Page 75 of Catching Feelings

I wrap my arms around her in a tearful hug. God, I’m going to be lost without her next year.

“It’s a good thing you haven’t done my makeup yet,” I manage.

And then we’re laughing, and she’s pushing me away so she can swat me playfully. “Go, go!”

I turn with a smile, walking and then running toward the locker room. The place where this whole unexpected year began.

33. TYLER

I tug at the fit of my suit jacket, doing my best to smooth it down over my chest and shoulders.

I’m not used to wearing this kind of thing. But I have the feeling Sabrina would march me right back out the gates if I showed up inappropriately dressed. I grin. No one I’d rather get ordered around by.

I’m so busy smiling—imagining holding her waist while we dance, running my fingers through her hair, sneaking a kiss during a slow song—that I follow the crowd of students all the way to the entrance to the field without seeing a thing.

And then she’s right in front of me, and everything I was imagining pales in comparison to the reality of her.

She’s taking students’ tickets, beaming at each one. She’s dressed in a short, gauzy blue dress. Lots of petallike layers, dusting the tops of her thighs, lifting slightly every time she moves. She reminds me of a princess—but a princess with legs for days. Tinker Bell, maybe. Was Tinker Bell a princess?

Her skin glimmers in the stadium lights. Her collarbone, shoulders, neck—all exposed and looking so smooth and soft. Her hair is up the way it was on our diner date, and I’m simultaneously glad for the way it shows off the elegance of her neck and am itching to take it down.

I can’t believe she’s mine.

The line inches forward, and I do my best to keep my idiotic smile from cracking my face in half.

“Have a great time!” Sabrina says as she tears the ticket of the student in front of me. “If you post to socials, hashtag HamiltonLakesHomecoming!”

And then she catches sight of me, and her words trickle to a stop.

I grin, letting my eyes drift up and down her outfit one more time before meeting her gaze. “You did it.”

She raises one finger in the air. “We did it.”

I glow with pride. I like being a we with her.

“All right, Miss Spirit Committee.” I gently grasp her arm and start to tug her away from her post. “As your date, I must insist you take a break from managing this event to dance with me.”

“Oh, but who’s going to—”

“For at least three dances.” I pull back just enough to look her over one more time. “It would be criminal to let that dress go to waste.”

She blushes, muttering something about how I have Kara to thank for that, and I can’t help smiling at the sight of Sabrina disconcerted. After a flustered moment of trying to avoid my gaze, she lets her smile creep across her face. “Well, in that case… I think I can agree to your terms. Catch you in a minute? As soon as I can get someone to cover my position.”

I lean toward her ear as I pass, whispering, “Don’t be too long.”

Her eyes follow me as I weave through the crowd and toward the field, and I’ve never felt so proud of myself.

The field is totally transformed from yesterday’s game. The lights are the only thing that’s consistent, illuminating everyone in their finest gowns and suits. Otherwise, it’s a riot of flowers Sabrina got the shop downtown to donate; a photo booth off to the side that people keep piling into and spilling out of with laughter; a buffet of drinks and snacks manned by eagle-eyed teachers.

I can’t imagine any venue being better. And I kinda like the poetry of my success and Sabrina’s being in the same spot.

Nothing feels better than solving a problem for the girl who solves everyone else’s.

The field is already full. Ryan’s in the center of a dance circle, of course, looking entirely recovered from the events of the last few days. Alex and Max dance with him, and Max doesn’t even look disappointed the event isn’t Gatsby themed.

Most of the football team is huddled together near the end zone, and it kinda looks like Kai is trying to teach them “The Super Bowl Shuffle.” I grin—gonna have to get closer to that action while I wait for Sabrina.

Even Dawson and Harper are here, ignoring everything happening around them. Harper’s wearing a long black dress that suits her pale skin and elegant frame, and Dawson’s wearing an impeccably tailored suit—probably his game suit—that shows off his broad shoulders. She’s nestled into his chest, and his arms are around her waist, and he’s grinning like a fool. They look like they’ve never been happier.