“I told Levi we can stay here on the weekends.”
She smiled. “Wow, that’s so awesome.”
“Did you think I was going to ditch my lady in waiting?”
“What?” Her expression was a mix of shock and excitement. “You can’t be serious.”
“Helen’s already working on your dress. It’s gorgeous.”
She hugged me. “Oh my god. That’s incredible. My parents—wow—oh my god.”
When she pulled away, I thought I saw a tear run down her face. Hailey, crying?
“Who’d you think it would be? Did you think I was hanging out with other Pterons behind your back?”
“I figured they’d want you to pick someone more appropriate, like Michelle.”
“More appropriate? That’s ridiculous. Besides, the job of the lady in waiting is to do everything to help the princess. You already do that.”
“What do the dresses look like?”
“You’ll find out when you go for your first fitting.”
She squealed. Wow, this was such a different side to Hailey.
“Dare I ask?” Levi asked from the top of the stairs.
“I was telling Hailey about her dress.”
“I take it you’re happy about the job?”
“Is that even a question?” Hailey was still giddy.
“I think I know who I want as my maids.”
“Oh yeah?” Levi pushed open one of the doors. It was a library with the most comfortable looking reading nook I’d ever seen. Piled with pillows and cushions, the window bench vied with the upholstered chair and ottoman as the best seat in the house. If my life ever calmed down, I could picture myself spending hours in that room.
I sat down on the window seat. “I figure I should ask Michelle.” Not only was her mother friends with Helen, but she’d been a huge help with my Art History exam. As long as she stopped treating Hailey rudely, I wouldn’t mind spending time with her.
Levi nodded. “That would be smart.”
“Can I ask Anne and Tiffany?” I said it fast because I wasn’t sure what response I was going to get.
“They’re just normal humans…”
“So? They’re my friends.”
“They do know about The Society.” Hailey jumped in to help. “What’s the problem?”
Levi shrugged. “Why not? Just get their measurements to my mom. You know she’ll want their dresses to match.”
“Thank you.” I got up and kissed Levi on the cheek.
“Are you thankful enough to spend another night?”
“Maybe one more.”
He put an arm around my waist. “Then you’re very welcome.”
***
Things were exactly the way we left them in our dorm room. My side was neat and orderly, and Hailey’s still had clothes strewn on her chair and bed. I had to give it to Hailey, she kept the mess on her side.
“It’s strangely nice to be back.” Hailey moved a pair of jeans so she could sit on the end of her bed.
“I know what you mean. It doesn’t take long for a new place to feel like home.” I meant more than my dorm. It was hard to believe I’d never been to New Orleans before that previous summer.
“I haven’t seen you without Levi yet.” Hailey leaned back on her elbows. “What happened with Helen?”
“She didn’t know much, but we’re supposed to visit Levi’s grandma next week.”
“You’re visiting Georgina?”
“Is that her name?”
“Yes. Wow, good luck.”
“Is she that bad? Helen made her sound that way, but it’s her mother-in-law so she’s biased.”
“Not as much bad as scary. But she’s a few hours outside the city. Are you going to stay over?”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Yeah, she’s out in the middle of nowhere on her family’s old plantation.”
“How old is she?”
“Only seventy or so, and I think she’s really with it. Just be prepared for her to tell you you’re not good enough for Levi or something like that. She used to come into meetings and yell at girls for bad posture and stuff.”
“At least I have that down.” When your mom’s a former model, she pushes the posture thing on you from a young age.
“You know what I mean.”
“I know.”
“Hello, neighbors!” Anne walked in. We never bothered to lock our door unless we were sleeping.
“Hey!” I got up and hugged her. I’d missed her carefree personality over the few weeks of break.
“How was Vermont, or should I not ask?”
Hailey hugged Anne next. “She’s completely back with Levi, and they now have a multi-million dollar home together.”
“What? How did I miss this?” Anne sat down on my bed.
“Do you want to tell her or should I?” Hailey asked.
I nodded toward the door. “Shouldn’t we wait for Tiffany?”
As if she heard her name, Tiffany walked in. We all laughed.
“Would I be paranoid if I asked if you were laughing at me?” She looked exhausted, and I decided not to ask about her break. Tiffany was the kind of person that let you know what details she wanted to share.
“Not at you.” I hugged her. “We were just talking about you, it was too perfect.”
“Talking about good things, I hope.”
Anne unzipped her sweatshirt. I couldn’t blame her. The heat was on high in the dorm, and it seemed especially hot in my room. “They wouldn’t spill about why she and Levi now own a mansion together.”
“What?” Tiffany sat down on the floor in front of me. “I’m listening.”
“You can tell it, Hail.” Hailey had a gift for telling concise stories. I tended to say too little or go on forever.
Hailey cleared her throat like she was about to go into a long speech. “Allie’s ex-boyfriend showed up in Vermont to try to woo her back.”
“Woo? Where did you get that word?” I laughed.
“Do you want me to tell this story?”
“Sorry, go on.”
“Somehow that made Allie realize just how special what she has with Levi really is. We came right back, and the two have been inseparable since.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet.” Anne was such a romantic at heart, even if she pretended she wasn’t.
“But, it’s not that simple.” I hated even having to think about the rest.