Page 20 of Princess and Country

From that moment on, I knew it in my heart.

My hand belonged in Jeff Hills’s hand.

* * *

“You’re sure this is a good fit on me?” I asked Addison as she zipped my gown, a tulle steel-blue A-line dress with gems sewed to the bodice. It matched Jeff’s buttoned-up shirt. This shade of blue was my favorite color on him, and it also looked fabulous with my copper hair. My girlfriend—a fanatic for anything beauty-related, thanks to her mama owning a beauty salon—had applied dark gray glittery shadow to my eyelids and a coat of black mascara to my lashes. She’d curled my hair and tied it in a complicated half updo, leaving a few strands loose around my face.

“Are you crazy, Dah? You look like a princess. Jeff will go crazy when he sees you. Don’t be surprised if the heat between you two goes through the roof.”

“I don’t want him to think I tried too hard.” I sighed. Would Jeff’s friends treat me like I belonged? A dozen knots tied my stomach at the thought they would all see me as a kid playing grown-up for a night.

“Dah, it was all him. He chose you. And I’m sure Jeff Hills can hold up his end if anybody says anything. Don’t worry about it. Neither of the Hills brothers would ever do anything to hurt you or your feelings.”

“Still—”

“No still, Dah. Put a smile on your face and enjoy your night. All the girls will wish they were you. They would all want to be on his arm tonight. Remember he chose you.”

“I—”

A soft knock on the door interrupted us.

Carter peeked inside my bedroom. His lips parted. His eyes rounded.

“Wow, you look—you look—”

My mouth went dry. “That bad, huh?”

“You’re kidding? You look perfect.” I spun around once Addison finished zipping me up.

“You’re sure?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. He gave me a slow once-over.

“Dah, you’re beautiful.” Our eyes met, and I noticed a shadow clouding his irises. We’d talked about prom countless times over the last two months, and Carter promised he was okay with me going with his brother. But deep down, I knew he hid the truth from me. I could read it in his eyes every time he stared my way and thought I wasn’t aware.

It crushed my heart a little more each time.

But then, Jeff’s gaze would land on me, and I’d forget everything else. His eyes would darken. He’d rub the back of his neck. Look away for a second and shake his legs—I believed to relieve the discomfort growing between them. Yeah, I noticed. Deep in my core, I knew I’d made the right choice.

Carter cleared his throat. “I’m here to escort you home. I volunteered to be the one walking you over.” Carter offered me his hand, and I held on to it like a lifeline. Just his touch was enough to calm my pounding heart.

“I need to get going anyway,” Addison said. She neared me and pulled me into a hug. “Have fun tonight, girlfriend. And call me tomorrow morning.”

“I will.” My friend left, and I found myself alone with Carter.

I wiped the corners of my eyes with my fingertips, trying not to mess up my makeup.

Carter inched closer, worry in his eyes. “You okay?”

“Yep. Thanks for being here for me. I’m not sad, just overwhelmed.” Carter bowed his head and led me away.

At the top of the staircase, I halted, afraid I’d trip over my gown. Carter saw my hesitation because he lifted the back of my dress and gripped my elbow as we made it downstairs.

“Nice boots,” he said with a wink. I poked his arm with my finger.

Tonight, I wore cowboy boots instead of heels—which I’d never worn before—to avoid the risk of breaking one of my ankles and humiliating myself.

Carter and I paraded down the street as we walked to his house. Mrs. Canterbury, our old neighbor, waved at us from the white wooden swing on her front porch.