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“Unless what?”
“You don’t want to come with me? I don’t want you to feel forced… plus, what would the nosey townspeople say about you coming to prom with me? You’re older than me…” I whisper because suddenly speaking out loud is too much for me. Nerves swim deep inside of me and maybe this was a bad idea.
“Fuck them assholes, so what?” he spits, and I know I struck a nerve. I watch as he slowly exhales before his eyes land on my lips, my nose, my eyes. The air shifts between us and I no longer feel anchored to the ground. “Dinks, why wouldn’t I want to take you to prom? Who else would take you? One of those little weasels from school?” his eyes bounce back and forth between mine.
I shake my head from side to side.
“Only you,” my voice cracks, my cheeks flame scarlet.
“Then let me take you to prom, I look good in a tux.” He winks, finally stepping back away from me and tipping the rim of his hat down, “Let’s hang out tonight, just me and you. It’s been too long.”
I smile.
“Are you going to be able to commit to those plans grandpa? You’ll be tucked into your bed and asleep by seven,” I laugh and he shakes his head slowly, his boots now toe to toe with mine once more.
“I’ll be there Dinks, for you… I’ll always be there.”
My eyes don’t leave his and I see a slither of vulnerability slice through his beautiful light green eyes as he presses his lips to my forehead. I knew Riggs didn’t feel anything other than a ‘sister love’ for me. He didn’t see me as the young woman I was becoming. I was just Aspen ‘Penny’ Warren.
I loiteredby the fence line, checking my watch every few seconds. It had just gone seven and as the minutes pass, I begin to worry that he has fallen asleep or something has come up that he hasn’t been able to get out of.
I blow out my cheeks, but don’t exhale my breath when I see Riggs walking from the bunkhouse and my heart flutters in my chest. He came.
Riggs is in front of me in seconds and I see the crooked smile that lifts his lips and my own smile grows.
“You made it!”
“Of course, I would always make it.”
My cheeks blush. It’s mad how easily he puts me under his spell. We stand for a moment, in the stillness of the night, nothing but the rustle of the leaves that dance in the wind surrounding us. No one else to watch us apart from the stars that twinkle above us.
Footing my boot on the bottom of the fence, I climb up and swing my jean covered leg over and jump down the other side.
“New jeans?” he asks, a twinkle in his eye as they roam over me. I’m wearing a cream tee under a cream and brown check flannel shirt and dark wash Levi skinny jeans with brown cowboy boots.
“Theyarenew Mr. Rivera, good eye,” I wink as I flick my braid over my shoulder.
“Always,” he winks back and we head towards his house.
“Where we going?” I ask as I fall a couple of steps behind him, my brows pinching as we walk towards his house.
“To get the best view of the stars, Dink.”
“The best?” I smile, picking up my pace to catch him up, my skin prickling with anticipation, excitement thrumming through me.
“Only the best for you,” and my heart jumps in my chest, my inner self already picturing me in a wedding dress, Riggs in a tux as he waits at the end of the aisle for me.
We walk into the Rivera home, and it’s not unusual for me to be here, or to go into Riggs’ room. Or any of the boys rooms to be honest. We are all friends. We’ve grown up together. I go to take my boots off like I normally do but Riggs shakes his head.
“Oh.” I utter.
He leads me upstairs, and I automatically turn to walk down the large hallway towards his bedroom but he lets out a soft chuckle and gently shakes his head again. Pausing for a moment, he looks up and points to the attic.
Reaching up, I don’t miss the opportunity to steal a look as his tee rides up his torso slightly, showing me his tanned skin, his toned stomach peeking at me, teasing me and I can’t stop my mind taking me to places I know it shouldn’t.
The attic door drops as he tugs the ladder down.
“You coming?” he waits for me to answer and the pause stretches a little longer than I anticipated as my thoughts whirl.
