Page 30 of Choosing Forever
“You made it,” I say while Poppy lets me go.
My grandma clucks her tongue. “Did you doubt me?”
“No. But I know how hard?—”
She gives her head one firm shake and pulls me close. Her lips meet my cheek before I’m being held at arm’s length and she’s giving me an up-and-down look.
“You’re a vision, Laney. A dream for that boy of yours.”
I swallow past the ball in my throat. “Thank you.”
“When’s he getting here?”
Poppy waves her phone in the air, drawing our attention. “He’s outside! This isn’t a drill. He’s outside!”
“You better get down there to greet him, then,” Grandma says.
“Or you could stay up here, and I’ll go down and greet him. We could record you going down the stairs, and you could keep it to play at your wedding one day. Oh, I just gave myself the shivers,” Poppy rambles, hearts in her eyes.
I roll my lips. “Isn’t that a little cliché?”
“Cliché? You’re going to prom with the same guy you’ve been dating since you were fifteen. There’s a literal promise ring on your finger, Delaney. No offense, but can it get more cliché than all of that?”
“She has a point,” Grandma interjects, smoothing a hand down my crown.
I exhale, automatically reaching to twirl the thin band on myleft finger. “Alright. But at least tell him that I’m not trying to back out of going.”
“Deal,” Poppy says at the same time the doorbell rings. “I’ll call you down when we’re ready!”
I let her go without another argument, and Grandma wraps an arm around my shoulders. The soothing motion of her rubbing my bicep has me relaxing slightly.
“Your parents wish they were here to see you today. You know that, right?”
“I do. There’s nothing they could have done to make it work.”
Grandma sighs and holds me tighter than a frail old woman should be able to. “You’re my girl, Laney. I’m so proud of you, and so are they. One day, we’ll all be here together to celebrate you and the beautiful life you’re going to have.”
“I know. I’m pretty sure the entire hall could hear them cheering over video during the grad ceremony.”
“Good.”
I wouldn’t have chosen for my parents to both work jobs that have taken them all over the world, but it’s what’s given me the childhood I’ve had. Them being in London this week instead of here to watch me graduate and attend my one and only prom hurt at first before I reminded myself that they’d be here if they could.
And I’ve got my grandma and Grayson with me. Not to mention Darren, Poppy, and the entire Huntsly family.
“Let’s get you down to see Darren now, hmm?”
A swarm of butterflies fills my stomach. I can’t stop the climb of my smile.
“Yeah, it’s time,” she adds, taking in my reaction.
We leave my bedroom, and I grip her arm a bit tighter the closer we get to the staircase. Darren’s voice travels toward me.
“If you’re trying to build anticipation, Poppy, I don’t think I can handle any more.”
“It’ll be worth it.”
“I know. She’s worth everything.”
