, picked up my tiny evening bag, and carefully wobbled out to the top of the stairs. I held onto the banister and started down, but I only got halfway before I saw Hutton standing at the bottom, looking up at me.
My breath caught. He wore a black suit, white shirt, and the blue tie he’d worn to the reunion, the one that matched his eyes. His hair was combed in that movie star way that made my insides dance—although that one contrary piece had sprung loose—and his scruff was trimmed close.
Best of all was the way he looked at me.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said quietly, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Thank you.” I reached the bottom, and he took my hand.
“He rode here in a carriage, Felicity!” Hallie jumped up and down, clapping her hands.
“With two white horses!” Luna added, pushing the door open for us.
I looked at Hutton, my mouth agape. “Is this true?”
He shrugged. “I heard that was how billionaires got around back in the day.”
Laughing, I stepped onto the porch and sucked in my breath, bringing both hands to my cheeks. “Oh my God!”
At the curb was an open white carriage, the kind tourists rent to be driven around town during the summer, harnessed to two beautiful white horses.
“Our driver’s name is Alfred,” said Hutton, offering his arm. “And he did warn me that it will take a little longer to get to Abelard by horse than by car, so we should probably get moving.”