“Sit down, breathe. What happened?” I turned and sat on the lid of the toilet. I felt better sitting down, I could breathe again.
“He asked me to prom. Yesterday. When you were at Josh’s adoption. And I didn’t know what to say, I freaked out. And I was already on the way here to tell him yes, but now I see him… What if he changed his mind, you know? Like, no one has ever asked me out, not like that. I haven’t even been kissed.”
Like, not a real one, and I wasn’t about to spill that I kissed him on the lips… like a peck, when she was actively being chased by a bunch of crazy people that were trying to kidnap her or kill her. So I held that in. Maybe one day I would tell her, but it was still so fresh. Plus, it could have been a thanks-for-saving-my-life kiss.
She was looking at me like I wasn’t telling the truth. But I had never kissed a boy with tongue before. Pressed lips together for like five seconds twice in my whole life. I didn’t have the kind of experience other girls my age did. I was a virgin, at everything.
“Well okay, I did kiss a boy at summer camp when I was twelve, but that wasn’t a real kiss. And I didn’t tell you, even though I was going to ask you what I should do. It just… If he said no, I would’ve been so embarrassed to tell you. Like, here you are, this amazing, cool chick, and you have four perfect boyfriends. FOUR! And I can’t even get one.”
I may have overdone that with the four fingers I held up in her face, and maybe did it twice in my panic mode. Like she forgot she had four boyfriends and I had to remind her like she couldn’t count.
“Hey, don’t do that to yourself. You’re always so positive, and he asked you, Ada Stephens. He didn’t ask anyone else—”
“How do you know that?” I butted in. It was true though, I was putting myself down. Why would he ask me if he didn’t want to go with me? Why did I fear saying yes to him? He wouldn’t say no. That made no sense if he asked me. I was the one to say yes or no.
Lexi then told me how Ranger was angry that she had touched Huxley and he fought him in the woods at school. I was in shock. She didn’t have perfect boyfriends, I didn’t know why I thought that. They just seemed to be perfect for her. I didn’t know Ranger was a hothead like that.
“—He was worried if Huxley asked you out that Noah would be pushed aside, and he loves him like a brother. I understand why he thought it was a good idea, sort of. I’m trying, at least. But what I’m trying to say is Huxley wouldn’t have asked anyone else. He’ll be waiting for you to tell him yes.”
My mouth dropped open and I thought for a moment. It was true, he wouldn’t have asked anyone else. He was waiting for my answer, and I needed to give him one. But Ranger didn’t have to worry about Noah, I wouldn’t push him to the side.Never.He meant too much to me.
I stood, straightening out my dress, then hugged Lexi. “I’m gonna go out there and tell him I will go to prom with him.”
I stood taller, sucked in a deep breath, and looked at myself in the mirror. I got this; I was a confident woman. I could tell him, “Yes, I will go to prom with you.”
“You go get him, tiger.” Lexi smacked my ass and laughed as I unlocked the door and rushed out. She followed me as we ran past the kitchen with all the yummy food and outside where a huge party was happening. There were lights, even though it was the middle of the day, and some people dancing. Mostly the young kids. But there was more food out here, and Huxley. He was standing near a table. He had a drink in his hand and the other hand in his pocket.
I looked to Lexi and nodded. I got this. I practically marched over to him, past the kids doing their crazy dancing. He saw me as he took his hand out of his pocket and stood straighter. His smile was so big as he saw the grin on my face. Oh man, melt-my-heart-and-panties smile… That scar tugging at his lip made me want to kiss him and take him away somewhere private. He was stunning.
“Hi,” I said as I stopped in front of him.
“Hey.” He couldn’t keep the grin off his face.
“Yes… I will go to prom with you.” I swayed a little, my dress twisting around my legs as I waited nervously for his answer. I bit my lower lip and he nodded, then chuckled.
“Thank you, Ada. I was worried you would say no. I’m very excited to take you to prom. I… I will pick you up. My dad is getting a limousine, is that okay?”
I giggled and nodded. That was more than okay. I had never been in one, so I was even more excited about that too. I didn’t want to over talk, so I told him I had to go back to Lexi and gave him a small wave before I practically ran back to her. I jumped when I got to her and held her arm, squeezing it as I blurted out, “We’re going to the prom.”
Destiny approached us with two margaritas. Were they for us? My eyes widened, hell yeah. Where was Mom and Dad? I didn’t want them to tell me off. Or Destiny off.
“Hello, I’m Destiny, Ada’s sister. You must be Lexi, the amazing best friend who’s dating Mr. Donovani—” I held my hand over my mouth… Yeah, I told her that, but I didn’t think she would say it to Lexi’s face. But then, this was my sister, what else did I expect. The giggles rose in my chest as she gave us both a margarita each.
Destiny was a little tipsy, but it was funny. She said Dad could drive Lexi and me home, that she was maybe not going home. I was excited. Was it a groomsman that caught her eye? Because one caught mine too.
“Let’s drink and party. We can get my dad to drive us home.” I tapped my glass against hers, and she grinned. Hell yeah, the party just got started.
I tasted it, and it didn’t even taste like alcohol. It was sweet and fruity and went down well… maybe too well.
