I looked almost sophisticated.
I turned slightly, taking in the back.
I didn’t look like a girl who had run out of her burning house barefoot the night before.
Perhaps not someone who exactlybelongedat a billionaire’s wedding on the arm of a famous quarterback. But close enough.
The thought made my stomach flip.
I stepped out of the closet and opened the bathroom door slowly. Theo was standing near one of the bedroom windows, adjusting the cuff of his shirt like he’d needed something to do with his hands.
“What do you think?” I asked, feeling all jittery with anticipation and hoping he would be okay seeing me in this dress.
He looked up and went completely still.
His eyes moved over me slowly, and from how quiet he was, I worried he might be seeing ghosts of his past life.
But then, the corners of his lips quirked up and he said, “You look incredible, Nora.” His eyes smiled, too, when they met mine. “Really. That dress looks amazing on you.”
Heat climbed up my neck, and I felt my insides flutter withbutterflies.
“Are you sure?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious. “It’s not too much?”
“No,” he said, stepping a little closer. “It’s exactly enough.” He looked down at my feet. “Now we just need to find you some shoes.”
Miles: Just leaving my house. See you soon.
I was just finishing styling my hair when the text came through.
Me: Perfect. See you then!
I hitsendand set my phone down on Charlotte’s bathroom counter.
Then, a second later, my stomach dropped.
Because he was definitely going to head to the wrong house.
I grabbed my phone again and typed quickly.
Me: I’m actually at Theo’s. Long story but… my house caught fire last night so he was nice and let me stay here.
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
Miles: Ok, switching my route. Also… are you okay? That’s crazy!
I swiped a coat of my new mascara across my lashes before responding.
Me: Yes. I got out just in time. I’ll tell you all about it on the way to the wedding.
The doorbell rang just as I slipped on the pair of heels I’d found tucked in the back corner of Alisha’s closet. According to Theo, that was where she’d stashed the items she’d meant to return. Lucky for me, the strappy heels she’d ordered in the wrong size were only half a size too big.
They weren’t a perfect match for the dress, and a fashion connoisseur like Alisha probably would have noticed immediately.
But they would definitely do for me in the pinch I was in.
I grabbed my phone and was just stepping toward the door when there was a soft knock.
I opened it to find Theo standing there in a fitted navy suit.