“You’ll see.” I help her out of the car and shut the door, then push her up against it, pressing my lips to hers. I feel her sigh as my mouth caresses hers. I glide my hands along her exposed stomach. “I’ve lost my mind over you.”
“It was cute and made me love you that much more.”
“Then I don’t regret it.” I breathe over her cheek, tracing my finger along her collarbone.
“Do you like my dress?” Hannah asks, tapping her thumb against my chin and pulling my attention away from her midsection.
“Yes, you’re stunning,” I whisper over her lips, kissing her. “This is my favorite part,” I say, gliding my fingers along the soft skin at the small of her back.
“When I saw this dress, I knew I had to have it. It reminds me of that summer day in the meadow.”
I dip my head, groaning into her neck, and let out a shaky breath. I flick my tongue out against the hollow of her neck and then bite her.
I let out a curse and wrap my arms around Hannah, pressing her to me. I’m so lost in Hannah that I couldn’t find the exit if I tried. I know we’re young, and I shouldn’t think in terms of forever, but I do. And I need to tell her how I feel.
51. Wildflowers
“Are you lovebirds going to be ready to go anytime soon?” Jack asks with a chuckle. I open my eyes, and he and Leah are standing at the back of the Range Rover.
“Oh, Leah, you look so beautiful.” I push away from Ford, and Leah pushes away from Jack.
“Clark, your dress is fantastic.” She holds my arms out, looking me over.
“Yours too. I’m glad you went with the pink one, and I love your hair. It’s so shiny and silky.” I have serious hair envy. Leah has the prettiest long straight hair. She’s curled the ends under and pinned one side back with a rhinestone beret.
“Thanks, I’m just trying to keep up with you.” Leah laughs, fluffing her curls.
“Are you ladies ready?” Ford comes up behind me, running a hand down my back and then rubbing his fingers against my bare skin.
We look at each other and giggle. “We’re ready,” Leah says.
When Ford pulls into Poncho’s restaurant, the little Mexican place we had our first date, I’m a little letdown. I was hoping for something elegant and romantic, but I smile and squeal, trying to be excited. I’m happy to be here with Ford and my friends; it will be fun.
“Poncho’s?” Leah sounds the way I feel, but she quickly says, “they have the best pork tacos. I didn’t know they had a restaurant. It’s cute.”
“Just wait,” Jack tells Leah, kissing her hand.
I glance at Ford, afraid he can tell what I’m thinking. He smiles and winks at me, which tells me nothing. So I smile and wink back. It looks like Tyler and Cameron are already here. They’re waiting in Ty’s jeep.
Ford helps me out of the car and wraps his arm around my shoulders while we walk. Leah and I squeal and ooh and ahh over Aubrey and June’s dresses even though we’ve seen them, and they do the same with us. The guys must have made reservations or contacted the restaurant about our group because a server is waiting for us when we walk in. He ushers us through the back door out into a beautiful garden area. Twinkle lights hung in rows above us, and a large table has been set with a brightly colored yellow tablecloth with candles and flowers all along the center. I walk up, inspecting the colorful flowers. There are little white flowers with a yellow center, pink flowers with large petals, and yellow flowers that look like marigolds. They are all wildflowers.
“This is so pretty. It’s like we’re in a meadow,” June says as she looks around.
“A meadow,” I whisper, pulling a pink flower from the base. I shouldn’t have doubted Ford. He’s the most passionate I know. Tonightis perfect, and I almost ruined it by pouting. I’m never going to doubt Ford again. I turn around, looking at him.
He gives me a nervous smile, rubbing the back of his neck. He trails a hand down my arm and intertwines our fingers. “What do you think?”
I slide my arms inside his suit coat and around his back, pressing myself against him. “It’s beautiful. Too bad it’s not early in the morning, just before the sun comes up. Where did you find the wildflowers?”
“Cameron’s mom did most of it. I just told her what I wanted.”
“You’re the son my mom wishes she had.” Cameron laughs. “Not really, but she loves being involved and helping. You’ve made her entire year Ford.”
“She kept asking, and no one had any ideas, so I gave her mine.” Ford shrugs.
“Let’s take pictures,” June says, pulling her phone out.
“Did I give you my phone?” I ask Ford.
