The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Emma’s POV:

I hesitated, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth.

After everything that had happened recently-the hospital stay, the humilting breakup-I just couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

“I don’t know, Liv… I’m not really in the mood.”

“Too late!” Olivia announced with a triumphant smile. I already signed us both up.”

My eyes widened. “You what?”

“I put our names on the list,” she said, completely unapologetic. “You need to get out, Em. Staying cooped up in this dorm is only going to make you more stressed out.”

I groaned, falling back against my pillows.

She wasn’t wrong, but the thought of dressing up and pretending to have un felt exhausting. “But I don’t even have a costume. Halloween is tomorrow.”

“That,” Olivia declared, standing up and marching to her closet, “is absolutely not a problem.”

She began rummaging through her extensive wardrobe, pushing hangers aside with purpose.

“I’ve been dying to give you a makeover for ages. This is the perfect opportunity.”

I watched as she pulled out a garment bag and unzipped it with a flourish revealing a cascade of shimmering blue fabric that caught the light

from our desk lamps.

“Ta-da!” she sang out. “My princess gown from last year’s theater production. You’ll look incredible in this.”

The dress was gorgeous-a deep royal blue with silver accents, full-skirted and elegant. It looked like something straight out of a fairy tale,

complete with delicate beadwork across the fitted bodice.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit… much?” I asked, eyeing the elaborate costume,

Olivia rolled her eyes.

“It’s a masquerade, Emma. The whole point is to be over-the-top. Everyone will be in elaborate costumes, so you won’t stand out at all.”

She held the dress against me, her expression softening. “Plus, this blue will make your eyes pop. Trust me on this.”

I fingered the silky material, thinking it had been a long time since I’d done something just for fun. Maybe Olivia was right-maybe I needed this distraction,

“Fine,” I relented with a small smile. “I guess I’ll try to forget about all these troubles for one night.

“That’s my girl!” Olivia beamed, clearly pleased with herself, “Now you’re king.”

The following afternoon, our dorm room transformed into a makeshift beauty salon.

Olivia had skipped her last class to begin preparations, claiming this was ar more important than Professor Garcia’s lecture on media ethics.”

I sat obediently on my desk chair as she worked, first curling my hair into soft waves, then pinning sections up into an elaborate updo with loose tendrils framing my face.

Next came makeup-more dramatic than I’d ever wear normally, with Ice Blue eyes and a hint of shimmer on my cheekbones.

“Hold still,” she instructed, carefully applying a delicate silver design around my eyes with a fine brush. “This will look stunning with your mask.

I tried not to fidget as she worked her magic.

“Being a polished lady is harder than it looks,” I sighed, shifting slightly in my seat. “How much longer?”

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