Page 41 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Katie

It’s finally time for our costume fittings. I’ve been waiting for this moment since I got the role of Belle. I mean, who doesn’t want to wear a gorgeous golden gown?

We’re all gathered in the costume room waiting to receive our costumes.

My eyes slip to Eric, who stands a few feet away from me.

His face lights up when he catches my eyes, a smile conquering his lips.

He and I…we’ve been inseparable since our talk yesterday afternoon.

I know, it’s only been a day, but it feels like a lifetime.

In some ways, it feels like I’ve known Eric my whole life.

We haven’t hidden our relationship from anyone. We hold hands in the halls and our fingers were interlocked as we made our way to theater practice. The cast and crew noticed immediately, and they’re all happy for us.

The costume department brings out the costumes. They hand me my blue and white dress and I go to a private area to change. It looks perfect . Gosh, I can’t wait for opening night next weekend!

Then a girl from the costume department, Chloe, carries in the huge dress. My jaw hits the floor when I take it in. It has to be the most gorgeous golden gown I’ve ever seen in my life. The design is so detailed and intricate. It looks like a dress fit for royalty.

“This must have taken you days,” I say.

Chloe laughs. “Pretty much. I’ll help you put it on.”

My heart speeds up as the soft fabric touches my skin. I can’t believe this is happening. My dreams are actually coming true.

She zips it up and fixes the bottom. Then she smiles at me. “You look beautiful.”

I walk over to the full-length mirror, careful not to trip over the dress. Chloe rushes over and slides a loop over my wrist, which is attached to the dress. It lifts the dress a few inches off the ground so I could walk better. And dance. Can’t forget the dance.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I’m not wearing the wig, but I look…wow, I look like Belle.

My face flushes as I take myself in. Tears prick my eyes.

Chloe laughs softly. “I know.”

“The dress is gorgeous.” I wrap my arms around her. “You did an amazing job.”

“Thanks. You should probably go out on the stage and see if you can walk. We can still make adjustments. And maybe you should dance with Eric? Just to make sure everything’s okay.”

I nod and walk out of the dressing room, onto the stage.

A hush falls over everyone. They gawk at me like they’ve never seen something so lovely before.

My neck heats up, and then my gaze falls on Eric. He stares at me like…like I’m the most beautiful girl he’s ever laid eyes upon.

“All these costumes are amazing,” Miss Diaz says. “Let’s give a round of applause to our costume department.”

We clap and cheer.

I float over to Eric, who continues staring at me like I’m a dream.

“Stop,” I say with a laugh.

“Katie, you look…wow.”

My face flushes again. “Thanks. Um, Chloe suggested we dance for a bit. Just to make sure I’m comfortable in the dress.”

“Sure.” He steps closer and places a hand on my waist. He slips his free hand in mine, eyes staring into mine. We carefully glide around the stage, my dress whooshing in different directions.

“It’ll take a little getting used to,” he says with a laugh as he looks down at the bottom of the dress. “It’s so poofy.”

“I know.”

We continue dancing, our eyes locked on each other.

“I feel like a princess,” I say.

“You are…you’re my princess. My queen.” His eyebrows furrow. “That was a little dorky, wasn’t it?”

I chuckle. “Maybe a little. But I love it. I love everything about you.”

He presses his cheek to mine as we continue sweeping across the stage. “And I love everything about you.”

***

I texted my dad two hours ago to come home early because I need to talk to him. Now I sit on the couch, wringing my hands in my lap.

He didn’t respond to my text, so I have no idea if I’m waiting for nothing. If he doesn’t come…I don’t want to think about how much it’ll hurt me.

To busy myself and bring a smile to my face, I think about Eric and how happy he makes me. I know it’s way too early to say this, but I know he’s the right one for me. We’ve been through so much together and understand each other. I can’t imagine being with anyone else.

Does that mean…do I love Eric Palmer?

The thought might have freaked me out in the past, but right now…it doesn’t. Maybe a little, because my heart hasn’t fully healed, but I also feel excited. Hopeful. Because I met the sweetest guy in the world, and he makes me so happy. Sometimes I pinch myself to check if I’m dreaming.

My body perks up when keys jingle outside. My shoulders sag in relief when Dad walks through the door. He does care.

“Katie?” he calls as he rushes into the living room, eyes a little frantic. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assure him. “I just…um, I need to talk to you.”

Relief passes over his face as he lowers himself near me.

Every part of me beats with nerves. Now that he’s here…I don’t know if I can open up to him. But I need to.

“So…” I play with my hair. “I just want to talk about…um…us. Me, you. Mom.”

His body stiffens and pain flashes in his eyes.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Dad,” I say as tears sting my eyes. “I just…I don’t want to lose you, too.”

He stares at me with a puzzled look. “Lose me?”

“You’re never here. You hardly talk to me. You shut down whenever I bring Mom up.”

His eyes snap shut as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Katie, you know I love you. But I can’t talk about your mother.”

“Why not? I know it’s painful. It’s painful for me, too.

We both loved her so much. But don’t you want to keep her memory alive?

We’re the only two people who can do that.

Dad, please don’t shut me out. The last three months have been so hard, but it’s been even harder because I felt like I was losing you, too. ”

He slowly lifts his eyes to mine.

“I tried to talk to you a few times, but you always pushed me away. I’ll be graduating in two years and leaving for college. If we don’t fix our relationship…Dad, I don’t want us to be strangers. But if you keep shutting me out…we might be.”

He stares at me for a long time, a whole lot of emotions passing over his face.

“Sweetie, I had no idea you felt that way.” He moves closer and wraps me in his arms. “The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I love you so much. I was selfish and only thinking of myself. But I need to put you first, because you are the most important person in my life.” He pulls back to look at me, tears in his eyes.

“I just…I just miss her so much.” The tears splash down his cheeks.

“I don’t know if I can be the dad you need me to be. I’m not strong enough.”

“Of course you are,” I assure him. “You’re stronger than you think. And you don’t have to do this alone. I’m here.”

He gives me a sad smile. “I appreciate that, sweetie, but I don’t want to put that burden on you.

I think the best thing for me is to get professional help.

The last thing I want is to lose you, too.

” He encloses me in his arms and kisses my cheek.

“Thanks so much for telling me how you feel. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner and that I put you through all this pain. ”

“It’s okay, Dad. I was nervous to talk to you about it, but my boyfriend encouraged me not to give up.”

He slowly pulls away and gapes at me. “Boyfriend?”

“Oh,” I say with a laugh. “I have a boyfriend, Dad. And he’s amazing.”

He frowns with a painful expression. “I’ve missed so much of your life. I’m so sorry, Katie.”

“It’s okay.” I hug him. “All that matters is that we won’t miss any more of each other’s lives.”