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“I know.” She nodded as she let go of him. “Thank you.”

I didn’t think yoga was that exhausting. But then again, I’d never done yoga in my life, so what did I know? It made sense my mom was tired after trying it for the first time in eighteen years.

“I’ll go take a shower, and then we can get going,” my mom continued. “What time do we need to leave, Matt?”

“As soon as we’re all ready,” he said. “I’ve got a lot planned, and we should probably get back here for five so we can get ready for the evening.”

“You haven’t told me much about the event,” my mom said.

“Yeah, same,” I agreed.

“It’s just something I need to show my face at for work,” Matthew replied. “We shouldn’t need to stay long. I’m sure we’ll be back here in time for another trip to the ice cream place.”

“Sounds perfect,” my mom replied.

As we all went to get ready for a day out in New York, I found myself wondering about the evening that awaited us. When Matthew had first mentioned it to me in Rapid Bay, it had seemed like this event was one of the main reasons he’d invited me to New York in the first place. If it was just something he needed to quickly show his face at before we bailed to get ice cream, why did he want me to be there so badly?

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Matthew had planned a day full of Christmas-themed activities. We visited the massive Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center and all the gorgeous window displays in the department stores nearby. We strolled through a winter holiday market, and we finished the afternoon off with ice-skating.

It was the first time I’d ever strapped a pair of skates to my feet, and I was absolutely terrible. I spent most of the session with my hands gripped firmly to the barrier that bordered the rink. Eventually, Matthew managed to coax me off the barrier, and I took a spin around the ice holding his hand.

Despite my distinct lack of coordination, it was still such a fun afternoon, and nothing made me happier than seeing the pure joy on my mom’s face as she slowly puttered around on her skates. I was simply glad to have survived the experience, and the hot chocolates we got after we’d finished more than made up for my still shaking legs.

By the time we got back to Matthew’s apartment, I was well and truly exhausted. I had no idea how I was going to find the energy for an evening out. I subtly tried to suggest to my father that maybe my mom and I should skip the party, especially if it wasn’t that big a deal. But he wouldn’t hear of it.

“I know I said we wouldn’t have to stay long,” he explained. “But it’s important to me that you’re both there.”

“Why?” I asked. My suggestion we skip the event wasn’t all that serious, but a part of me felt like it might force him to be a bit less cryptic about what the evening would actually entail. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

“I’ll be asked to say a few words, and I’d like you to hear them.”

“Okay.” I nodded, but I was only feeling more uncertain about what to expect.

I left Matthew and went upstairs to my room to begin getting ready, but my intrigue about the night ahead reached another level when I saw a beautiful dress hanging on the door of my closet. It was a stunning deep-blue color that shimmered like the night’s sky, and when I reached out and touched it, I could tell it was made of the softest satin.

“Matthew got them for us.” My mom’s voice made me turn toward the door. She was standing in the entrance to my room holding an equally dazzling dress. Hers was long and red with a similar satin sheen that made it flicker like a dancing flame. It was going to look incredible on her.

“They’re amazing,” I replied. “He shouldn’t have.”

“That’s what I told him,” she said. “But he insisted. It must be a pretty fancy party.”

We decided to get ready together in my room. We rarely had a chance to dress up back home, and the last time Mom had helped me with my hair and makeup was before my junior prom last year.

I loved seeing her get dressed up too. She, on the other hand, kept shooting uncertain looks at her reflection in the mirror once she had the stunning red gown on. She looked beautiful, but I could tell she felt uncomfortable in the designer dress.

I had to cover my smile when I saw the flat shoes she’d paired with the outfit. I recognized them from home. They were a little worn, and while they matched okay, they looked slightly awkward next to the expensive gown. That was my mom though. She was always going to choose practicality and comfort over anything flashy—and I hoped that never changed.

Once I was dressed, I stared at myself in the mirror for several long moments. If I’d thought the gown Matthew had gotten me looked impressive on the hanger, that was nothing compared to how it looked now. If I had seen myself this way just a few months ago, I wouldn’t have believed my eyes. I looked so mature and elegant, especially given the way Mom had swooped up my hair.

“You look gorgeous,” she said.

“Me?” I shook my head. “You do. I’ve never seen you look so beautiful.” My mom was always gorgeous, even after a hectic day at the café, but tonight was different. It wasn’t just that her curly hair fell in perfect waves or the way her makeup accentuated her long eyelashes. It wasn’t even because of the flowing red gown Matthew had bought her. There was a twinkle in her eye I’d never seen before. I was beginning to suspect it had something to do with my father.

“Oh, I’m sure I look acceptable.” She quickly waved my compliment away, but I walked over and took her hand.

“More than acceptable. You take my breath away.”