Page 654 of Rock Me All Night
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Sunday, Meg, Kara, and I hit half a dozen stores in search of the perfect dress. Meg settles on a short, hot pink number with matching wedges. She'll be taller than everyone in attendance, including her boyfriend, but she doesn't seem to mind. Kara is perfectly demure in a clingy navy dress that hugs every one of her enviable curves.
And I end up in a long, chiffon, pastel purple gown. It's the kind of girly thing I would have skipped to avoid one of Nathan's not quite kiddingwhy don't you dress like a grown uptaunts.
Fuck him. I like it.
When I get home, dinner is waiting. Take out Thai food. And, better yet, Pete has the entire collection ofThe Hunger Gamesmovies ready.
I melt into the couch all night, wake up in his bed, in his arms. I have to hustle to get to class on time, but I don't mind rushing. I don't mind squeezing in my homework when he's busy with wedding prep. It feels amazing being with him. Like we're a normal couple.
It feels amazing enough that I let myself forget about my dad, about next week, about everything but being with Pete.
* * *
ImeetKara at the airport Friday afternoon. Everyone else flew to Maui yesterday. The guys are rock stars—they can keep to whatever schedule they want. Meg skipped her Thursday classes. Willow took the entire week off. She is the bride to be.
Kara and I weren't willing to skip class. I'm not sure if that makes us admirably devoted or tragically workaholic.
She waits until we're settled in our first class—Tom insisted—seats to launch into real discussion.
"Are you excited?" she asks.
I nod. "Tom seems like a great guy. And Willow too. She almost cried over how happy she was that Pete was happy with me."
She smiles. "I almost cried. Pete's a great guy. And you two are adorable. Not just because you're all blond and blue-eyed and he's all tall, dark, and handsome. He lights up around you. He's gaga."
"I don't know about that."
"Trust me. He is."
How is it everyone knows my relationship better than I do?
"Thanks." I find my Kindle in my purse and pick out a YA novel about a princess finding love. "I hope you're right."
"Do you have any doubts?"
Shit. Not going there. But I don't want to lie either. I'm tired of tip toeing around things. "We haven't talked much about the future."
"You know musicians. They live in the moment. He'll figure it out. And if he doesn't—" She shows off her thick wedge shoe.
"I'm not sure you could take Pete."
She laughs. "No, I'm sure I couldn't." She shifts back into her seat. "Guys, they can be damn stupid sometimes. Don't let him run away from what he wants."
I nod. But she has it all wrong. Pete isn't a gentleman. He doesn't walk away when he wants something.
If he walks, it will be because he doesn't want me.
* * *
The Hawaiian airis sweet and sticky. It's late. Very late. But the warm air has me wide awake.
Even the airport parking lot is beautiful. The sky is a glorious shade of blue and there are tall, tropical trees everywhere.
We take a cab to the hotel and go directly to room 3045, Drew's room, for a combined bachelor/bachelorette party.
The massive room is mostly dark except for the light coming from the TV. Everyone in the band, plus Meg and Willow, is sitting on a couch or on the floor. The bride and groom to be are fawning all over each other. It's not very bachelor party. But it is cute.
