Winter White

by Jen Calonita

  What could Dylan be up to now? And what did she mean by telling her to keep going when she reached the bottom of the stairs? Why wouldn’t she keep going? At that point, the only thing that would stop her is if the entire ballroom turned into zombies. Hmm… some of the people in Emerald Cove kind of already were.

  “There’s a welcome smile,” she heard her dad say when she found him lined up with the other fathers. “You look beautiful, Isabelle.”

  “Thanks,” she said, and stuffed the note inside her muff.

  He held out a small box. “I brought you a corsage.”

  She opened the box. The wristlet was made up of hydrangeas and baby’s breath. It looked similar to the one he had given her at her first event in Emerald Cove. That felt so long ago. “It’s beautiful,” Izzie said. She slid it over her white-gloved hand and admired the blooms. “Have you seen Mira?”

  He shook his head. “Ms. Norberry told me that you will make your debut third, and Mira will make hers last, since she is the cotillion speaker. That will give me time to get back upstairs.” He had another floral box under his arm. “I have a corsage for her, too, if she’ll wear it. Pea hasn’t worn one since the sixth grade, but maybe she’ll make an exception tonight.”

  “I have a feeling she will,” Izzie said.

  “We’re starting!” Ms. Norberry ran down the line, yelling in a whisper. “We’re starting! Mrs. Townsend is starting!”

  “Good evening,” Mrs. Townsend’s velvety voice crackled from a speaker above them. “I’d like to welcome you to the Winter White Cotillion Ball, presented by the Emerald Cove Junior League. Tonight’s cotillion will benefit the Emerald Cove Charity League.” There was polite applause from the bottom of the staircase. That’s when Izzie got nervous.

  Her mind was full of questions. Was she really allowing herself to be presented to society like a made-up Barbie doll? In front of so many people who couldn’t stand her? Was she going to stand by and watch Savannah do the fox-trot with Brayden? Hadn’t she been hurt enough?

  Izzie glanced at her father. He had taken her elbow and was leading her to the stairs. Savannah was a few girls behind her, but neither Izzie nor her dad turned around. Izzie suspected it would be a while before Mr. Ingram had the nerve to speak to her dad again.

  She thought about everything the Monroes had done for her since she came to Emerald Cove. They had given her so much to be thankful for. They weren’t perfect, but neither was she. She owed them this, escort or no escort. No guts, no glory, as her mom would say.

  “I am pleased to present to you this year’s cotillion class, the debutante daughters of Emerald Cove.” More applause.

  What if she tripped?

  “Lauren Salbrook, daughter of Beatrice and Parker Salbrook the fourth, escorted by Teagan Adams the third…”

  What if she couldn’t curtsy in this slim-fitting gown?

  “Lea Price, daughter of Vera and Elton Jonathan Price the second, escorted by Teddy Darcy…”

  What if this stupid flower fell out of her hair during her first dance with Hayden? What if Hayden wasn’t waiting at the bottom of the stairs?

  “Ready?” Her dad’s hazel eyes were warm.

  Izzie took a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She just hoped this stupid green eye shadow didn’t melt off.

  “Isabelle Scott, daughter of Chloe Scott and Bill Monroe…”

  For a moment, her feet felt like Jell-O. They had said her mom’s name, here in Emerald Cove. Of course they would, she thought, feeling stupid. And yet hearing Mrs. Townsend mention her mom among all these strangers, haters, and a few new friends somehow comforted her. As they descended the steps, her thoughts were no longer on the beautiful scene below. They were on her mom. It was as if her mom was watching over her right then, letting her know it was okay to do something she wouldn’t have done in a million years. Izzie was so wrapped up in her emotions, she almost missed the rest of Mrs. Townsend’s introduction.

  “… escorted by.” There was the slightest of pauses, but Izzie heard it. What was wrong? Was Mrs. Townsend about to nix her whole debut over some glitch in her debutante training? She had done everything they asked of her! She’d fox-trotted, curtsied, given all her free time to a nursing home, practiced conversational techniques, and learned how to work a toilet in Japan. What more could this woman want?

