“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night.”

“Finally. I’ve been worried about you. You have Marietta’s hottest bachelor taking you to the ball. You should be counting your blessings, girl.”

“I am, but not because he’s Marietta’s hottest bachelor, but because he’s really nice. And smart. And funny. Kara, he makes me laugh and I don’t think I ever laugh that much with anyone else.” Taylor made a face. “I think that’s what has worried me. I really do like spending time with him.”

“So why is that bad?”

“Because it’s not going to go anywhere. We’ll attend the dance and then he’ll return to San Francisco and I’ll go back to my life, and I’m not calling it boring, but it’s certainly not razzle dazzle and if I am being completely honestly…it’s going to be hard to go back to my life the way it was. This has been fun. He’s been fun. He is like Prince Charming.”

Kara’s expression softened. “You like him.”

For a moment Taylor couldn’t speak. She had fallen for Troy, just a little bit, but even that little bit was enough to make her heart ache. To make her wish that fairy tales did come true. “It’s going to be fine.” She glanced down at her glossy red toes and suddenly the polish blurred and she was having to blink hard to clear her eyes. “It’ll take a week or two and then I’ll be back in my routine.”

“But first, you’re going to enjoy the ball,” Kara said firmly.

“Exactly.” Taylor impatiently wiped her eyes dry, her smile wry. “And I am going to enjoy the ball. It’ll be a night to remember.”

She went to bed nervous but woke up excited. For several minutes after waking up, she just thought about the day to come and how it was so out of her norm, and yet that’s also what made it so exciting. She’d had so many reservations but those were gone now and she just wanted to enjoy tonight, and she would.

Leaving bed, Taylor showered and dressed, humming show tunes. She didn’t know she’d switched from humming to singing until Kara entered the kitchen and joined Taylor in the chorus from Oklahoma’s Oh What a Beautiful Morning.

They laughed as the last note faded.

“Wow,” Taylor said, reaching for her thermos of coffee, and blushing. “I don’t think we’ve ever started the day that way.”

“It was a surprise,” Kara answered, grinning as she fastened her coat. “I guess you’re in a good mood.”

“I guess so.” Taylor tucked the thermos in her tote bag. “Will I see you later this afternoon?”

“Absolutely. I want to see you all dressed. There is no way I am going to miss that.”

All morning Taylor thought about seeing Troy that evening, and wondered if she ought to send him a text saying hello and that she was looking forward to seeing him. She wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate, though. She also wondered if she was supposed to get him flowers…a boutonniere.