Page 34 of Third Time Lucky

LUCY

Have you ever thought about cloud nine and what it might feel like? Well, I think I’m there and it’s fantastical. Glitter blows in the wind as the sun warms you and everything is light, breezy and hopeful. Pretty sure this is my first time here ever.

Tonight, Ash made tandoori chicken sliders, and I ate three. Yep. There’s no shame; I should have worn the leggings.

Now, Mitzi has retired to her room to continue her show, leaving just Asher and me in the kitchen while he preps for tomorrow. The smell of food fills the space, but it’s the lingering taste of our first kiss that I crave the most.

We haven’t talked about it, but I see it in his eyes every time he looks my way. I wouldn’t doubt that he’s noticed I’ve touched up my lips three times since he got here with my La Mer lip volumizer. Am I begging for another? Maybe.

He’s got me slicing vegetables again, but the tension between us, is like a live wire crackling in the air.

As he reaches across me to grab a knife, the brief brush of his arm sends a shiver through me.

I can feel his eyes on me, burning into my skin, making me feel exposed and vulnerable in the most delicious way possible.

Each moment stretches taut like a rubber band on the verge of snapping.

‘Go on a date with me,’ he says suddenly, setting his knife on the island with a clatter. ‘Just me, no Aaron or Madi, no Mitzi or Brandon, just us.’

I glance up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. His intense gaze searches mine for any hint of hesitation. With a shaky breath, I nod slowly, a rush of excitement and nerves flooding through me.

Please, Luce, don’t cut off your finger right now . I slow my chopping just to be safe.

‘OK,’ I reply. ‘Just us. I’d like that.’

‘I’ll plan everything,’ he says, the corners of his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

‘Text me the details,’ I say, mirroring his expression.

Even the idea of being alone with him again is like being suspended in a cloud of bubbles, maybe it’s cloud ten?

I dunno. But each one pops with a burst of sparkling excitement as my heart flutters like a hummingbird’s wings.

My vision blurs with happiness, making the whole kitchen seem brighter – because of him.

Why can’t I stop smiling? God, my face is probably lit up like a carnival ride.

An actual date with Asher Wright. I’ve never been more excited for anything in my entire life.

* * *

‘He asked you on a date? Just the two of you?’ Madi’s voice is enthusiastic, making it clear how excited she is about this news.

As soon as Ash left, I had to call someone and tell them before I burst. I’ll never be able to sleep tonight. A smile is plastered on my face, and it’s so ridiculous I’m avoiding looking at the small video of myself in the corner of the screen.

Suppress the giggle bubbling inside you, Lucy. You’re not fifteen. Just answer the question.

I inhale deeply, trying to calm my nerves.

‘Just us,’ I confirm, a wave of anticipation in my stomach.

Madi’s eyes sparkle with curiosity as she leans in toward her phone. ‘What are your thoughts on that?’

‘I’m anxious, and wondery, and nervous, and my insides are filled with a swirling mass of confetti, ready to burst out at any moment.’

‘How very detailed. Want to know something?’ she asks.

‘Sure.’

‘The confetti thing, that’s pretty much how Aaron makes me feel. Shhhh,’ she lifts a single finger to her lips.

‘Really?’ I ask, my curiosity piqued. ‘And not just when you’re on top of him in the back seat of his car?’

She gasps. ‘You saw?’

‘Not because I wanted to. More because you were in my line of sight while watching the movie.’

A giggle escapes her lips. ‘You caught me,’ she confesses. ‘Just like we caught you two! And yes, especially in that moment,’ she admits with a guilty grin.

Yes, they saw us kiss. But I don’t care. I hope they see it again. As a payback.

She nods. ‘I realized at the bubble dance that despite being a bit of a wildcard – it’s part of what makes him fun. He’s got a soft side that I could be falling for…’

‘Falling? Like into a pit of despair or love?’

‘I think, love? Maybe? I dunno.’

‘He’s a little rough around the edges,’ I remind her.

‘I think maybe I could be the right woman to smooth those internal edges.’

‘You’re going to attempt taming a wild stallion?’ I ask, arching an eyebrow skeptically at Madi’s bold suggestion.

