Page 136 of The Way We Win

He hasn’t stopped frowning when he says, “You’re asking me to the prom?”

“Yes, please.” Austin’s eyes dance, but he’s holding a straight face.

Edward’s back straightens. “Well... you’re objectively handsome, and you’re arguably the best football player on the team.” He nods at the sign and visual aid. “Your prom-posal is unexpected and daring, which I admire. However, you should know I’m not a homosexual.”

A laugh bursts through my son’s nose, and he covers his mouth with his hand, clearing his throat. “Since you put it that way, I’m not either, but that doesn’t matter.”

“I’m not a senior.”

“I am.”

Edward’s upper lip curls. “Do you want me to wear a dress?”

“No!” Austin almost laughs again, but instead he steps forward to put a hand on Edward’s shoulder. “You’re my best friend. Let’s go and have some fun with the rest of the class. Okay?”

Rachel’s brother hesitates a moment. Then he almost seems pleased, nodding. “I’ll bring my earplugs.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven. Wear a tux.”

The library bursts into applause, and a few kids whistle. I put my hand over my mouth as I smile, shaking my head.

Austin walks around to lean on the short bookcase beside his best friend, and I couldn’t be more proud.

“Look at this one!”Rachel has her phone out, swiping through her pictures of Austin and Edward posing in front of a large oak tree in front of her house.

Austin is on his knee, and Edward is staring at him confused.

“Those boys crack me up.” Raven laughs, swiping through Rachel’s pictures, showing us one where Austin pins a boutonniere on Edward’s lapel. “I hate we’re missing all the fun stuff. We’ve got to move back to Newhope before all the kids are grown.”

“You’re here for the big things.” I put my arm around her shoulders, giving her a cup of purple drink. “Like my wedding… my kidnapping…”

“Gah!” Raven cries, waving her hand. “Don’t even say that! I’m so glad you’re okay, and that creep is behind bars for good.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Liv holds up her cup, and I grab a cup as well.

We’ve made it all the way to June. Graduation was last weekend, and tomorrow, all my dreams will come true.

After months of planning—which I pretty much completely turned over to Craig’s wedding-planner boyfriend Clint—I’ll walk down the aisle and marry Jack Bradford, the man of my dreams.

With everything that’s happened since Christmas, I don’t even know what all I said yes to, but after three weddings and a birthday party, Clint has proven he has impeccable taste.

The ceremony will be held in the park overlooking the bay down by the pier. We’ll say “I do” under an arch covered inpink bougainvillea, with bouquets of white lilies and neon-pink azaleas.

Jack and I agreed since it’s a second wedding for both of us, we want to keep it small—family and close friends only. Still, he’s a minor celebrity, so we expect some spectators to be on hand.

I found a beautiful dress at one of the boutique stores in town. It’s a knee-length cream-colored silk with spaghetti straps and tiers of chiffon on the top and over the skirt. I’ll wear my glasses, my hair up, and paint my lips red as a sexy inside joke.

And tonight, we’re having our usual bachelorette party—complete with purple drink, or virgin purple drink for Dylan—this time in my honor.

“They were so handsome.” I take out my phone to show the pictures we took at my place with Jack and Kimmie. “I can’t get over how grown they looked in tuxedos!”

Kimmie watched the whole thing with amazement, holding my hand tightly. She only cried a little bit about not being able to go, but we took her for ice cream to make it up to her.

“They look hot.” Liv leans forward to look at my phone. “I bet all the girls were tripping over their heels to dance with them.”

“I can confirm they were.” Dylan walks out of the kitchen holding her very pregnant stomach with one hand and a tray of toast points in the other. “They looked like models, and Austin had a blast. I couldn’t tell how Edward felt.”

“You feeling okay, Dee?” I take the tray from her, putting it on the bar.

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