With a deep breath to quell the tremble that has settled into my hand. On some level, I know I’m being ridiculous. But I can’t seem to shake the feeling away.
“It’s just old classmates, Leslie. Old classmates who liked to make fun of you and make your life hell and expected you to become some perfect CEO or something. But old classmates all the same.” I talk to myself as I change into my dress.
“You look beautiful, babe.” I nearly jump as Trent’s voice pulls me from overexamining myself in the mirror.
“I don’t look fat?”
“Leslie, you are not fat. Not even a little.” He crosses the room and puts an arm around my waist, tugging me into his body while tucking a curl behind my ear. “You’re beautiful, and stunning, and sexy. I’m a very lucky man to have you.”
While no part of me believes him, a smile spans my face anyway. His sweetness does make me happy, even if I’m sure he’s full of shit.
Without letting go of me, he flicks out his watch. “We should go. We’ll be just on time to not be the first ones there but not be fashionably late.”
Butterflies let loose in my stomach and flutter up into my chest. “Perfect.”
He gives my hip a squeeze and presses a kiss to my forehead before leading me to the car.
As we drive through the town we grew up in, I take a look at the scenery that hasn’t really changed so much in ten years. Fill it to the Rim is still the only gas station, Graham’s Piggly Wiggly just as busy as always, as is Dawson’s.
The flowers are absolutely popping in the town square as we go around the roundabout. I never understood why the whole town went with the buffalo theme, but whatever floats their boat, I guess. Not to mention, aside from the schools, there’s not much going on around here. Even the small businesses are overly supportive of the school and sporting events, being sponsors whenever the opportunity arises.
It’s not until we pull up in front of the high school and my stomach lodges in my throat that I feel like it’s real. That we’re really about to walk in there and see my old classmates. Sure, I’ve been worried about it for weeks, but it’s been a hypothetical. Now, it’s staring me in the face.
With a light chuckle, Trent gets out of the car and walks around to my side, opening the door and extending a hand toward me while tucking the other behind his back. “Milady.”
The smile that graces my face disguises the tremor in my bones. But I take his hand and let him pull me from the car.
When we get to the door, I hesitate. The parking lot is filled with other cars, so I know there are people inside, some who I may not care about seeing and others who I’m sure I don’t want to see.
“You ready? I’ll be by your side all night, Les.” Trent places a hand on the small of my back, and relief floods through me.
With a deep breath, I nod and pull open the door.
Chapter 23
Partofmedoesn’tknow what I was so worried about. Things so far have been delightful. The glass of Pinot in my hand helps tremendously. The few people that I’ve had to interact with have been friendly and polite. And very excited that Trent and I ended up together.
I’m able to sit back and take it all in as Trent reunites with some of the guys he played football with. There aren’t too many since he was a senior while we were sophomores but a few played varsity instead of JV.
The gym is decorated with red and gold balloons and streamers, the school colors. There are photos on tables that line the room, I’ve yet to make my way over to check them out. I’m nervous as to what I might actually see.
The badge that I picked up when we walked in weighs heavily in my purse. While there aren’t terribly many people here tonight, I know it will be more packed tomorrow. Plus fancier.
So far, I haven’t seen David.
That’s what has me the most nervous. What happens if he and Trent are in the same room together? While I’m sure David has finally let go of his hold on me and is just curious about my life and staying in contact, I’m not sure how Trent is going to react.
Based on what’s been going on at home the past few weeks, I’d say not well.
“Hey, stranger.” A voice in my ear makes me jump, but I spin around just in time for Veronica to wrap her arms around me. It’s been years since we’ve seen each other. We kept in touch and were friendly all through college, even though we’d drifted a bit during the last year of high school.
She even came out to see the kids a few times when she was visiting her parents here in Brighton. But after they moved to the east coast to be near her, we haven’t seen her as much.
“Oh my God, hi!” Oops. The wine is either hitting me harder than I thought, or my awkwardness is shining through.
She sways us side to side for a moment before putting her hands on my shoulders and holding me back to examine me. “You look amazing, Leslie!”
Heat floods my face as I look at the ground. I’m sure she means for having had three kids. She hasn’t seen me since I had Charlie.
