He winks at Molly and smiles broadly. “I’ve got the most wonderful news. At least, I hope you’ll think it’s wonderful.”
Molly makes an excuse about finding Rosa and quickly leaves as Freddie reaches into his jacket and pulls out a narrow black-velvet box. I take it and carefully open the lid to find a delicate gold bracelet accented all around by what look like small diamonds.
“It’s too much,” I say, and he takes it from my hands and fastens it around my wrist.
“I couldn’t resist when I saw it. I had to get it for you.”
Turning my arm, I watch the rainbow reflection it casts. My eyes go to Freddie’s happy gray ones, and I force a smile. “What’s your news?”
“I spoke to my sister Annemarie, and she is thrilled at the idea of having you and your sister stay with her. She has a few preparations to make, but then we could leave here as soon as you like.”
A knot closes in my throat. The pain of my fight with Mark is still so fresh, I’m not sure I can be convincing in my answer. Still, I push it all down again and hold it down before my runaway emotions ruin everything.
I slip out of Freddie’s arms and turn away, stepping over to my dressing table. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
He closes the distance between us quickly, clutching my upper arms in his hands. I feel the heat of his body at my back. “It’s what I’ve dreamed of for months. Even more in these last few days since we talked.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting the pain of what’s coming and what it will mean. “It’s wonderful news. Like I said, I’ve always wanted to go to Paris.”
“And I can’t tell you how happy I am to be the one to take you.” He pulls me into his embrace and speaks at my temple. “I know I’ve said this before, but I still hope one day you might think of me as something more than a friend. Perhaps with time…”
My eyes sting, and my feelings for Mark burn in my chest. I’ll shed my tears for him at a later date, when everything is settled and we’re safe.
And I’m alone.
Molly’s safety is more important than my fairytale ending, which was probably never going to happen anyway.
I inhale a sobering breath and take a step, lifting his hand for the first time in mine. “You’ve been so good to me. I hope one day I’ll be able to repay your kindness.”
He traces a line along my cheek. “Those words are enough for now.”
Leaning forward, he lightly kisses my lips before turning to go. I watch him disappear through the door and lean my head against the doorjamb, holding back tears.
Molly steps up looking sorrowful. “Oh, Lara.”
“What?” I sniff and raise my chin.
“If we leave, you’ll never see Mark again.”
It’s a stab to my battered heart, but I swallow the lump of misery in my throat. “Never is a long time.” I go to my table and sit, reaching for my packet of cleansing wipes and scrubbing off my makeup. I grab a tissue to wipe away the dampness that has sneaked out of my eyes. I will not cry.
“But you love Mark.”
Our eyes meet in the mirror and for a moment it’s only us. The two of us looking into the face of my decision. I turn away again.
“This is about our future and taking care of us. And anyway, I’d expect you to be happy about it.”
She rushes over and leans on the dressing table. “So you’ve started to like Freddie a little? Is that it?”
I think about her question and about my answer. “Yes,” I lie.
She frowns, moving away and shaking her head. “I don’t believe you. And I don’t understand you!”
“Because you’re just a kid.” My voice is flat.
“You’re just a kid!” she shouts back.
“I’m twenty now.” And I repeat the words Roland says to me, but with far less confidence. “You have to trust me.”
Evie is the first person I see when I step out onto the roof. A breeze is blowing, and the twilight sky is a mix of pink, amber, light blue, and purple. The fall night is cool and smells of sweet wood fires and approaching rain.
“Happy birthday, darling,” she says as she rushes across the space to embrace me. She’s wearing an expensive burnt-orange silk dress with a beige open-knit sweater draped across her shoulders. It’s tied closed with a black satin bow, and I recognize it from the window of Celeste’s Couture when I was out with Freddie. I don’t know much about fashion, but I know Celeste’s is one of the most expensive boutiques in the city. I suddenly feel very casual in my jeans and long-sleeved black sweater.
“You’re beautiful,” I say.
Evie has always been so plain, but somehow in the dim light, in the shimmering dress, she’s part of the setting sun. She smiles and looks down at her dress. “I’m not sure that’s true, but thanks.”
We clasp hands as she leads me across the rooftop to where Molly waits with Rosa. Roland is beside them fiddling with a champagne cork.
Molly runs to me and puts her arm around my waist. A popping noise comes from where Roland stands, and everyone cheers and claps as he pours glasses for each of us. He walks over and puts an arm across my shoulders, handing me a glass. Molly walks away with Evie.
“To sweet sixteen,” he says with a wink, clinking a cheers with me before draining his glass. “I’m only joking. Twenty is a good age. I remember being up here with you when I turned twenty.”
“Don’t.” My face grows hot.
“Why? You were adorable.” He pulls me closer to him. “Your crush was one of the sweetest times of my life. You’re the only girl I’ve ever kissed.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You’d better.” He pours us both another glass of champagne. “And how are things going with the dashing Mr. Lovel?”
I push away and walk to the ledge, clasping my arms over my waist. “You were right. Freddie’s nice and rich and he’ll take us far away from here. With Freddie we’ll never have to be afraid again.”
I say the words more for me than in answer to Roland’s question.
“You can’t say what will never happen.” Roland leans against the wall beside me. After a few moments of silence he adds. “I invited Mark. I don’t know where he is, but he knew.”
It hurts to hear that, but I swallow the pain as I’ve been doing. “He knows we can’t be together.”
Roland takes another drink. “Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn’t.”
I lift my glass of wine and down the entire contents at once.
“Not smart,” he says. Then he takes my empty and goes to where Molly and Evie stand with Rosa.
He puts another glass in my hand, but my head feels fuzzy from drinking the first one too fast. Everyone is lifting a toast to me now, so I’m obliged to participate. I take a few sips and listen to the conversations and the laughter. The tears that have been my constant companion lately are a distant memory. In fact, I’m not feeling much of anything at the moment.
I watch Molly try to dance with Roland and smile as everyone laughs. Before I know it, Roland is with me again saying it’s time to go to bed.
“Morning comes early, you know.” He touches my arm, and I nod.