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“Daze…” His voice drifts as he drinks me in, his gaze touching me everywhere, all at once. His brows draw together and I can tell he’s trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be and coming up with nothing.
I glance down at my Lancaster Prep sweatshirt. It’s not a part of our uniform rotation. They sold this particular shirt in the student store our sophomore year and I’ve always loved it. It’s got the giant Lancaster family crest on the front of it with Lancaster written beneath it. It doesn’t even say Prep anywhere on it, which I thought was perfect for tonight.
“You look…amazing.” He approaches me and everything else fades. All I can focus on is him. His beloved face and his comforting presence and also the fact that he’s so gorgeous, he makes my body ache.
“Thank you.” I’m feeling shy, which isn’t abnormal but God, I really wish I could get over this.
“You wore your hair down.” He reaches out, brushing a few strands from my shoulder, and tingles break out all over my skin. “For me?”
“This entire costume is for you,” I admit. “But I don’t think you figured it out yet.”
His gaze sweeps over me, lingering on the sweatshirt. The necklace I’m wearing. Realization hits and he meets my gaze. “You’re wearing that necklace. The one we saw at the store. The one I checked on earlier.”
Reaching up, I brush my fingers over the tiny gold A charm. I had money from my birthday and I spent it on this necklace. I wanted to wear his initial on a chain around my neck to please him. To show everyone that he belongs to me. The daisy earrings he gave me for my birthday are in my ears, their solid weight reminding me that daisies are his favorite. That I’m his favorite, just like he’s mine. “I am.”
“You’re the one who bought it?” He chuckles, shaking his head. I can tell he’s pleased but still a little confused. “I give up. Who are you supposed to be?”
I take a step forward, our bodies gently colliding and he automatically rests his hand on my hip, keeping me in place. Pressed right next to him. “I’m Arch Lancaster’s girlfriend.”
The joy sparkling in his blue eyes has my heart racing. “Hell yeah, you are. That’s your costume? You dressed up as my girlfriend?”
“Well yeah. I wore my hair down because you like it, but I kept a couple of small braids because you seem to like those too.” I point at the braids on either side of my head. “The sweatshirt has your name on it and nothing else. And the necklace.” I’m rubbing the A charm again, the nerves coming back when he still hasn’t said something.
“Maybe it was a stupid idea,” I tell him when he remains quiet. “I thought it would be kind of fun, but it’s also a little lame, huh. I’m so—”
He kisses me, cutting off my rambling, and I fall into his kiss, returning it with all of the pent-up emotion I’ve been keeping to myself for way too long. He coaxes my lips apart and our tongues glide against each other, and when he slips both arms around my waist and clutches me close, I cling to him, relieved that he likes it.
That he likes me being his girlfriend.
FIFTY-TWO
ARCH
I crush Daisy to me,pressing my face against her soft hair, breathing in her familiar floral scent. She smells good, she feels good, she looks so fucking good. Wearing my initial and the Lancaster sweatshirt and telling me her costume is Arch Lancaster’s girlfriend.
It’s perfection.She’sperfection. And she was so damn nervous too. I could see it written all over her. Her voice was slightly shaky and fuck.
I love her.
Kissing the top of her head, I pull away slightly so I can stare into her beautiful golden- brown eyes. “I’m glad you came.”
“I had to.” Her smile is tremulous, and I don’t know how she can still feel doubt over me. Over us.
Can’t she see it in my eyes? My actions? Feel it when I touch her? She owns me. She’s owned my heart since she broke it. Now she’s put the pieces back together and I feel whole.
Only with her.
“You’re beautiful.” She has a lot of makeup on her face and I know that Edie worked her magic. She’s always been good at this kind of stuff. And while I think Daisy is stunning with it on, she’s just as beautiful with no makeup at all too.
“So are you,” she whispers, her arms tightening around me. “Superman.”
“Is it too cheesy?”
“No.” She tips her head back, laughing. “I think it’s perfect.”
She tugs at the front of my fake button-up shirt, the snaps undoing with ease, revealing the Superman shirt completely. With her fingers she slowly traces over the giant S in the middle of my chest, her touch making me shiver.
Glancing around, I wonder if anyone would notice that we took off. Fuck this party.
