Chapter Twenty-Three

In the hallway mirror, I caught my reflection. I set the tray of sushi on a small table and stared at the black maid uniform in the glass. Meredith had rented us special uniforms for the party. This was better than the gray one, but I prayed this was the last time I’d ever have to wear one.

Henry slid his arms around my waist and leaned to peer over my shoulder. “Even in a uniform, you’re still the hottest girl in the room.”

I laughed and spun around to kiss him.

He wore a red tuxedo, complete with tails, a black bow tie, matching pants, and a white shirt.

Dad wanted him to resemble a footman for the night. I adjusted his tie and smiled. “You don’t look so bad yourself. I kind of like this look on you.”

“So, I have good news?” Henry said.

“I love good news. What is it?”

“Your dad is interested in my script.”

I squealed, then covered my mouth and glanced around to make sure no one heard me. “That’s wonderful, Henry. I’m so happy for you.”

He kissed me. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Across the room, Meredith clanked a glass. “Okay, everyone. It’s almost time. Grab a glass, if you haven’t got one already.” She waved everyone to a table filled with champagne flutes.

Guests retrieved one and stepped back to watch the big screen TV on the wall.

Henry gazed into my eyes.

Tears welled in mine. This was it; the last time he would hold me. I didn’t know what I wanted more. Part of me desired to stay with him forever and forget the rest, but I peered over at my dad, now standing with an arm around Meredith. The man who raised me, who loved me through everything, I could not live without him knowing who I was. The hope would be, I could pursue Henry again. I prayed the new me would give him a chance. I traced his jaw with my finger and then swept my lips across his. “I have to go.”

“I don’t want you to.” Henry held my waist tighter.

I kissed him again. “Me, either.”

“Then don’t.”

“You know I have to.” I pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, “But I’ll find you. I promise.”

“Ten…nine…” Everyone started the countdown as the New York apple descended on the big screen. “Eight…seven…”

“I’m sorry.” I broke free from his arms, rushed out the front door, and sprinted down the steps. One of my torn shoes flew off somewhere, but I could not stop to retrieve it. I needed to reach the limo before the stroke of midnight. Once my foot hit the last step, I ran across the driveway and thrust open the limo door, just as fireworks blasted in the sky.

My fairy godmother sat regally, clearly waiting for my arrival. Her makeup and hair were flawless, as always.

I slid across the empty seat, afraid to close the door, but it slammed on its own anyway. The locks snapped in place, and I stared at the woman who had brought me so much pain and an incredible amount of joy. Loss and love—I wanted to hug her and punch her. My pulse drummed in my ears; my breath stuck in my throat as I grappled to breathe. How would this end? Did I do enough? Or would she punish me forever?

“I see you made it on time.”

Her tone sounded softer and kinder than I remembered from before. “I did.” I managed a slight grin, despite the factory of emotions rising inside me.

“Would you say that you are now a decent human being, Cynthia?”

“I believe so. Or at least, I hope to keep working on becoming one.”

The woman rested her tongue on her top lip and inclined forward.

Her expression was vacant of any real tell. Would she change me back? Did I prove myself? Who knew? I sucked in a deep breath of air, hoping to stop my pulse from galloping in my neck.

“You wonder if you did enough. If you are worthy of returning to your old life?” she asked.

I nodded, unable to speak. My vision blurred. My cheeks burned from hot tears.

“Tell me, young lady, do you think you did enough? Are you worthy to be changed back?”

I shrugged, still unable to find my voice.

“You don’t know?” One of her perfectly shaped eyebrows lifted. She puckered her lips and glared.

“I don’t know, what’s worthy?” I wheezed through the turbulent feelings. “I only know that I love my dad, and I love Henry. Either way, I win. Either way, I lose. But I know I am different, and I have to accept what happens. But ultimately, I want to go back, not for money or stuff, but just for my dad. I need to make things right with him. In truth, I’d stay in this life, if it meant I could have my father, too.”

Her mouth faded from contempt to a smile. “I’ve been watching you, Cindy, and I have to say, I am quite impressed. I honestly think you are the worst case I have ever had to deal with in over 200 years.”

“Thanks,” I said dryly.

She folded her hands and scooted forward. “But I also think you are my biggest success.”

“Really?” I couldn’t believe it. Her words warmed my heart.

“Really.” She snapped her fingers.

My clothes squeezed my torso. I glanced down to see the maid’s uniform had transformed into the blue dress from the birthday party. The ripped shoes were now replaced with my glass-rhinestone pumps. Emotion overwhelmed my chest, and I burst into sobs. “Thank you, thank you so much.”

She reached across and touched my hand. “Be good, Cindy.”

“I will. I promise.”

“I believe you.” She grinned. “Are you going to be okay?”

“I’m going to miss my best friend, Henry.” A sob choked my throat. “I know I couldn’t have made it without him. Though I’m happy to return to my dad, I’m going to miss Henry terribly.”

“I understand.” She patted my knee and grinned. “But who knows, things have a way of working themselves out.”

“It’s crazy to say this, but thank you. I got to feel true love, if only for a moment, and that made it all worth it.”

“You’re very welcome.” She winked, snapped, and then vanished.

I blinked to be sure. Yes, she was gone. I tugged on the door handle, and it surprisingly opened without a hitch. From inside the mansion came sounds of merriment as people cheered. A new year had started, and I had no idea what it would hold. I shut the limo door and inched toward the stairs, afraid to go inside. I felt alone, lost, and unsure of what would come next.

Something scraped to my left. I stopped and looked. In the dimly lit driveway, I made out Henry’s silhouette walking toward me.

“I think you dropped this.” He handed out the torn canvas shoe lost on the stairs.

I didn’t reach for it. Hot tears slid down my cheeks.

“It’s not yours?” He peered down at the ratty cloth slipper in his hand. “Because I’m in love with the woman who fits this shoe.”

“You remember me?” My pulse quickened. I dabbed at my eyes with the back of my hand.

A smile crept across his face. “What, the spoiled rich girl who likes to tell me off every chance she gets?” He reached out a thumb and wiped a tear away. “Or the crazy maid I fell in love with in the last few months?” He tossed the shoe over his shoulder and drew me in his arms.

“I don’t understand.” I choked with emotion as he kissed me. “How do you remember?”

“The fairy godmother paid me a visit last night and asked me if I wanted to remember you. I told her I did. She said she’d consider it after talking with you. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” He kissed the tip of my nose and offered me a closed-mouth grin. “Just now, she came again. With a snap of her fingers, I remembered both sides of the story.”

I brought my lips to his and kissed him passionately. Salty and wet, but the kiss was the best I’d ever had.

“Cindy?”

I heard Dad say behind me. I jumped back and grinned, my heart racing and my eyes pooling with tears. “Dad?”

“Yeah, hon. We’re getting ready to share our resolutions. Are you coming?”

I bolted toward him and wrapped my arms around him tight.

He laughed and hugged me back. “Wow, that’s some hug.”

“I love you so much, Dad. I’m so sorry I have been such a brat since Mom died. Will you ever forgive me?”

“Oh, honey. Of course. You know, I love you.” He untangled from my arms and glanced at Henry. “Now, you and your boyfriend come in, okay. I don’t want to start without you.”

“Okay, Dad. We’ll be right in.” I crossed back to Henry and folded him into a hug.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled. “Never better."