Untouchable (Untouchables, 1)
“Of course it won’t work if you decide it won’t work,” my mother says, firmly. “It’s a matter of priorities, Zoey. If you’ve got a good man on the hook, I’m not afraid to tell you those don’t come around all that often. You can read your books anywhere, they even have those online classes you can take now. If Carter wants you to move to New York and start a life with him, I think you’d be crazy to turn him down.”
Frustration rolls through me like a slow train about to putter to a stop at the railroad crossing. I can already tell this conversation is going to go south and end up in a clash of personalities, so rather than sit at the tracks and endure the pointless frustration, I steer into the nearest open parking lot and turn around.
Pulling my phone from the pocket of my jeans like it just vibrated, I flash my phone a smile. “Oh, what do you know? That’s him now.” I slide a finger across the screen and glance up at her. “I’m allowed to go to New York for the weekend, right?”
“Yes, of course,” she tells me, glancing anxiously at the phone. “You haven’t told him you won’t move there with him yet, have you?”
“No,” I murmur, opening the message to Carter. Since I have the phone out, I may as well share the news. It goes with my excuse to exit this conversation anyway. “He hasn’t asked, so I haven’t had to.”
“Well, do yourself a favor and don’t tell him no just yet. Think it over, Zoey. Think long and hard. If you love him, maybe the small sacrifice is worth it. He can give you a beautiful life. Chances like this don’t come around a lot in one lifetime.”
Neither does the chance to go to college, I want to tell her, but I don’t want to fight, so I keep my mouth shut and flash her a faint smile. “I’m gonna go upstairs so I can call him.”
“All right. Don’t be too long, dinner’s just about ready.”
Chapter 51
“Honey, Carter’s here!”
I hear Mom calling up the stairs, announcing Carter’s arrival. My tummy flutters with nerves as I spin sideways, watching the swish of my dress.
“Diamonds are forever” is the homecoming theme. I don’t have any diamonds, but I bought a pretty pair of cubic zirconia earrings that glimmer prettily in the light.
My dress glitters in the light. I love this dress so much, I would get married in it. It’s not white, it’s champagne with a glittery gold overlay that sparkles every time I move, but it’s the prettiest dress I’ve ever worn. It was embarrassingly expensive for just a homecoming dress, but Carter was paying, and after all he’s put me through this year, I figured I deserved a gorgeous homecoming dress. I’ll wear it to prom, too, and get a little more value out of it. Hell, I would wear this dress to buy groceries if I wouldn’t get funny looks.
I can’t help smiling at my reflection one more time, spinning so I can watch my gown glitter in the light. I sigh happily, then grab the small purse Caroline picked out to go with my dress. I slide it on my shoulder and walk over to the mirror for one last check.
Caroline booked me an appointment at her salon in the city earlier today, so I look fancier than I ever have. I got a manicure with white French tips, and my blonde hair is pulled half-back and gathered at the crown of my head, long, shiny curls cascading down the back and sides. Caroline had them do my make-up to compliment my gown, too, so that all I had to do when I got home was put on the dress.
I look like a princess. I probably won’t look this good on my wedding day, so I might as well enjoy it.
Carter is waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. He looks incredible in a black tux with gold accent pieces to match my dress. The way he looks at me as I descend the stairs is everything. There’s a gleam of softness in his eyes, a sense of awe that makes my stomach sink and my heart soar.
My foot barely touches the living room floor and Carter is already reaching his hand out to grab my waist and pull me close. I feel his breath on my neck as he leans in to tell me, “You look amazing.”
I want to touch him, too, so I brace one hand on his shoulder and run the other down the length of his gold tie. “So do you.” I lower my voice, since my parents are in the room, and lean in to whisper, “I wore those panties you bought me, but if I’d known you’d look like this, I wouldn’t have bothered.”