Page 21 of Princess and Country

“You look good, kids,” she said.

“Thanks, Mrs. Canterbury,” both Carter and I said at the same time.

“I need to warn you, Dah. Mom is going crazy in there. I came to get you to give you a heads-up. Everything Jeff-related is always the highlights of her days, so you can imagine the setup.” Carter’s tone turned sour. “Jeff can do no wrong. I’m sure she’s already planning your wedding to him.” I stopped in my tracks and turned to face my best friend. Hurt flashed in his eyes, darker tonight. I grabbed his hands in mine and laced our fingers together.

“I know it seems unfair, but your mama loves you. She just has a weird way of showing it sometimes. And I think she has no idea how to relate to your music. I heard her the other day, talking to my mama, and she couldn’t stop praising how smart you were.”

Carter blinked back what I believed were tears. Hand in hand, we made it to his house. On the front porch, I rose to my tiptoes, and my lips grazed his cheek.

“Thanks for warning me. And for walking me over. Please don’t hide in your room just yet because I want pictures with you, okay?”

Carter nodded, and we exchanged a smile.

“Ready?”

I filled my lungs and tightened my grip on his hand.

“Let’s do this.”

One hour later, my ass landed on the passenger seat of Jeff’s truck, and I sighed. Jeff was driving us tonight, and I was grateful he did. I needed to breathe away from everybody else as we escaped the camera madness going on in his house. Both our mamas snapped an infinite number of pictures of us. Inside. Outside in the backyard. On the front lawn. By the fireplace. In his bedroom, faking getting ready together.

Mama took pictures of Carter and me, and some of Carter, Jeff, and I together. We tried secret spies poses with our hands folded together as handguns, and another where the guys threw a football as I stood between them, in my gown, my arms crossed over my chest, with a pout.

I should frame the last one we took. Mama showed it to me before we left, and I couldn’t look away. It was etched on my mind.

It was a shot of us three in the garage. Carter and I playing one of our songs as Jeff, in a suit with a loosened tie, his arms spread on either side of the backrest of the sofa, watched us. Watched me. My throat clenched at the memory of how I traced his handsome face with the pad of my forefinger over the camera screen.

“You okay?” Jeff asked after he helped me settle my gown, closed the door behind me, and circled his truck to get in, pulling me out of my daydream.

“Yeah. I’m glad we escaped the circus, though.”

“Me too.” Jeff leaned over the console between our seats. “Can I tell you something now that we’re alone?”

Warmth pooled in my cheeks. My heart hammered in my chest. I wiggled my toes to get rid of the tingles that had started in my limbs. Why was it that every time Jeff talked to me, I felt I was close to collapse?

“You look beautiful.” A small flush crept over Jeff’s shaved face. Tonight, he wore a black suit over his steel-blue shirt and a black tie. He’d gelled his short hair in spikes. A glint lit up his face. “Can I do something?” My heart threatened to explode. My pulse deafened me. I bobbed my head.

Jeff tipped my chin with his finger and leaned closer. His lips brushed mine, and I thought my chest would burst open. Flutters filled me. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. When I re-opened them, Jeff’s face was an inch from mine. He was panting. I lost myself in his gaze; I could see the glow in it. The hair on my arms stood on end, and his lips found mine again. This time he kissed me—a real kiss. A flood of heat rippled through me, making prom seem not so important anymore. Jeff’s lips were everything I ever wished they’d be. Soft. Warm. Experienced. Mine.

He pulled back and started the engine. “I’ve been dying to do this for so long.”

I failed at holding back the smile taking my face hostage.

“Please. Don’t wait that long next time.” His face snapped in my direction. Jeff glanced at me with what I would define as a mix of longing, lust, and surprise. My hand flew to my mouth. I couldn’t believe I said that out loud. But then my date grinned, and the tension in my upper back vanished. He intertwined our fingers together and rested our joined hands in my lap.

His warmth traveled through me, lighting up every cell, every pore.

My eyes lingered on Jeff’s lips, and I traced mine with my finger, wishing we could kiss all night. Hoping the feeling would never wash away.

Shivers moved along my spine, igniting my body.

Addi would freak out when I tell her about it.

My heart filled my chest to the brim. Nothing could temper my happiness tonight.

We entered the school gym, transformed into an enchanted garden—the prom theme. Green tablecloths, looking like moss, covered the tables. A path lined with lanterns showed the way to the photo booth. All over the room, there were fake bushes trimmed into swans, and garden-ball lamps hung from the ceiling, giving the place a touch of magic.

I took in everything in awe. “Wow, this is beautiful.” Jeff’s hands found mine.