I love that color on you.” My mother nodded her approval.
I swished back and forth in front of the dressing-room mirror while the big pink dress moved around my legs. We’d been trying on prom dresses all morning at my mother’s favorite department store at the mall.
I met Emily’s gaze in the mirror. “What do you think, Em?”
“I don’t know.” Emily was still wearing the green dress she’d gravitated toward as soon as we’d walked into the formal section of the store.
I spun and faced her. “Yes, you do know, and I want your opinion. What do you think?”
Emily pointed toward a lighter-pink, strapless dress hanging on the door to the dressing room. “I like that one better.”
“Hmm.” Mom tapped her chin and walked over to the dress. “I don’t know, Whitney. If Brett asks you to the prom, then you’ll have to see what color cummerbund and vest he decides to wear. That color might be difficult to match.” She touched the hanging dress and then examined the price tag.
Emily hit my arm, and I turned to her. She mouthed the word Brett with horror on her face, and I shook my head, warning her not to say a word.
My mother examined the dress for a few more minutes, and I kept my eyes on her to avoid Emily’s stares. “Well, you can always tell him just to wear basic black.” Mom turned to Emily. “Is that the dress you want, dear?”
Emily held the tag in her hand. “I love it, but have you seen the price?” The hunter-green dress was plain but elegant. It was short-sleeved and came to her knees.
“Oh, don’t be silly!” Mom waved off the question. “This is your senior prom. You should be able to have any dress you want. You look stunning, Emily. I can just imagine Zander’s face when he sees you in it.”
Emily looked at her reflection and touched one of her curls. “You think he’ll like it?”
I laughed at her. “You’re so modest, Emily. You’re gorgeous.”
Emily turned around. “Okay. It’s settled.”
“Fine.” My mother moved toward the door. “You two get changed, and I’ll be out here looking at the shoes.” She disappeared through the dressing-room doorway, and Emily grabbed my arm with such force that I yelped.
“What were you thinking?” Emily eyed me with shock. “You didn’t tell your mother you’re going to the prom with Taylor?”
“Shh!” I took her arm and pulled her back into the dressing room, where I’d left my jeans and shirt. “I can’t risk her hearing you,” I whispered.
“Why did you lie?”
“I didn’t lie. She backed me into a corner and asked me who I was going to the prom with, and I told her I didn’t have a date yet. She’s only assuming Brett will ask me, and I haven’t corrected her. I haven’t really lied. I’ve just not told her the whole truth.”
“That’s still lying, Whitney.”
“I didn’t have a choice. She’d never let me go with Taylor.”
“But what if Brett finds out?”
“I never said I was going with Brett. Besides, his parents are in Europe for two weeks, so my mom won’t have a chance to say anything to his mom. No one will know.”
“But what if Taylor finds out? He’ll be hurt if he knows you weren’t brave enough to tell your mother you’re going to the prom with him.”
“How will Taylor know?”
Emily shook her head. “When you leave for the prom, silly!”
“Shh,” I cautioned her. “We can all meet at your house.”
“But your mom will want to take photos. This is a monumental occasion. She’s going to figure it out.”
“Hmm.” I tapped my chin. “Let me think about this for a minute.” I snapped my fingers. “I got it. I’ll let my mom think I don’t have a date, and then the night before the prom, I’ll say that Taylor was able to get the night off work, and he asked me to go with him as a friend. She can’t say no if I have the dress, shoes, and purse, can she?”
Emily slowly shook her head. “I don’t know, Whitney.”
“Hey, Mom lifted my grounding and gave me my phone back a week early.” I pulled my phone from my purse. “She’s so happy I want to go to the prom, even though I supposedly don’t have a date. I made her happy, so I know I did the right thing.”
“Your mom isn’t stupid. She’s going to figure it out.”
“It will work out. Trust me.” I turned so she could unzip my dress. “I know what I’m doing.”
“I hope so.” Emily’s words were full of doubt.
Emily and I changed back into our jeans and shirts and then met my mother over by the shoes. We picked out shoes and purses that complemented our dresses, and then Mom paid.
