Page 37 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“Oh, boy. That’s what I was afraid of.”

“Afraid?”

“You’re in love with Nick, yet he’s taking Daisy; while you’re going to prom with Carter. How did you two think this was a good idea?”

In love? I did love him. I think I always had, but I thought it was because he was my friend. Did I love him as my boyfriend? Was there a difference in the way you loved someone? Nick had my whole heart, and I was pretty sure that I had his.

“I think I’m beyond in love with him, Dad.”

“Then why the charades?”

“At first, we didn’t want to be treated differently by our friends. And we didn’t want you and Marge worried about what we were up to on the rooftop because we weren’t up to anything.”

“You sure about that?”

“Dad, do you trust me?”

“Of course I do. I trust Nick as well. And I still think you two should be going to the prom together.”

“Thank you. But don’t worry. We’ve got it covered with Carter and Daisy.”

“Are you fixing them up the way you did to me and Marge?” He laughed.

“Something like that.”

“Just don’t let your heart get broken, sweetheart.”

The only way it would break was if Nick actually left next week.

“So, you’re okay with me and Nick?”

“He’s a good man, Jo.” My father furrowed his brow. “I’m assuming you’re okay with him leaving soon, then?”

“I don’t think I have a choice. I’ll concentrate on my education, I guess. College. Maybe some distance will do us good; you know, bring us closer together. I…”

When I looked into his eyes, the pride shining there was overwhelming. I was afraid I would start crying. My father wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “Your mother would have been so proud of you, baby girl.”

“Thank you.”

“Be careful tonight. And if Nick breaks your heart, tell him he’ll have to deal with me.”

I threw my arms around his neck just as Carter pulled up to the front of the house. Dressed in a light gray suit, he looked very handsome from a distance. Having always kept my focus on Nick, I’d never noticed when the rest of my class grew up.

He greeted my father and gave me a bouquet of white roses, placing a matching corsage on my wrist. I took his offered arm and walked out. Nick was standing on his porch, getting ready to go pick up Daisy. I waved at him, but he didn’t wave back, only nodded. Was he upset? He had agreed to the idea of fixing up Daisy and Carter, so why was his jaw twitching so hard?

“We’ll see you at the party!” Carter called out, and that twitch in Nick’s jaw hardened.

I didn’t look toward Nick again because I was afraid he’d combust. It was only a five-minute drive to the old barn our class had decorated for the event. Since our town didn’t have an official hall, all events, including our prom, were held near the lake.

“You know, I’m grateful that you agreed to come with me. But for the life of me, I can’t figure out why Nick asked Daisy and not you.” He turned on the ignition and the old engine roared. We could have walked the distance, but Carter had borrowed his father’s car to pick me up.

“Why? She’s very beautiful and smart.”

“I know she is, but I still thought you two would be going together. Did you know there was a bet going at school about the two of you?”

“Really?”

“Yup, and I lost twenty bucks when he asked Daisy.”

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