The Other Side of Tomorrow

I shrug it on and zip it up so only the bottom half of the dress is exposed.

“One last thing, I promise,” she says, grabbing a pair of black heels off my bed.

I stare at them. “Do you want me to break a leg?”

“Willa,” she groans, “you cannot wear a dress like that with sneakers. You just can’t.”

I take them from her and slip them on, gaining at least three inches, if not more, in height. I wobble a bit and hold my hands out to balance myself.

“Look at our little girl,” Meredith says to Harlow, wiping away a pretend tear. “She’s all grown up.”

“Oh, shut up,” I groan.

My phone vibrates inside the clutch and I check it.

“He’s here,” I say, and swallow thickly as fear threatens to strangle me. I’m miles out of my comfort zone with this.

“Showtime. Let’s go, let’s go.” Meredith pushes me out of my room and then has to help me down the steps because … heels.

“Wow, you look beautiful,” my mom says, unloading the dishwasher.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t be home too late,” Dad says. “In fact, I think I’m going to go talk to this guy.”

“Dad, no.” I blanch at the idea of him meeting Jasper.

“Why not?” He narrows his eyes.

“I-I don’t want you to scare him away.”

He chuckles in only the way my father can—husky, but with an edge that lets you know he means business. “I won’t scare him … too much,” he mutters.

“Jake,” my mother scolds, swatting him with a dishtowel.

My dad follows me to the door and I swing it open to find Jasper already standing there. I stumble back into my dad’s chest in surprise.

Jasper stands there dressed in a pair of khaki pants that sit snuggly on his hips with a white button-down shirt tucked into them, the sleeves rolled up his tanned muscular forearms. He looks like a damn snack—no scratch that, he’s the whole meal.

“These are for you.” He holds out a bouquet of assorted flowers. I spot a lily and inhale its fragrant scent.

“Thank you.”

“I’m Willa’s dad.” My dad holds his hand out to Jasper and when Jasper takes it he gives it a rough shake.

“Dad,” I hiss under my breath.

Jasper flashes me a smile and shakes his head, telling me it’s okay.

“You look old,” Dad states.

I bury my face in my hands.

Jasper chuckles. “I’m twenty, sir.”

My dad makes a noise in his throat. I’m tempted to step on his foot with my heel.

“I have my reservations, but Willa seems to like you, and …” He pauses and looks at me sadly but with pride. “And I trust her judgment. If she likes you I’ll give you a chance.”