  “… escorted by Brayden Townsend,” Mrs. Townsend said in a strange voice.

  Brayden?

  Izzie stopped short in disbelief, but there he was, waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing a black tuxedo, and his blue-green eyes were locked on her.

  “Isabelle, are you okay?” her dad whispered.

  Whether Brayden’s mother was freaking out internally or Savannah was having a coronary at the top of the staircase externally, she didn’t know. What she did know was that Brayden was finally there for her the way she wanted him to be. He had chosen her.

  The question was, did she choose him back?

  Dylan’s note went through her head. No matter what happens on that staircase tonight, keep going. Avoid making the scenes I’m so famous for. And smile.

  Dylan knew Brayden would be there for her tonight. She also was smart enough to make sure Izzie didn’t get stubborn and muck it up. There were things to say, but when all of Emerald Cove was watching was not that moment.

  “I’m fine,” Izzie said surely to her dad. “Let’s keep going.”

  When they reached the bottom step, Brayden slowly extended his hand. Her fingers were trembling, but she took his arm. She looked back at her father once and then let Brayden lead her into the ballroom.

  The Emerald Cove Castle on the Cliff ballroom took her breath away. The twinkling lights and Christmas trees shone brightly in the low-lit room that was filled with dozens of large tables where guests wore wedding attire and tuxes. The girls had been instructed to walk into the ballroom and then stand on the side of the dance floor and wait for the rest of them to make their entrance.

  “You look beautiful,” Brayden whispered.

  “You think compliments are going to get you anywhere?” Izzie said with a big smile. Aunt Maureen was already snapping pictures, and Hayden, that sly dog, was standing next to her, taking video. How many people were in on this?

  “You got Dylan’s note, obviously,” he said.

  “Obviously,” Izzie said, and they took their place in line with the other couples. Ms. Norberry told them to line up and watch each couple enter, and then when everyone was there, they’d have their first dance.

  “Before you bite my head off, let me say something,” Brayden said. “I know the past few weeks have been a disaster between the Ingrams, my mom, Dylan….”

  “Disaster doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Izzie whispered. “You never called me to apologize that night your parents came home early. You just let me stand there while you went off to have dinner with Savannah’s family, and then the next time I see you, you’re having dinner with them again, and you still don’t apologize!”

  “I know I let things go too far,” he agreed. “I should have apologized, but I was mad. You really made me think about my family,” he said, sounding flustered. “I know my family is messed up. Why do you think I try to escape to the beach so much?” he asked. “Anyway, Dylan and I had a long talk the other night after you left. It was way overdue. I think deep down my mom thinks she’s doing what’s best for us.” He straightened the bow tie on his tux. “Dylan isn’t so sure of that, but she knows she has to back off a bit. She made a mess of things, but I didn’t help, either. I’ve always done what my mom wanted, but not anymore. What my mom thinks is best for her isn’t necessarily best for me.”

  Izzie hadn’t thought about it that way before.

  “Dylan’s answer is to rebel. Mine is to go surf. Whose plan has worked out better so far?” Brayden’s eyes searched hers. “Just because I don’t come back at them all the time doesn’t mean I won’t fight them for what I really want. It doesn�
�t mean I won’t fight for you, Iz, if you let me.”

  For some reason, hearing him say that made the hair on her arms stand up. “But how do I know you will fight for me this time?” she asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice. “The last few times we’ve been together, you did nothing—”

  “Last time I saw you, I didn’t even know you were coming,” he reminded her. “But I already knew what I was going to say that night at dinner with the Ingrams. I had planned on telling everyone there that the only person I was going to cotillion with was you.” He smiled at her. “Our families are friends, so we’re still going to cross paths, but I told my mom I’m not going for dinner at the Ingrams anymore. I’d rather have dinner with you and the Monroes, if you’ll have me.”

  “Dinner, huh?” Izzie said, because she had to say something to keep up the attitude. Inside, though, all she could think was, he chose me. In front of his mother, his family, Savannah, and the rest of Emerald Cove, he had picked her. She wasn’t ready to let him off the hook just yet, though. “I’m not sure I’m ready to commit to dinner,” she said, and he looked a little disappointed. “Why don’t we start with lunch, and then we’ll go from there?”

