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“Of course, sunshine.” Connor winks. “What my girl needs, she gets. Ain’t that right, Dev?”
Devlin huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah. Real attentive lover type, you are.”
Connor clicks his tongue and shoots me a finger gun.
“Okay, if a few of you could head to that corner to set up the photo booth station,” I say, addressing the soccer team. “We need help to hang the decorations from the rafters, so speak to the custodial staff. Then the rest of you will help with the draping.”
“You heard her, guys. Chop, chop,” Connor says.
He doesn’t move right away, keeping me in his embrace. His gaze darts around, sweeping the room like he’s looking for a threat.
“Has Coleman been around?”
“He went to pick up the lighting rental. Why?”
“Just checking.” He’s being evasive and keeps looking around, as if he expects something to take him by surprise.
Connor is odd like that for the rest of the afternoon, on edge and wary of everything. He barely leaves my side, hovering over me as soon as he finishes the tasks I give him. Despite my shadow, we’re able to get most of the decorating done, and I walk out of the gymnasium at the end of the night feeling a sense of accomplishment.
With the logistics taken care of, I can finally allow the excitement for the big dance to creep in.
Twenty-Seven
Thea
Seeing the room all set up and walking in the night of the dance are two different things. It steals my breath as Connor and I pass through the shimmering curtains draped in the entrance.
For once, I feel completely confident. Like the goddess I’m always telling myself to be, dressed in a flowing pink dress that makes me feel amazing, my hair down in soft curls, and my handsome boyfriend escorting me. The flower crown he presented me with when he picked me up helps with the goddess vibes, a beautiful mix of yellow anemones and pink roses sitting on my head. He’d said he wanted to give me the sun, but this was the closest he could get to suit a queen. My heart hasn’t stopped glowing with warmth since.
Connor’s hair is combed and styled the same as it was the night of the benefit for the children’s hospital, and he looks so good in a gray suit that complements his eyes.
“Wow, it really came out nice,” I murmur in awe.
“Of course it did. You were the brains behind it all.” Connor kisses my cheek. “Nerds, right? The best.”
“Oh, now they’re the best?” I tease. “Your tune’s changed since I found out about you being a computer nerd.”
“Like I said. The best.”
He chuckles, drawing me toward the balloon installation—a pearlescent white and silver arched confection—to set us up for a selfie. He wraps me in his arms from behind, playing with the material of my dress, and I lift my hand to touch his face as he leans over my shoulder.
Once he takes a couple of us smiling, I turn his face to mine for a kiss. We take a few more photos, then dive into the fray of the dance. It’s perfect and amazing.
“Thea! Oh my god, you look so pretty!” Nina, one of Connor’s friends from the popular crowd, gives me a big hug. Her friend Bailey holds up her phone and takes a photo of the two of us. “Bishop, take one of the three of us.”
These girls were never outright mean to me, but they never made an effort before I began dating Connor, either. I was invisible to them. We’ve reached a point where we briefly talk in the mornings when we all pull into the student lot.
Bailey hands off her phone and comes to pose on my other side.
“You both look amazing, too,” I say.
“Thanks,” Bailey says as she squeezes me between her and Nina.
They work it for the camera as Connor obediently captures us. I hesitate for a second, then laugh as we get into it.
“Just what the world likes, hot chicks rubbing up on each other,” Connor says.
“Connor!” My cheeks heat.
