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Lori gasped. “Sir—”
Snake’s hand scythed through the air, and then he jabbed his forefinger in her face. She had to jerk her head back to avoid a poke in the eye.
“And as for you, Miss James. Get out of my sight. I shall, of course, inform your parents of your indiscretion.”
“But, sir—”
“Out!”
Lori ran, slamming the door to the classroom behind her. The halls were already empty of seniors. She pressed her nose up against the small pane of glass, watching as Snake ripped into Zane. Her boyfriend stood up straight, hands laced behind his back, and took everything the apoplectic teacher threw at him, nodding in one or two places. He even managed the impossible and kept a smile from forming.
Ducking out of sight when Snake stomped toward the door, Lori waited behind a row of lockers. Five seconds later, Zane appeared, trailing his school bag along the floor.
“Goddamn you, Zane.” She threw her arms around his neck, caught between relief that he’d survived a Snake grilling and rage that he’d screwed up their evening. “You ruined my prom.”
He brushed the sides of her boobs, popping a quick kiss on her lips. “Baby, have faith.”
“But Snake said—”
“Forget him.” He touched his forehead to hers, his palms cupping the sides of her neck, thumbs caressing her jawline. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop me from being at the prom tonight. Go get ready, beautiful. I’ll pick you up at seven as planned.”
“Mr. Quinlan,” Snake bellowed from halfway down the hallway. “I’m waiting.”
“Gotta go.” Zane flashed his trademark easygoing grin. “Laters, sexy.”
He walked away, and so did Lori. And then his voice came at her.
“Damn, Lorelei James. You’ve got the best ass in St. Austell.”
She glanced over her shoulder, then gave it a wiggle. “Maybe you’ll get to see it later.”
“There’s no ‘maybe’ about it, sweet cheeks. Your ass is, and always will be, mine.”
CHAPTER 2
“Maisie, would you look at our beautiful daughter? All grown up.”
At Dad’s comment, Mom glanced up the stairs where Lori had made it halfway down before her parents noticed her approach. But now that they had, and she took in the proud beaming smiles, her heart clenched. Blinking to avoid the resultant black mascara tracks, she held on to the handrail and picked her way down the remaining stairs.
“Oh, Lori.” Mom clasped her chest. “You look like a fairy-tale princess.”
“Don’t,” Lori scolded. “You’ll make me cry and I’ll ruin my makeup.”
Mom brandished her hand in the air in that dismissive way she’d mastered years ago. “Nothing could detract from how gorgeous you are.” She beamed. “Zane is going to go nuts.”
Lori chuckled at her mom’s attempt to get down with the kids, as she often stated. Usually, she was about twenty years out of date, but Lori never told her that. Why hurt her mom’s feelings when she didn’t have to? Made no sense to her.
“If he makes it.”
She’d told her parents what had happened with Snake. Well, most of it. As for the contents of the note, all she’d said was that it was personal. Mom had raised an eyebrow and announced that she didn’t want to know, then followed it up with, “Never did like that teacher very much. Always looks a bit constipated.”
Her mom was an absolute legend.
“He’ll make it. There’s no way he wouldn’t be here for your prom. That boy has it bad.”
Lori nibbled her lip and checked her cell for the hundredth time. Still nothing from Zane. “I hope you’re right.”
“Anyway, come here. Your father and I have a gift for you.”