We stowed our purchases in Mom’s SUV and then ate Chinese food in the food court while we talked about everything from Mom’s prom memories to graduation plans. I found myself glancing toward the bookstore at the end of the corridor and longing to go in and see Taylor. I just needed to find an excuse.
After finishing lunch, the three of us made our way down the corridor in the direction of the bookstore.
My mother stopped in front of the jewelry store and touched Emily’s arm. “Do you know what jewelry you’re going to wear with the dress?”
Emily touched her locket that Zander had given her for Valentine’s Day. “I’m not certain. I was thinking about my mother’s pearls.”
Mom pointed toward the store. “May I buy you a pair of earrings to go with them?”
“Oh, no, Aunt Darlene. You’ve already spent too much.” Emily shook her head. “I couldn’t accept anything else from you.”
“Don’t be silly, dear. You’re my niece.” Mom took Emily’s arm and tugged her toward the store.
I hung back as they walked away.
Mom turned to me. “Whitney? Are you coming with us?”
I shook my head and pointed toward the bookstore. “I was going to run into the bookstore. I’m looking for a new mystery to read. I promise I’ll make it quick.”
My mom hesitated and then nodded. “Fine, dear. We’ll come find you when we’re done.”
Emily gave me a warning look before heading toward the store with my mom in tow.
I rushed into the bookstore and weaved through the aisles until I found Taylor stocking shelves in the back. I snuck up behind him and placed my hands over his eyes.
He stiffened, grabbed my hands, and spun, facing me. “Whitney?”
“Hey.” I grinned. “I only have a couple of minutes.”
“What are you doing here?” He studied me with confusion. “I mean, I’m thrilled to see you, but I’m surprised.”
“My mom, Emily, and I are here shopping for prom dresses. We just finished lunch.” I touched his hand. “I can’t wait until you see my dress. I hope you like it.”
“I’m certain I will.”
“Guess what color it is.”
He glanced down at my shirt. “Pink?”
“Am I that transparent?” I pulled my phone from my purse. “Look at what I got back this morning.”
“That’s awesome. I’ve missed our good-night text messages.”
“Yeah. I have too.”
He reached out and touched my hair. “Have I told you I love the color?”
I turned my face toward his hand. “You have, but I like hearing it.”
His fingers moved down my cheekbone, and I smiled up at him. I was lost in the moment until I realized I was running out of time.
“Oh no.” I took his hand in mine. “My mom and Emily are going to come looking for me. I’m supposed to be looking for a book.”
“What book?”
“What are you stocking?” I glanced down and found a murder mystery by an author I’d heard was excellent. “How about this?”
“I heard it was pretty good, but I haven’t read it.”
“I’ll take it.” I moved up onto my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his. “I have to run. Text me later.” I started down the aisle.
“You bet I will,” he called after me.
I reached the cashier just as my mother and Emily were stepping into the store. I paid for the book and then headed out toward the exit with my mother and Emily. My cousin gave me a relieved expression.
I pointed toward the small bag she held with the jewelry store’s logo on it. “What did you get?”
“Your mom insisted on buying me the most beautiful pearl earrings.” She looked up at Mom. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, Emily.” To my surprise, Mom moved between us and looped her arms around our shoulders. “I had a lovely time, girls. We must do this again.”
“Thank you, Mom,” I said.
“This was a blast,” Emily said as we crossed the parking lot. “Shopping with my dad isn’t half as fun as this.”
We approached the SUV, and Mom unlocked the doors. “I’m glad I’m more fun than my brother.”
“Oh, absolutely, Aunt Darlene. Hands down, you’re more fun.” Emily climbed into the backseat.
I hopped into the front passenger seat and closed my eyes as my smile deepened. I was so very happy. It seemed as if everything was working out. My mom was happy, I was going to the prom with Taylor, and I’d had a fun day with my cousin. I silently prayed life would stay this perfect. However, I couldn’t get Emily’s warning out of my head. What if Mom or Taylor found out I’d lied about prom?
I pushed the thought away. No one would find out. Only Emily and I would know the truth. After all, how would anyone find out?