Total pages in book: 185
Estimated words: 175455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 877(@200wpm)___ 702(@250wpm)___ 585(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 175455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 877(@200wpm)___ 702(@250wpm)___ 585(@300wpm)
Carter chuckles, his hand around my waist tightening ever so slightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll take them off you later.”
“Too late, they already disintegrated,” I tell him, cheekily.
He pulls back to smile at me, then leans in to kiss me, like he can’t quite make up his mind what he wants to do with me. I’m not used to seeing indecision on him, but that alone tells me he really is impressed. I already felt beautiful tonight, but now I’m glowing.
“Oh, don’t you two look so perfect,” my mom croons, walking over to us with her camera. “Let me get a picture of you in front of the stairs.”
Carter turns to her. “Just one second.” Turning back to me, he says, “I know you said you didn’t want a corsage, but I figured I shouldn’t show up empty-handed.” He draws a thin, square box out of his jacket pocket and informs me, “Now, my mom says you can’t have this unless I marry you, but you can borrow it for tonight.”
“This must really be something, if it requires marriage,” I comment.
Carter nods, cracking open the case. “Family jewels. Passed down a couple generations. It’s worth about the cost of a new car, so, you know, don’t take it off anywhere.”
“Whoa, wait, what?” I blink a couple times, then look down at the necklace nestled in velvet in the box. When I do, I can’t stifle a gasp. This is exactly the image that would pop up in my head if someone referred to family jewels. An incredible diamond and gold necklace set in gold sparkles up at me. It belongs on the neck of a queen, not me. It’s incredibly elegant without being too much.
I wish I had the story of the woman who was originally given this necklace. I picture a French courtesan, worshipped by a man in a much higher station. In a scandalous gesture, I picture him handing over his prized family jewels since he can’t offer her marriage, living his life with her, regardless of the rules.
It’s all terribly romantic in my head, and then Carter takes the necklace out of the box, carefully moves my hair over my shoulder, and fastens the elegant necklace around my neck.
I walk over to the large mirror on the wall so I can see how it looks, and it’s absolutely stunning. Carter looking so handsome standing beside me, me wearing his mother’s necklace and this gorgeous dress. We haven’t even left the house, and this night is already perfect.
Gazing at me in the mirror, Carter asks, “Like it?”
I touch the lovely piece, shaking my head. “Love it. I’m afraid you’re gonna have to marry me now.”
Carter chuckles, taking my hand and tugging me back toward the staircase. “Let’s get these pictures taken so I can maul you in the car.”
Carter and I pose in front of the staircase and let my mom take her pictures. Then she tells me she needs to get one of us in front of the door, and then the front porch, and then in front of the limo Carter is picking me up in. I finally cut her off before she tries to climb into the car with us.
I try not to fiddle with the necklace, but I’ve never worn something so expensive, so I feel like I’ll be checking on it all night long. My earrings feel too cheap to wear with something so grand, though, so before we get to the dance, I take them out and put them in my purse.
The dance is held in the ballroom of the nicest hotel in town. Originally, it was going to be held at the high school, but the senior class made a big push for the hotel instead. The darkened ballroom is decked out with colored lights and strings of faux diamonds hanging like waterfalls around the room. Tables are set up around the room with black and white linens, a handful of fake plastic diamonds sprinkled across the center of each table. A lot of girls are wearing shorter dresses, but I expected as much. Grace got a long gown like I did, but Kasey’s red dress barely hits mid-thigh.
I don’t really care what anyone else is wearing. I feel like I’m in my own little world with Carter, and I like it that way. Of course, our own little world gets immediately more populated when we get to the dance. Carter gravitates to the table where his friends have set up camp. The music is playing already, but no one is dancing yet. The way our school does things is sort of like a wedding—no one dances until the king and queen have had their first dance, then the floor opens up to everyone else.
“Everyone bow, the king has arrived,” Sutton announces, bowing sarcastically as Carter approaches.