Page 52 of Heartless Pucker in Love

Her giggles filled the back of the car, caressing my eardrums and making me smile. She accepted the glass I gave her. “This is incredible. No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.” Gazing at me, she stated with a note of disbelief, “You remembered what I wore ten years ago.”

I debated telling her that the image of her on prom night had remained stuck in my head for a decade, partly because of guilt. Instead, I shrugged and told her, “Of course. You were so beautiful. How could I forget?” That was enough of the truth. The thing I wanted to change about that image of her in my head was the look on her face. The hurt and betrayal. I was determined to change that look tonight. She was smiling. So far, so good.

“You thought I was beautiful?”

“Not just on prom night, sweetness. I’ve always thought that.”

She visibly swallowed and turned to look out the window. It was hard to tell if she believed me or not. Her wistful look, followed by one of uncertainty caught my attention. Shit, I could virtually see her debating if she should trust me. That irritated me. Surely she knew me. I’d shown her the real me. I did the only thing I could think to do at the moment. Scooting closer, I tipped her chin up with my finger.

“Do me a favor tonight, April.”

“What’s that?”

“Get out of your head and...trust me.”

Her expression softened. “I do trust you.”

Not completely, I wanted to say. It only took a few minutes before we reached West Oak High, and we watched as the limo turned into the school parking lot. The building brought back a reel of childhood memories for me, and for April too it seemed. Her expression crumbled for a millisecond before she smiled at me. How I wished I could go back in time and not be an idiot. To protect her from everyone who ever hurt her because my sweet April didn’t deserve any of the crap she got as a kid.

When we got out of the limo, I laced my fingers with hers. As we strolled towards the open gymnasium doors, she gazed down at our connected hands. There was no telling what was going on in her head. If only I had the power to read minds. April’s gasp made me look around the massive gym. I grinned. My mom, Nic, Lucy, and Kelsey sure outdid themselves.

There were flowers everywhere, hanging from the ceiling, draped over the bleachers. I chuckled at the sight of the photo booth off to one corner and the flower arch that we’d walk under to get into the gym. It looked like a real prom was happening tonight.

“This is beautiful. There’s glitter everywhere.” April’s brows arched. “Was my niece involved in this at all?”

“Nic did say his daughter called dibs on heading the decorating committee.”

“Ah, I can see that.” April’s eyes twinkled with laughter. “When did you guys even have time to do this? I mean Lucy and Nic were preparing for their wedding.”

“Before the rehearsal dinner. I let them in on my plan a week earlier and they, along with my mother, all agreed to help. Andy pitched in with the music. If I’d told him I was doing this to woo you, I’m pretty sure he would have been reluctant to help me out. His crush on you is insane.”

April shook her head, her smile bright. “Mine was the first face he saw when he came into the ER last year. I helped to make him feel better, and he’s been pursuing me ever since. It’s hilarious, really. That kid is truly your blood.”

I grinned. That he was.

“So, you’re trying to woo me?”

The corners of my lips lifted. “Am I having any success?”

There was a teasing gleam in her eyes that I loved. Only I got to see sassy, teasing, smart-mouthed April. “Ask me again after prom.”

Our eyes were locked and I felt a slow smile spread across my face.

* * *

April giggled as she sipped fruit punch and went through the reel of photos we’d taken in the photo booth. “A photo booth! I love it. Was this really what prom was like?” she asked. “Did you take goofy pictures?”

Her question diminished my satisfaction at seeing how happy she was. It reminded me that I'd had a hand in robbing her of the rite of passage that was senior prom. “I didn’t stick around, remember?”

She studied the tip of her silver heels. “I mean before I showed up.”

“No.” I’d been too busy feeling like shit for being the pawn to lure her to the gym.

“Don’t get that look of regret, Julian. Please. Tonight has been amazing. I’m loving this so much.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

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