Chapter 32 — April

I asked Stephanie one more time as I stood by the doorway and managed to somehow after downing four espressos, getting showered, dressed, and Vanessa who still refused to put on any clothes as she did my make-up.

“I look good right, presentable?”

She laughed. “You look like someone who’s going to a wedding and going to get her man and forget this ridiculous idea of leaving us, girl. That’s what you look like!”

Vanessa nodded. “You can’t leave us. You can’t leave me with Stephanie.”

I smiled at the idea for the first time since I’d been here, I’d felt wanted and there was this need to stay even though I was still jobless and homeless.

“We have it all sorted. You can move in with me and then once Stephanie's married you can take over her room.”

“Really?” I asked thinking I didn’t deserve their kindness.

“Yeah, really. Now, go!”

I turned around as Stephanie pushed the empty purse which matched my yellow lace dress into my hands. I bought this dress with them and I hated to admit I’d never owned anything as beautiful as this back-less, knee-length pleated dress. It made me feel like a princess going to a ball. A princess who was homeless and jobless, yeah, I fit the bill.

I walked out of the door and looked in my empty purse to see a pack of Kleenex and a condom. I held it up and Vanessa gave me a wink. “You never know.”

I shoved it back in my purse and headed to the door, feeling my cheeks grow hot. I didn’t know what was waiting for me downstairs, but the idea Luke had come to take me to the wedding could mean that we had a chance. All was probably not forgiven, but he’d kept the opportunity for us to be together, even if it was just for today.

My heart skipped a beat as I pressed the bell of the elevator and within seconds it appeared. I stepped in thinking about whether to have a conversation with him as I adjusted my hat. It was the same pattern as my dress, a little over the top, I thought at the time but now the idea of stunning Luke made it seem well worth it.

The doors opened and for some reason, it felt as if the ride down was a little faster than normal, maybe because I was so nervous. I adjusted everything on my body, from my sunglasses to my dress. I nearly tripped out of the elevator rather than elegantly step out of it. I needed to calm down and seeing the new doorman reading his dirty magazine, which he seemed to do all the time from this building.

I asked him once and he confessed, “Ï can’t do it at home. My mom will kill me.”

I shook my head as he replied, not wanting to know his age or the idea he felt it was better to read the magazine at work, rather than the privacy of his own home. Men!

Luke was outside standing by the limo. I was happy he couldn’t see my eyes, which were probably bloodshot from the lack of sleep and something kept hitting me in the face while I was on the sofa. I didn't know what it was, but it didn't smell good and the more I tried to get rid of it the more, it hit me in the face.

Anyway, it was in the past. Luke opened the door of the building and walked by my side. No longer did I feel nervous. It was as if I was where I was supposed to be, and everything about it felt right.

“You ready, my lady?”

I smiled, as he opened the limo door. “More than ever.”