He drinks me in, and I take a moment to revel in the attention. His appreciative sweep of me from head to toe and back up again makes me feel warm and cherished in the best possible way. It’s not a greedy appraisal but a tender one. I love the way he looks at me.
“You look incredible.” His soft voice scrapes ever so slightly, like he’s a little undone by me. That, coupled with the flicker of heat in his eyes, has me thinking that maybe there’s some want to go along with the tenderness. I’m not complaining.
“Thanks.” My own voice is breathier than normal. I’m chalking that up to the nerves. I give my dress a swish for good measure. Nothing boosts a woman’s confidence like a dress that’s good for twirling, am I right? There’s something about the feel of the fabric whooshing against your skin. Does something to your psyche. I step into the hallway and tug my door shut, pausing to lock it behind me. I turn back to him and do my own assessment. “You too.”
He’s in navy slacks and a crisp white button-up. The top two buttons are undone, and his sleeves are rolled to the elbows, revealing tanned, strong forearms and a swanky-looking watch.
“So, you’re taking me back to high school tonight, huh?”
He helps me into the front seat of his car and tells me all about where we’re headed on the ten-minute drive to Mobile East High School.
When we arrive, he tucks my hand around his elbow, ushering me toward the large glass doors on the front of the school. “I can’ttell you how much I wanted a normal high school experience growing up.”
“Right, and since you’re a prince, that wasn’t happening.”
His cheeks blossom pink, and he gives me a wincing smile, like he still can’t believe I didn’t freak out when he told me about his royal background earlier this week. Of course I knew about his prince status before, so I had some time to let it sink in and get used to it in my own brain before I started “dating” him. But even if I hadn’t, there’s something about Anton that makes me want to make him feel like he’s okay, just as he is. He doesn’t have to be anything different for me. I’ll take him for him.
I briefly wonder what Anton’s life will look like this fall. He’s earned the job as starting quarterback for the Tigers. He’s not going to be able to fly under the radar, so the entirety of the NFL fan base is going to know he’s a prince. I wish he’d have more security in place. For his safety. I straighten my shoulders. If I do my job well and keep ahead of any threats, then he’ll stay safe. That’s what I intend to do.
“My mother wouldn’t allow me to go to the common school on the island, so I was homeschooled. Tutors, mostly. Great education. Not so great for my social life. And I felt guilty using the money of the people for my own personal ends. It’s one of the things I despise about the setup of the royal line in Penwick. People pay taxes to support our lavish lifestyle. That doesn’t sit well with me.”
I digest his words, logging them into place as I round out the picture of the man walking next to me. Fun. Hard-working. Doesn’t like handouts. I also get the sense that, for as open as he seems, he has a difficult time trusting people. He told me about his friends in Penwick. Most of them were hand-picked by his mom. He never knew who really liked him and who hung out with him because they were told they had to. He tried to be welcoming and unguarded, but he’s been burned a time or two.
“Anyway,” he goes on. “I got plugged in here at Mobile East when I signed with the Tigers. I started tutoring some of the kids who were struggling with reading.”
Be still, my book-loving heart.
“I love it around here because no one cares where I’m from. They’ve barely heard of Penwick. Most of these kids didn’t recognize me as a football player either. Not at first. To them, I was a vehicle for deciphering the Shakespeare they were reading. When someone found out I played for the Tigers, a couple of the kids asked me to help out in the weight room during the off season.”
“I’m sure they love having you around.” If I were a high schooler, I’d for sure be googly-eyed over him. Heck, Iamgoogly-eyed over him.
He shrugs. “Somehow, the kids talked me into this tonight, so here we are, chaperoning prom.”
We walk into the gym. It’s decked out in maroon and gold streamers. There’s a balloon arch and photo backdrop in the corner. It’s a typical high school dance scene. I can pick out the “it” couples, grinding in the center of the dance floor. There’s also the line of kids standing on one wall, shooting covert glances at the group on the opposite wall. It reeks of teenage pheromones in here.
I beam at him. “I saw your dance moves on Friday. You planning to show these kids up?”
“I think you’re misremembering my moves.” He does a little shimmy.
I full out giggle. Who giggles these days? Me, apparently.
Anton grins, as if making me smile was his goal, before he surveys the gym. “I never had a prom, what with the whole homeschooled-prince thing.” He glances back at me. “What about you?”
I wince but try to hide it.
Anton catches my expression, though. “Looks like there’s a story there.”
Before I can answer, a squeal comes from across the gym. “Mr. Bates!”
We’re swarmed by a posse of teenage girls. I step off to the side as they vie for Anton’s attention. They’re all talking at once. Anton has a kind word for each of them, complimenting their hair and their dresses, asking about how their AP test prep is going. He seems to really care. It makes my knees feel a little like applesauce.
A group of boys saunters over, trying to look chill, but judging from their fast talking and the way they’re all bouncing on the balls of their feet, they’re as excited to see Anton as the girls are. He gives them the same sort of interest, answers all their questions, and takes their ribbing in stride. Even as he talks to them, he keeps flicking his gaze to me.
One of the kids bobs his head in my direction. “Yo, man. Who’s your lady friend?”
The whole group of teenagers spins as one and stares at me. I hold up my hand and wave awkwardly. Anton steps to my side, rescuing me from their scrutiny.
“This is Sammy Rose,” he says.
