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“Give it a rest, Gladys,” I said as my grandaunt snapped another picture of me. “This isn’t prom.”
“Oh, hush. You spoiled my moment by not going to your prom, so give me this. You look so handsome.”
The doorbell rang. I sprang to my feet and hurried from the living room. “There’s Maddix now. Don’t wait up.”
“Door locks at eleven.” She followed me into the hall. For an older gal with “bad knees,” she sure could move fast.
“Haha, very funny. I’m not eighteen anymore.”
I opened the door. Maddix stood on the porch, looking drop-dead gorgeous in a pair of close-fitting jeans and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Of course, this would be his semiformal look. Did he have to pull it off so well?
“Troy, wow,” he said.
“Yeah, I know. I look overdressed when standing next to you.” I’d taken semiformal literally, wearing dress pants with a checkered vest over a long-sleeved shirt. My dress shoes shone like the gleam in his eyes.
“Actually, I was going to say you look amazing. Maybe I should have dressed up. I’m gonna look like your poor cousin.”
“No need to change.” I’d be damned if I spent another minute with Gladys so he could swap outfits. I looked over my shoulder. Gladys stood behind me with her camera ready. “All right. Just one more pic.”
“Then make it good. Get closer.” She fanned her hand to indicate that I should shift to the left. Maddix slipped a hand around my waist, startling me. I glanced up at him, and he stared back, his eyebrows arched as if asking me if there was a problem.
“Perfect. Just like that.”
Gladys snapped way more than one photo, but Maddix’s mesmerizing blue eyes held me in a trance.
“Maybe I can get one where you kiss—”
Trance broken.
“Let’s go, Maddie.” I dashed down the steps. “Gladys, go to bed early. You know, your knees.”
“I’ll do just that.”
I shook my head. I had a feeling she would be off to the strip club as soon as we’d left. The bouncers really needed to stop letting her in, but they found humor in the situation. The women who worked at the Pink Lips were only too happy to give her a lap dance too.
Jesus, this town.
I’d forgotten how fun it could be. Not because there were a million and one things to do. Atlanta was far more active, but that never mattered to me. I wasn’t a social butterfly. No, the people of Rosewood Pines made the town interesting.
I walked outside but stopped dead in my tracks. A black limousine was parked in the driveway. “Maddix.” I hissed. “What did you do?”
“Thought we could ride together in style.”
“It’s too much.”
“Come on, Troy. We never got a chance to do prom together. Let me have a little fun with it.”
I hated those puppy dog eyes of his. This powerful, virile man didn’t have any business looking so damn cute when he pulled his brows together like that.
“Fine, but don’t forget. I say when we leave.”
***
The reunion wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. Half an hour after arriving, the knot in my stomach eased. Maddix stayed by my side, which earned us quite a few looks. If he noticed, he didn’t acknowledge it. Whenever my glass was empty, he fetched me drinks until I asked him if it was his nefarious plan to get me drunk so he could take advantage of me. He grinned and whispered back he didn’t need to get me drunk to take advantage.
As I mingled with my classmates, I was shocked so many of them remembered me. Not the me that was bullied and ridiculed throughout senior year, but the one who gave the memorable valedictorian speech. Who knew they’d actually paid attention? They remembered I got a full scholarship to Georgia Tech.
Although there was a live band, Madds Around the Bend was down to perform a few of their songs. The familiar chords and melodies filled the room, evoking a wave of nostalgia sweeping through the attendees. Couples flooded the dance floor, having the time of their lives. I gave in and danced with Ashlee once but then became the wallflower I was used to being.
