By the time we’re all done Leah is in a form fitted, knee length cocktail dress made from satin and lace, she has a figure to die for and the dress really accentuates that fact.
Bella is in a wavy, floor length cream skirt that starts at her waist, with a red off the shoulder crop top. She’s wearing a pair of gladiator sandals and she is a sight for sore eyes, I really hope my surprise is well received, I’m starting to feel really nervous now.
Roxie is unsurprisingly in a black mid-thigh dress, with chains semi circling one hip and leather straps crossing up and around her chest, over her shoulders and falling to circle her hips. She also has on a pair of black faux biker boots, covered in studs and chains.
Mikaela hasn’t dressed up like we have, she’s wearing a deep blue, halter neck top and a pair of black trousers but it suits her perfectly and she still looks elegant.
I glance at the clock and there’s only seconds t
o spare before the door goes and I grab Bella and hide us behind the bathroom wall.
“What are you doing you crazy woman,” laughs Roxie as she opens the door and I can hear her giggling.
“Only Declan can make Roxie giggle like that,” Bella says wistfully, and my nerves are getting more and more intense.
“Where is she?” I hear Noah and Elijah say.
“Were we supposed to go to her room?”
My heart stutter stops at the sound of Amias’ voice, I didn’t think he was coming.
I don’t think as I step out into the room, my eyes filling with tears that I do not want to fall.
“You’re here.”
“Of course I am little cub, you can’t go to the party without your dates now can you? Damn Henleigh you look breathtaking,” he says as I step close enough to wrap my arms around his neck.
“What about us,” Elijah asks, and he soon pulls me away from Amias until I’m wrapped up in his scent.
“You really are beautiful Hen, and not just on the outside.” He drops a kiss on the side of my mouth and I’m pretty much swooning.
Noah isn’t as touchy feely, but he does hold my hand and place a chaste kiss on my cheek as he reverts to his usual habit of drawing circles on me.
“Did he come?” I ask and I see Bella go pale as Matti stands in the doorway and awkwardly knocks on the frame.
“Henleigh,” she says before running into the bathroom.
“Oh bugger, one minute,” I say before pushing my way into the bathroom and finding her sitting on the toilet with her face in her hands.
“Bella I’m sorry, I just wanted to help.”
“This isn’t helping, it’s you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. It’s humiliating Leigh,” she won’t even look at me as she says this.
“You’re right that I shouldn’t have interfered, but you’re wrong if you think he’s only here because of me. You two are as helpless as each other, he’s ridiculously awkward and shy. And although I find it endearing it wasn’t going to help either of you. So, hide in here if you want to, but you need to know that he’s here because he wants to go with you. This has nothing to do with me.” I give her a long look, but she doesn’t lift her head out of her hands and I leave feeling like a massive piece of shit.
“You did a good thing, she’ll see that eventually,” Roxie says, but she doesn’t sound like she really believes it.
We all leave, except Bella and Mattias and I’m reminded once more of how much easier it is when you don’t have people to care about. Not that I want that kind of life again.
Sixteen
The building has been decked out with a photographer and a beach scene backdrop, there’s plenty of drinks and buffet type food and the music is eclectic.
There’s the typical party music like the Macarena, Time Hop and the Cha Cha Slide. There’s also hip hop, rock and some lovey-dovey stuff. Pretty much, there is something for everyone.
“What do you want to do first Hen?” Elijah asks, putting his arm around my waist.
“Food, drink and dancing. In that order,” I reply with a smile and we find two tables and put them together, so we don’t have to split up the group.