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“A gift? Oh, Mom, no. You already bought me the dress, and I know how much that cost.”
“You’re worth it.” She stepped over to the tall antique dresser that had belonged to Lori’s maternal grandmother and opened the top drawer. Removing a black suede oblong box, she handed it to Lori. “Happy prom night, my sweet girl. This is only the beginning of a wonderful future for you. You’ve grown into the most amazing young woman, and we couldn’t be prouder. We love you very much.”
Lori took the box and opened it. Inside lay a silver chain with an “L” pendant and a pair of drop earrings, each embedded with a blue stone.
“They’re sapphires,” Mom supplied.
“Oh wow. Mom. Dad. They’re beautiful.”
“Here.” Mom plucked the necklace out of the box and motioned for Lori to turn around. “Allow me.”
Cool fingers brushed her nape. Clasp fastened, her mom turned her around, her green eyes—the same green Lori had inherited—misty.
“It’s perfect. Put the earrings on.”
Lori removed the silver studs she’d chosen and set them on the coffee table. Crossing to the fireplace, she rose on tiptoes to use the mirror over the mantel. Dad had seemingly forgotten not everyone was as tall as him when he’d hung it. If she didn’t stand on the balls of her feet, she could only see her forehead.
Once the new earrings were in place, she lowered her feet to the floor, turned around, and swept her hands out to the sides. “Well?”
“Gorgeous.” Dad crossed the room and pecked her cheek. “Now, how about a small glass of bubbly? I know you’re not old enough, but…” He pressed his fingertip to his lips. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.” Lori sought out her mother. “You both are.”
Dad poured three glasses of champagne, handing one to Lori. It wasn’t her first drink. Her parents had let her have the odd sip on special occasions over the last couple of years, but this was the first time they had given her an entire glass to herself. She’d better take it easy. Turning up at her prom on the wrong side of sober could only lead to trouble.
Zane… where was he? The clock on the mantel said five minutes after seven. He was late. Her belly tied itself in knots. If he ended up as a no-show, she’d still go. No one would prevent her from attending her own prom. It was all she and her friends had talked about for months. But it’d hurt to attend without him, and she wouldn’t pretend otherwise. Still, the girls would rally round so she didn’t feel left out and alone.
“He’ll be here,” Mom whispered, guessing at the direction of Lori’s thoughts. “It’s Zane. He’s… resourceful.” She chuckled.
“Yeah, but it’s Snake. I mean Stape. Mr. Stape.” Goddammit. “If he chooses to, he could keep Zane in detention all night.”
Another bout of laughter burst out of her mom. “We know you call him Snake, Lori. Your father and I had a bit of a laugh over it when we found out. Not that we would ever admit that in public. And showing your elders respect is something you know we encourage, so don’t take that admission as approval not to show Mr. Stape the reverence he deserves. Managing a classroom full of hormonal teenagers can’t be easy.”
“No, Mom. I mean yes, Mom.”
A knock came at the door. Two firm raps. Lori’s heart all but jumped into her mouth.
“That must be Zane.”
“Well, then.” Mom flicked her wrist. “Go answer it. Don’t keep the boy waiting.”
Lori smoothed a hand over her dress and went to let Zane in. She opened the door, and her lungs flat out stopped working. Damn, his body was tailormade for a tux, all broad shoulders and taut chest tapering to a narrow waist. And when he turned around, no doubt his ass would fill those smart trousers to perfection.
He thrust a corsage at her and flashed his trademark impish grin. “For you, my queen.” He bowed.
“You’re an ass.” She giggled, slipping the corsage onto her wrist. “And you’re late.”
“The best things are always worth waiting for.”
He raked his gaze over her, and heat crept up her neck. Three years of dating and one year since their relationship had taken a natural progression and still he turned her on with a single intense glance.
“You, Lori James, are the hottest, sexiest, most delicious thing I’ve ever seen. Can I please feast on you later?”
“Shhh.” Lori fired a glance toward the living room. “Mom and Dad are in there.”
Zane moved into her body, his hand snaking around the back of her neck and bringing a torrent of goose bumps to the surface. He pressed a kiss to her lips. Hard and fast, and over too soon.
“Hate to break it to you, sexy, but they know we’re fucking.”
