Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 26
Astrid
I see a text from Bryce that simply states Friday at six. I don’t know what I was expecting from him, but the text seems typical for a guy. Charlotte scowled when she inspected my closet, confirming what she already knew. I have nothing to wear. I don’t even bother to look again, hoping that a decent-looking dress has surfaced. The only nice thing is my coat, and I can’t wear it on a date. And I also can’t ask Charlotte to help me anymore.
I could ask Roni, but I don’t think Bryce would approve her wardrobe either. Her tight-knit dresses in reds and leopard prints definitely send a message that there will be fucking later. I’m not sending that message. I don’t intend to make it easy for Bryce anymore. Closing my eyes, I think of everyone I can ask and come up with one name.
Professor Harmon doesn’t have office hours today, so I wait after class to talk to her, and we agree on meeting after school. Perfect. I close the door after I enter her office, and I hesitate when I see her expression. Harmon actually looks thrilled to see me. I must be her comic relief for the semester. I sit in the velvet chair on the swivel base and swing back and forth while she finishes up her phone conversation.
She turns to face me. “What can I do for you, Astrid?”
“Well, I made an interesting list of pros and cons,” I reply, “but that’s not why I need help. I need to pick out a dress to wear on a date.” I meet her gaze slowly. “With Bryce Shelton.”
Harmon lifts her eyebrows in unison. “So, is he the one?”
“It’s only one date,” I reply flatly.
“True,” she says, “but the others might think he’s your favorite.”
I shake my head. “He’s the one that had the balls to ask.”
Harmon laughs as she leans back in her desk chair. “So, do you know where he’s taking you?”
I stare at the wall instead of her. “Bryce told me that he would wear a suit. And I should wear a dress.”
Harmon places her fingertip on her chin. “If I were as rich as Bryce Shelton, where would I go? What time is your date?”
“Six,” I reply.
“It’s probably not local,” Harmon answers, “He might take you to Boston. Make sure you carry enough cash to get back home. Cash works better than debit when you’re stranded.” She shifts her chair over. “Bring your chair here. Let’s look online.”
We sit side by side as Harmon types in classic black dress. “Do you have a coat?”
“I have a camel coat,” I answer.
She shakes her head. “You need a coat that will match your dress. And a purse and shoes and a piece of jewelry.”
I sigh. “It sounds expensive to date.”
Harmon frowns at the thumbnails on the screen. “It is when you have other things to do with your money.”
“Do you think I should’ve said no?” I ask sheepishly.
Harmon lets out a burst of laughter. “I think you should go and have fun and maybe stop worrying about the future. The only time you should say no is when he wants sex. It’s the first date. Are you using birth control?”
I don’t have the nerve to tell Harmon we’ve touched. I’d tell my mother before I tell her. “I started taking the pill but have condoms as a backup.”
She smiles, clicking on a picture. “Good girl.”
“My mother would have my head cracked open to see if I had a brain if I got pregnant,” I scoff, “She was a single mother and didn’t want to see me have to repeat her life.”
“I wouldn’t have minded having a child,” replies Harmon softly, “but that’s doubtful now.”
“You’re not that old,” I blurt out.
Harmon laughs as I bite my lip. “Thanks, but there are medical reasons, and I’d have to rely on a sperm bank. It would be a nightmare to find out later that the sperm donor attended Stonehaven.”
I gawk, and she laughs at me. “They do that here?”
“People are resourceful when they need money,” she replies, “but don’t want to put in the hours to earn it. This dress would look lovely on you.” The simple dress is on the Nordstrom website for less than two hundred dollars. It’s a simple black dress with a boat-neck collar and a low back.
My gaze is glued to it. “That’s pretty classy.”
“Did your father give you a credit card?” she asks.
“No, but he put money in my account,” I reply, “I had to explain to him that I was paying rent.”
Harmon shakes her head, adding the dress to the cart. “You mean the rent fairy didn’t pay it for you?”
We look at shoes and purses, all in black. It’s hard to tell what they would actually look like, but I have time to exchange them if I need to.
“I figured out the numbers I would need to start my business,” I tell her as we gaze at the screen.
“Good. And do you have people to help you?”
“I think I do,” I reply.
Harmon hits enter, and the purchases are confirmed for delivery in two days.
“I want you to have fun while Bryce Shelton learns a lesson.” She reaches out and hugs me. I sink into the hug, thinking about how much I miss being held like this. Holding onto Mom when I needed to feel that it would be okay.