The idea of taming men is nothing but a myth perpetuated by women. It doesn’t work. In no world can I picture Aaron, the handsome yet reckless playboy, being tamed by the equally wild and carefree Madi. It seems like a plot straight out of a romantic comedy.

I let out a small laugh, unable to hide my doubt.

‘Well, I wish you luck with that.’

Madi grins. ‘There’s just something about him, Luce. I see beyond the bravado and fuckboy charm. There’s a fragility hidden underneath that mask that no one else seems to notice. I want to see it more clearly.’

‘I truly hope you’re right.’

I’m startled out of my thoughts by a light tapping on my open bedroom door. I turn to see Mitzi, wearing her housecoat, standing in the doorway.

‘Hi,’ I greet her, flashing the phone her way. ‘Say hi to Mitzi, Madi.’

‘Hi, Mitzi! Did you hear the news? Asher finally asked our Lucy out!’

Mitzi’s face lights up with a broad smile, her laugh lines deepening and wrinkles forming around her eyes. ‘I overheard that,’ she confesses with a grin.

‘You did?’ God, I can’t imagine what it looked like from the outside looking in.

‘Yes, I was standing in the hall listening,’ she says as if she does it all the time.

‘It’s why I’m here, dear. I thought maybe you could use some help picking an outfit.

He’s seen enough of your stretchy options.

You need something that says, “Yes, I’m effortlessly gorgeous, and I’ve never even tried. ”’

I laugh.

‘Ooh, yes, let’s pick an outfit!’ Madi says with excitement.

Mitzi claps her hands together like a kid on Christmas morning, taking my phone from my hand as she begins rummaging through my closet.

She talks to Madi as she pulls out various pieces of clothing, scattering them onto the bed.

I try to protest, but it’s too late – half of my wardrobe is already on display.

‘How about the slinky black dress?’ Madi asks as Mitzi holds up a dress I haven’t worn in ages.

‘Uh— no,’ I say, shaking my head. ‘I got engaged in that dress.’

This is that little piece that sticks with me – the memories. I can’t shake them because they’re everywhere. How do I get rid of them?

‘Ick! Burn it with fire,’ Madi exclaims, causing Mitzi to toss it onto the floor like hot, contaminated, toxic garbage.

‘Ooooh! You know what we should do? Have a dress burning of the wedding kind. I know you still have it, and the thing is cursed. It’s only bringing you bad luck with the memories that hit you every time you see it hanging in your crowded closet. ’

Mitzi tilts her head, giving me an interested look.

‘You want to burn a ten-thousand-dollar wedding dress?’ I ask Madi in shock.

‘Do you remember when you asked about regifting engagement rings?’ Mitzi responds.

I nod.

‘The same rules apply to wedding dresses. Madison’s right: it may well be cursed. How does one release a curse? Back in my day, it was with fire.’

‘Mitzi?’ I ask curiously. ‘You’ve burned some things in your lifetime, haven’t you?’

She chuckles. ‘Everything but buildings, dear.’

‘I guess we’ll be having a boy burning bonfire then,’ I say.

‘This is going to be fun!’ Madi says. ‘And Mitzi, you should write a novel about your life.’

‘I prefer to keep some things a mystery,’ she replies, meandering into my closet and dragging out the wedding dress I’ve been avoiding since I put it there.

She drops it onto the floor, along with the engagement dress.

‘When you do it, I’ll ensure my lawn guy is on standby with a hose in case things get too wild.

And please, girls, do not post any evidence on social media.

I wouldn’t want to upset Pnina. Is there anything else we need to take care of, darling?

’ She glances back at my closet as she asks.

I nod slowly and walk inside, dragging out the suitcase I never bothered to unpack from my trip to Vegas. In my arms, I also carry a box filled with trinkets and souvenirs from Brandon, every gift he had ever given me except for the jewelry – which I will pawn just because.

‘Might as well toss in these too…’ I say, stacking things on the growing pile.

Mitzi furrows her brows. ‘Perhaps I should inquire about a burn permit from the city, just in case.’

The only thing left to do is pick a date for the bonfire. Hopefully, fire can kill what’s left of this demon.