Page 16 of Where the Little Birds Are (Little Bird Duet 2)

I just don’t think they’d offer me the kind of advice that I’m looking for. It’s not that I want them to tell me what I want to hear, but I’d like an honest opinion, not biased.

When Dad rolls up to the curb of the large brick building the winter formal is being held at in the center of town, I stare at the white twinkling lights lining the rails and door out front. A black carpet is placed over the steep steps, and the double doors have snowflakes and flowers hung on them.

“Want me to walk you in?” He’s already turned off the car and unbuckled, so I just smile and nod at him.

Gavin used to tease me for being a daddy’s girl, but I never cared. My father is six-three with muscles he earned from a lot of physical labor over the years. People have compared him to a biker, but I know the truth. He’s a giant teddy bear who’s protective of me. As embarrassing as it can be when he shoots scathing glares at Corbin when the two see each other, I love him.

Dad escorts me into the building, leading me down the dimly lit hallway toward the loud voices and music. Anxiety greets me with every step, but it all disappears when Corbin appears at the end of the hall in a black tux and light blue tie that matches my dress. Everything fits him perfectly, tapered and cut to fit his tall, lean figure. Dad tightens his grip on my arm as I suck in a breath and study Corbin from head to toe.

When we get closer, I notice Corbin is holding something in his hands. Stopping just in front of him, Dad leans down and kisses the top of my head.

He stands tall and stares at Corbin with narrow eyes. “I expect your hands will stay to yourself, boy. Correct?”

“Dad!” I hiss, heat blossoming from the back of my neck and settling into my cheeks.

Corbin’s eyes widen. “Yes, sir.”

Dad lets go of me with a chuckle, smiling before telling me how beautiful I am again. A similar smile tugs across my lips. I watch him leave after giving another warning glance Corbin’s way.

When Dad disappears out the front door, Corbin steps closer

and brushes his hand down my arm. “Your dad is scary but right. You look beautiful, Little Bird.”

I nibble on my lip and gesture toward the box he’s holding. “What’s in there?”

He perks up, fumbling to open it. “I know corsages are usually a prom thing, but I got this made for you.”

When the top opens revealing what’s inside, my jaw drops. “Corbin…”

He pulls out the blue origami bird. “I saw a woman in the town over make custom corsages for formal events. When I sent her pictures of the birds you made, she told me she could make something that matches your dress.”

Eyes watering, I pick it up and examine it closely. There’s something written on the paper in script. When I narrow my eyes to try making out the letters, a hand reaches out and takes it from me.

“It says fly with me.” His voice is quiet as he slides it over my wrist. His thumb caresses the back of my hand as he lifts it up to his mouth and peppers a chaste kiss on it.

“You’re a sap,” I accuse, wiping under my eyes to catch a tear before it falls.

“You love it,” he teases, offering me his arm.

I hesitate, then wrap my elbow around his and let him guide us toward the large ballroom. The truth bubbles inside my chest. “I do,” I say in my quietest voice.

The song we walk in on is something techno that I’ve never heard of. Corbin makes fun of me for my taste in country music, but that’s all I grew up on. It’s no different than his love for classic rock because it’s his father’s favorite. They bond over Def Leopard and AC/DC, just like I bond with my parents over Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Junior.

I giggle, causing him to look over with an amused smile on his face. “What’s so funny?”

I lick my bottom lip. “I still have your AC/DC sweatshirt. My brother gets annoyed when he sees me wear it around the house.”

His smile transforms into a smirk. “It’s yours, Little Bird.”

“I can give it—”

He waves me off. “Looks better on you.”

I lean into him and study the room. Peers dance in groups, moving in ways that’d make my brother blush. Yelping when Corbin spins me around, I catch myself on his chest and keep my palms planted on him as he pulls me closer. One of his arms hooks around my waist as he holds me there.

I laugh when we start slow dancing. “I don’t think we’re doing this right.”

His brows arch. “Would you rather twerk like the rest of them? Pretty sure that girl over there is about to throw her back out.”

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