Page 67 of Catch the Sun

Swallowing, I glance around me, thinking perhaps he’s staring at one of the sexy cheerleaders in a slip dress shaking her ass to my left. But when my gaze pans back to him, I know that he’s not. He’s looking directly at me. And his expression hasn’t wavered, hasn’t dimmed or grayed. He sees me and he’s seeing something that brings him awe.

Me with tired eyes and everyday hair that isn’t curled.

Me in a neon-orange dress plucked from a thrift shop rack.

Me…

Staring back at him with the exact same look in my eyes.

Chapter 16

Max

There’s a feeling that comes over a person when they’re waiting for someone to walk through a door and they finally do. At a party or a date. It’s a moment of unrestrained elation, something almost indescribable, and yet we’ve all had that moment—waiting impatiently, anxious with nerves, wondering if maybe they might not walk through the door at all. Maybe they won’t come. Maybe they changed their mind.

And then the door cracks open.

You look up.

Your eyes fixate on their feet first, eager to get a glimpse of that well-worn sneaker you bought for them or their favorite jeweled high heel. Your gaze trails upward, your stomach pitching with triumph, with awe, withthank-fucking-hellwhen you finally settle on the face you were waiting for.

Ella stares back at me with a similar expression, then pops her shoulders a little. A self-deprecating shrug, as if to say, “Here I am.”

She came.

She’s actually here and I can’t bite back the slow-stretching smile as our eyes continue to tangle from twenty feet away.

“Do you want to dance?”

I flinch, forgetting there’s a hand pinching my arm. A high-pitched voice floats to my ear and severs the connection, and it’s not the voice I’m longing tohear. The girl beside me smells like pickling jars and floral perfume, but I miss the scent of citrus and honeysuckles.

“Not really.” I shrug her hand off my arm. I hadn’t even noticed it was there because I was too busy looking for someone I was never expecting to find.

I’m about to step forward when McKay tugs me back, his opposite arm slung around Brynn’s shoulders. “Check it out, man,” he says, scrolling through his text messages. “Party at Morrison’s after the dance. He’s got a keg.”

“It’s going to be a blast!” Brynn chimes in. “Morrison’s parents live right on the lake. They’re setting off fireworks later.” She clasps both hands over her heart and glances up at my brother with a dreamy expression. “Think of how pretty the water will look painted in all those colors. How romantic!”

There aren’t many things I’d rather do less. “Great. Drop me off at home on your way over so I can avoid that.” When my focus pulls back to Ella, she’s already been cornered by one of McKay’s basketball buddies, Jon. He’s leaning forward, whispering something in her ear. One meaty hand lifts to her waistline as her knuckles go white around the punch cup in her fist.

I’m on the move.

“Max!” Libby calls after me. “Where are you going?”

I ignore her. She’s not my date so I don’t feel bad about it. In three seconds, I’m worming my way between Ella and the basketball douche. “Hey, Jon. I heard they’re giving away free beer at the punch stand. All ages. Tonight only.”

Jon’s eyes widen. “Sweet.” He steps away, giving Ella a wink before he vanishes into the crowd.

I remove the punch from Ella’s hand, set it down, then take the opportunity to circle my arms around her waist and tug her flush against me.

“Max.” Ella’s palms plant on my chest, though she doesn’t push me away. “What are you doing? They never give out beer to minors. And he was just telling me about alley-oops.” She feigns interest.

“I’m being a good friend and saving you.”

“Saving me from an innocent conversation?” She glances up at me with only her eyes, long lashes fluttering thoughtfully. “You know me so well.”

A grin spreads as my hands dip to her hips, holding loosely while our feet begin to move. Ella blinks away from my gaze but doesn’t pull free. Her fingerssplay against the front of my chest before she slowly glides them to my biceps and lets them rest there.

I swallow. Her touch is soft and hesitant, like she knows exactly where to put her hands but doesn’t know if she should. “I didn’t think you were coming tonight,” I tell her, my voice hitching slightly. “I’m impressed.”

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