Page 110 of To Catch a Firefly

My Ellis.

“Shit,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head. “I’m gonna marry that man.”

Danil leans close as soft instrumental music starts to play. He taps the flower pinned to my breast. “You never did tell me the story behind this. The two blue boutonnieres. Your big romance. What happened that day at prom?”

My lips twist as Ellis smiles my way. Our guests are looking back now, waiting for me to step forward for ourI dos. And Ellis waits at the end of the aisle, ready to accept my hand in his. In mere minutes, we’ll be Mr. and Mr. for the rest of our lives.

But for just a moment, we’re sixteen again.

My answer for Danil is simple.

“I fell in love.”

Chapter 38

Lucky

I was sixteen years old when I fell head over heels for Ellis Cole.

“Lucky?” my mom calls, knocking gently on my bedroom door.

I pull the covers over my head. “Go away.”

“Sweetheart,” she says gently. “I’m coming in.”

My bed depresses as my mom sits beside me. Her hand lands on my back a moment later.

“There’s someone at the door to see you.”

“Who?” I ask, refusing to come out. “Ellis?”

“I think you should go see for yourself.”

Reluctantly, I pull the covers off my face. My mom gives me a soft smile.

“Go look,” she says.

With a great big huff, I climb out of bed and trudge toward the front door. It has to be Ellis. The rest of our classmates are at prom. I try not to let the souring reminder that I’m the only gay kid at school get me down, but, well… It sucks.

When I pull open the front door, readying myself to tell Ellis I’mfineand I don’t feel like being cheered up, the words promptly die on my tongue. ItisEllis, but not like I was expecting. He’s standing out in front of the house, wearing a black tux and holding a sign level with his chest.

Lucky

Will you go to prom with me?

I huff an incredulous laugh, my heart skipping. “What are you doing, El?”

He doesn’t answer, just gives the sign a shake.

I step outside the door, mouth opening and closing a few times. “Ellis… You don’t have to do this. I’mfine. It’s just a stupid dance.”

He holds the sign higher, blocking half of his face.

I look at the sky, shaking my head. My chest feels…tight. But in a good way. Unable to deny my friend, I call out, “What do you think? Of course I’ll go to prom with you.”

He grins, lowering the sign, but then I realize…

“Shit, I don’t have anything to wear.”

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