Right Next To Me

Chapter 17 That (Awesome) Anniversary Dinner Party

Chapter 17 ~ That (Awesome) Anniversary Dinner Party

After lunch, I asked Seth to take me home. I wanted to rest for a while to look fresh and beautiful for  the party tonight. I will be seeing Dylan. I don’t know if I could even take a nap with all the excitement coursing thru me but I need to sleep a bit since I didn’t get to sleep last night. I waited for Dylan to come home. I thought he was with Julianna the whole time. Now, I know that he spent the night at the lake house, alone. I smiled to myself.

I arrived at the villa and everyone is so busy preparing for the party. They were putting up rice lights up on the trees in the gardens. Those rice lights are going to be pretty tonight. They will look like stars, twinkling in the night.

They’ve also set up a small stage. Aunt Lily probably hired a band to play tonight. I wonder how many people Aunt Lily has invited.

I noticed a lot of tables set up outside. Already, I know Liam, Travis and Seth are coming. Marie and Uncle Rick with Maddie and Macy will surely be here. They live next door anyway. Dianne, her husband and kids will be here. I am also pretty sure Uncle Aidan’s and Aunt Lily’s business associates will be here. There is one person I do not want to be invited. Julianna.

I bumped into Jessie who was carrying a box of tea lights outside.

“Hey, Jess. Need any help?” I offered.

She shook her head. “We’re doing fine. Go on and rest. I can see your eyebags from a mile away.” She teased. “You didn’t get to sleep last night?”

I nodded. “I…uhm.” I stopped myself. I almost told her I was waiting for Dylan to come home last night. I am not ready for anyone else to know how I feel for Dylan. Derek and Seth are enough. “Yeah, wasn’t able to sleep. So I will catch up on it now.” I said.

“Go ahead. Do you want me to wake you up so you could prepare for the party?” Jessie offered.

I shook my head to decline her offer. “Thanks, Jess. I got it. I will not be late. I promise.” I smiled at her and hurried upstairs.

~*~

I woke up at about five o’clock in the afternoon. I decided to take a long bath in the tub. I have time to prepare. The dinner starts at half past six. After almost the endless soaking and scrubbing, I got out of the bath and took out another one of my mother’s dresses. I will be wearing a one shoulder, silver and white mini silk dress.

I dried my hair and pulled it into a low chignon side bun, letting a few curls to fall on my face. I put on some make up. I need to look pretty for Dylan. I wonder if he is here already. I did not notice if he entered his room across the hall. I slept well even if it was only for a few hours. I didn’t know I was that tired.

I put on some silver high heels to match my dress. It is just a few minutes past six. I decided to go downstairs and check if Aunt Lily needs any help. I crept outside my room, walking carefully so that my high heels do not make too much noise. I stopped in the lounge by the bay windows.

The sky is getting dark and they have turned on the rice lights they have put on the trees. The lights look pretty, twinkling in the dark like little stars. The guests have started to arrive but I haven’t noticed anyone I know. I felt someone place a hand on the small of my back. I tensed but immediately relaxed. I got a whiff of Dylan’s cologne. I turned my head slightly and found myself gazing into his twinkling blue eyes.

“Missed me?” Dylan asked, obviously teasing me.

“Yes. I did.” I answered boldly. It is true. I did miss him. The six years we’ve spent apart is now crushing me. I want to be with him and see him every minute of every day if he would let me.