  He thought about it for a second and grinned. “I like lunch.”

  “Me, too.” Why was she being so jokey? This wasn’t funny. He had to know how much her heart had hurt the last few weeks. “Just don’t screw up again, because you are running out of chances,” she said fiercely. “Fight for me like you said you would.”

  Brayden looked at her intently. “I will.” And this time, she believed him.

  From the corner of her eye, Izzie saw Savannah make her entrance. Her face was beet-red, and she wouldn’t hold her escort understudy’s arm. She glared at Brayden and Izzie as she passed, but Izzie didn’t care. She had finished Dylan’s assignment, become an official debutante, and won the boy. (She just wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to let him know that yet.) She belonged there as much as Savannah did, and Izzie promised herself she wouldn’t forget it.

  Twenty-Three

  When Mira saw Dylan walking over to Izzie, she bolted from the dressing area. Unfortunately, she didn’t know where to hide.

  “Mira?” Charlotte walked over. “Wow, nice dress.”

  “Thanks.” Mira swished the skirt proudly. “It’s Amsale.”

  “Cool,” Charlotte said appraisingly. “Mine’s a Charlotte Richards.” Mira blinked, confused. “That’s my name. I made it myself.”

  “You made that?” Charlotte’s dress was incredible. It looked like a modern, upscale trench coat. Her white dress had V-neck lapels, a belted waist, and a slit up the middle of the gorgeous brushed satin hoop skirt. Crinoline peeked out from underneath.

  “My parents were all for buying me one, but I figured if I could make something as difficult as a bridal gown, a career in fashion isn’t as much of a pipe dream as I think.”

  “I would say it’s definitely not a pipe dream.” Mira admired Charlotte’s handy work. “It looks like something Stella McCartney would make.”

  “That’s exactly the look I was going for,” said Charlotte, her eyes lighting up. “I had to change it up a little. I didn’t want to copy the master. Are you a Stella fan, too?”

  “Who isn’t?” Mira said. “Although I can’t say I own too many pieces. My mom may like clothes, but even she draws the line at six-hundred-dollar shirts that are only in style for one season.”

  “Mine, too,” Charlotte said with a sigh. “Although I once found a shirt marked down for next to nothing at Barneys in New York City.”

  “I was just there for Thankgiving,” Mira said. “I loved that store! I would have slept in one of the dressing rooms if they let me.”

  “Me, too.” Charlotte pushed her reddish hair out of her eyes. “I love New York.”

  Mira wondered why she and Charlotte had never really talked before. They were in the same grade at EP. They took some of the same classes. How could a potential friend have been right in front of her the whole time and Mira not realize it?

  “Listen, I’d love to talk fashion all night, but the real reason I’m out here is to send you on a mission,” Charlotte said discreetly, and her red hair fell in tiny ringlets around her heart-shaped face. “I was told to tell you that someone is waiting for you in suite fourteen.”

  Emerald Cove Castle on the Cliff was so exclusive that the place had only twenty-eight hotel rooms. They had been reserved for cotillion years in advance.

  “Who?” Mira asked.

  “I can’t say.” Charlotte’s lips pursed slightly. “But it’s a good surprise—I swear.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that,” Mira told her before heading off. “Hey, do you want to hang out sometime?” Mira’s voice was so tentative, it surprised her. For some reason, she really hoped Charlotte would say yes.

  “Sure,” Charlotte said. “I’d give you my number right now, but as you can see, this dress barely has enough room for my bra.”

  Mira laughed. “I’ll look you up in the EP directory.” Mira would be the last one to make her cotillion entrance because she was giving the debutante speech, but she still didn’t have a lot of time to just hang around. She was one door away from suite fourteen when she saw Savannah.

  Mira’s heart sank. “What are you doing here?”

