Page 132 of Hate You, Maybe
“Well, you did a great job for your mom,” he says. “And as predicted, you look stunning.” He bends down to nuzzle my neck. “I had no idea it was possible for any human being to bethisgorgeous. But you, Sayla Kroft, are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Shhhhh,” I put a finger to his lips. “Don’t let my mom hear you. She was already worried about me upstaging her today, which I told her I couldn’t. Obviously. She’s the bride.”
Dexter chuckles. “What did she think was going to happen if you’d agreed to dress up like a sexy elf?”
“Stop.”
“Can’t stop, won’t stop.” His face breaks into a crooked smile. “But let’s go somewhere more private.”
He guides me off the dance floor and over to a quiet corner of the room. We’re surrounded by silk trees draped in fairy lights. Candles flicker everywhere. Wedding music wafts overhead. The effect is breathtaking.
Dex is breathtaking.
“So I have some news,” he says. And I’d almost be nervous except the look on his face is too excited to be anything terrible.
“Good news?”
“Very.” He glances around, like maybe no one else is supposed to hear this.
“Okay.” Now I am nervous.
“I still need more details, and this is all brand-new information, but Wilford told me some anonymous donor forked over a big chunk of cash so we can rebuild the theater and gym with all the bells and whistles. No cutting corners with insurance. We’ll get everything on our lists.”
“Wait. What?” My eyes go wide. “Dex!” I throw my arms around him, and he spins me around until I’m almost too dizzy to stand.
“Crazy, right?” He grins at me. “I didn’t want to take away from your mom’s big night, but I just had to tell you.”
“I’m so glad you did.” I grab his hands, my heart pumping with excitement. “Who do you think the donor is?”
“If I had to bet, I’d say Lincoln James and Hadley Morgan.”
“That’s a good call.” I nod, still processing the news. “I could totally see those two wanting to help out with the storm damage. Either way, no matter who the donor is, this is incredible!”
Dexter pulls back, and he seems to examine every detail of my face, like I’m a canvas and he’s an art student. “You’reincredible.”
“Hey.” Heat blossoms in my cheeks.
“Hey.” He lifts his finger and draws a trail from the tiny scar at my temple, down along my cheek to my chin.
“You’re making me shy,” I say.
“How do you thinkIfeel?” His fingertip slides over to my lips, then he drops his arm. “Being in your orbit … It’s like staring at the sun. You’re so dazzling and bright, even when I close my eyes, the shape of you still glows behind the lids.”
“Whoa.” I shake my head, laughing. “That’s … that’s very poetic of you, Dex.”
“Yeah?” He gifts me with a cheeky grin. “I practiced that speech, you know.” His gaze drops to my mouth, and his midnight pupils dilate. “You ready for more?”
“Always.”
“All right. How about this?” He swallows deeply, and his eyes drift shut for real. “Sayla Kroft, I do love nothing in the world so well as you.”
“Dex.” I gape up at him, a little breathless, waiting until he opens his eyes again. “That’s a line fromMuch Ado About Nothing.”
“I know. Next year’s fall play,” he says. “I memorized the whole scene.”
“Seriously?” I swat at his chest. “You memorized Shakespeare for me?”
“I did.”
