44

“And there you are, all glammed up!" Jessy cooed excitedly as she helped me apply some cherry-scented lip gloss. She drew back to let me stand and take a full look at myself in her vanity mirror and I gasped, tongue-tied.

The gold-colored, short, sequinned dress she'd lent me stuck to my body like a second skin, the sharp slit at the side exposing my shiny, porcelain thighs. My hair was rolled up into a curt bun, and a glittering tiara was balanced on my head with studded diamonds. Jessy had also given me her personal crystal bangles and expensive necklace. I felt like a midnight queen. The gown was strapless, and my makeup was completely top-notch. I was buzzing with nerves and happiness. I'd never looked so... glorious and to think it'd taken the whole day for me to get ready. I hadn't caught a glimpse of Max since the day started, and I knew he missed me as well.

I turned to her with tears streaming down my eyes. I didn't care if it would ruin my makeup or not. “I can't even — ”

Sh