  Savannah held up a small pencil. “My parents are staying here tonight, and I left my lip liner in their suite. I can’t be without my MAC on a night like this.” Mira had a feeling no one would be looking at her lips. Her dress was the real showstopper. The top half was covered in an almost lilac chiffon and the bottom fitted with a small train. Mira thought that part should be bustled, but fashion was never Savannah’s strong suit. She’d always relied on Mira for that.

  Tonight, Mira had no problem saying what was really on her mind. “I can’t believe you have the nerve to talk to me after what your dad did.”

  “I was hoping I’d run into you,” she said, sounding remorseful. “I had no idea what he was up to. I swear.” She gracefully lifted the bottom of her dress so it wouldn’t drag and walked over to Mira. “What my dad did is so humiliating. Can you imagine if our friends found out?”

  Mira bit her lip. Humiliating. Of course that’s what Savannah was worried about. Not how wrong her father was for faking stories about Mira’s family. “They’re not my friends anymore, remember?”

  “Right.” Savannah touched her smooth updo. “Still, I wanted you to know the truth. I’ve been mad at you, sure, but I wouldn’t try to destroy your whole life. Even if you have been cocky lately.” Savannah’s brown eyes got even darker when she was angry, which she appeared to be at the moment. “Just because your dad is running for the U.S. Senate, you seem to think that makes you better than me.”

  Mira couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “Parading around with your sister, getting in Teen Vogue magazine, shining at all the cotillion initiations while I got the grunt work, and then getting picked to be lead debutante tonight? That was the icing on the cake.”

  Savannah ticked off the indiscretions in an almost patronizing voice, and that’s when Mira realized she hadn’t imagined it—Savannah was jealous of her.

  “But I’m not a petty person,” Savannah added, and Mira bit her tongue. “I don’t forget when people have my back.” Her eyes softened. “You were decent to me that day at the scavenger hunt. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t helped me out with the tiara.”

  Mira wanted to keel over. “You’re welcome.”

  “I knew I couldn’t let you miss tonight.” Savannah stood unsurely, shifting from one stiletto-clad foot to the other. “That’s why I went to Dylan and explained why you weren’t at the final initiation.”

  “You’re the one who talked to Dylan?” Mira couldn’t believe it.

  Savannah played with the pearl bracelet she wore over one of her white gloves. “When you didn’t show up at the final initiation because of what happened with
our dads, I had to tell her what was going on. I know how much you wanted to be here tonight.” Savannah looked at the marble floor. “I remember how you used to talk about wearing a bride’s dress all the time when you were little. It didn’t seem fair that you would miss cotillion because of something my dad did.”

  She couldn’t believe Savannah remembered the bride’s dress story. “Thank you.” She looked around the stone hallway that had been built so long ago. “I really did want to be here.”

  “I know,” Savannah said, and started to walk away. “Have fun tonight.” She held up the lip liner. “I have to finish getting ready. I’ll be walking down those stairs to meet Brayden in just fifteen minutes.”

  Mira still couldn’t believe Savannah, not Izzie, would be making her entrance with Brayden. She pushed that thought out of her mind and looked for suite fourteen. She wasn’t sure who to expect on the other side of that door. Maybe that’s why she sucked in her breath and closed her eyes when she found the suite and opened the door.

  Kellen was the last person she’d expected to find waiting for her, but there he was in a tuxedo, holding a red rose. The whole thing felt like a scene out of one of those romantic comedies Hayden thought were so cheesy but she adored. If Taylor Swift music started playing right then, she would have to pinch herself.

  “It’s you,” Mira said. She was surprised, but not as surprised as she thought she should be. She had told Izzie she didn’t need an escort, but in the back of her mind, she still hoped Kellen might be waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her.

  “It’s me, but the rented tux is due back at four PM tomorrow.”

  Mira swished toward him. She pointed to the rose. “Is that for me?”

  “No, it’s for the maid,” Kellen said drily. “To thank her for making the room smell so pretty.”

  “Oh, so we’re back to joking now?” Mira asked, her heart beating wildly.

  He let the tip of the rose touch Mira’s nose. “I think so. Your groveling messages and the desperate painted plea were hard to ignore.”