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My dad laughs. “I don’t doubt it. Thank you for watching out for Penny for us.”
I turn the camera toward Alex. “Always,” he says, and it makes my lungs tighten.
“Okay,” I say, turning the camera back so my parents can see me. “I should go. The guys should be here any minute.”
“Have a great time, honey,” Mom says. “We love you. Please text me during the night and when you get home, so I know you’re okay. And you can call me too. I can’t wait to hear about your night.”
“I will, Mom. I love you guys.” I blow them a kiss and end the chat.
Lily looks at me and laughs. “Handsy,” she teases.
“Hey,” Alex says. “Mr. Rose is right. Most guys think they’re gonna get laid at prom.”
“Did you?” Lily shoots back.
“Did I what?”
“Get laid at prom?”
“I went with your mom.”
“Well, the question still stands,” Lily prods.
“No,” Alex finally answers. “We didn’t have sex at prom.”
Lily goes to the mirror near the hall and touches her hair. “Were you two virgins when you got married?”
I can see Alex chewing the inside of his cheek.
“Lily,” I say, slipping my shoes on. “That’s kinda personal.”
“I know, but I’m just curious. I really don’t know anything about how they met and fell in love.” She spins around to look at her father. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
Alex runs his hand through his hair. “Yeah, we were. We gave each other promise rings a few months after we met.”
“Is that like a purity ring?” Lily asks.
“Yup.”
“That’s so sweet and romantic,” I remark. “I would love to have a relationship like that. With someone who I know really loves me for me.”
I look down at the ruby ring and straighten it on my finger. In a way, it was my own promise ring from Alex. He promised to be my friend forever. Even though we hit a speed bump, he’s still honoring that promise.
But ever since the night Cherry died, things have been different. I tried to play it off as nothing when Alex asked me about it the next morning. I could see he was nervous and worried, and I didn’t want to add to his emotional stress.
Actual sparks flew when we kissed. I felt that strange, intoxicating energy zip through my body, setting all the tiny nerves on fire. When I slid under the covers with him, it was like something inside me shifted and took over. I should’ve felt nervous and shy being in bed with a very good-looking, half-dressed grown man, but I wasn’t. Not the teeniest bit. It was as if my body was on autopilot—moving me right into his arms and snuggling up with him in a way that was incredibly, undeniably intimate.
And familiar.
For the first time in my life, I felt a sense of incredible peace.
The void I’ve felt since as far back as my memories go—the homesick feeling that kept me awake in tears for so many nights and pushed me to escape the house and wander, searching for the thing that would fill the void—vanished.
I finally felt at home. In body, mind, heart, and soul. Exactly where I belonged.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since that night. I can still feel the warmth of his lips on mine, the gentle grip of his fingers on my chin, his arm around me as I drift off to sleep. I’m sure Alex felt the connection that night too, even though he either somehow doesn’t remember it—which I don’t believe—or won’t let himself admit it.
But now what? Am I just supposed to forget it happened? How can I possibly do that when every part of me feels like it’s endlessly aching for him? He must feel it, too…I can’t even grasp that he might not feel the same way.
When I look up, he’s watching me. His intense expression sends a flash of heat to the pit of my stomach. The burn spreads to my thighs.
Slowly, I uncross and recross my legs beneath the fluffy gown. His dark gaze languidly travels down the length of my leg to my ankle. My thighs clench when the tip of his tongue wets his bottom lip.
I flex my foot in his direction—a secret gesture to let him know that I know he’s looking. When his attention shifts back to my face, I smile discreetly at him.
Shaking his head, he gives me a sexy grin and winks at me before moving to answer the front door.
I was right. He feels it, too.
Chapter 25
PENNY
Matt and Mitch arrive right on time in a black limo. Even though we’re not going to any parties after prom, the four of us chipped in and got a limo since none of us has ever been in one before.
I feel like a celebrity as I climb into the car. I wasn’t expecting the huge wraparound leather-back seat, TV screen, fiber optic purple lights, and bar.
