Page 41 of Love Rewritten

“That was beautiful,” Dr. Kraus says when I reach him, and he pulls me into a hug.

I smile and wait for Danny to perform. He takes his position once called upon and reads a section from the beginning of his novel. I’ve gathered that it’s just before the big turning point happens, but he leaves us hanging when he stops right before a big action scene that’s sure to change the whole course of the novel. He also gets a well-deserved standing ovation before taking a spot next to Madison and me on the side.

Dr. Jones finishes her final remarks after the crowd dies down. When we are finally permitted to go back to our tables, I’m relieved. Everyone has returned to wandering the large room and mingling, so I don’t feel so awkward when everyone I invited stands and hugs me in one big group hug.

“I have a surprise for you,” Dallas says when he parks the car in the empty lot of the park, which has quickly become one of my favorite places. He opens my door and offers me his hand to step out.

“I’m in a dress,” I say, looking down at myself once I’m standing.

He tosses his suit coat onto my seat before shutting the door. I swallow, taking in the site of him when he turns.

“I know, just indulge me for a bit.” I roll my eyes but start walking toward that unmarked path. “Wait,” he says, grabbing for my hand. I spin around and furrow my brows. “Turn around but stay where you are.”

I cock my head, pausing a moment before deciding to listen. Once I’m staring at that path again, some shuffling starts behind me. I jump a little when I see both of Dallas’s arms come down around either side of my head. He holds his black tie sideways in both hands before everything goes dark, and he secures it around my head.

“What is happening?” I ask with a little giggle.

“You’ll see. Can you walk okay in those shoes?” he asks. When I nod, he says, “Okay. Stay close. I’ll tell you if you need to watch your step.”

He takes my hand in his and starts leading us toward what I’m assuming is the path. I gather my dress into my free hand when I hear the crunching of sticks beneath my heels. I follow his instructions as we make our way farther. I can tell when the clearing opens up because the breeze from the pond drifts lightly past us. He leads me a little farther before stopping.

“Hold on.” Cool night air hits my hand when he lets go. More shuffling of his feet sounds ahead of me before I can feel his body heat directly in front of me. “Ready?” he asks with both hands on either arm. I nod and he moves behind me. I feel his fingers wrap around the knot at the back of my head before he pulls the tie loose, and it falls from my eyes.

What I see before me almost makes me cry.

Chapter 16

Dallas

IwaitforAbbytosay something, anything, but she doesn’t. She stares straight ahead, still as a statue. I move to her side and see her eyes welling up in tears.

“Woah, what’s wrong?” I ask, moving in front of her now. I cup her cheeks in my hands and wipe the single tear that falls from the movement.

She shakes her head and starts to smile. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing is wrong, Dallas.”

“Happy tears?” I ask, concern still lacing my features.

She nods frantically and pulls me into a hug. “Thank you,” she mumbles into my shirt.

I chuckle, clutching her tight. “You haven’t even gone over there yet.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s already perfect.” She holds me for a few moments longer but then decides she does want to wander closer to the setup under the tree. She pulls away. “Okay, maybe I am curious what’s over there.”

I leave her to scope out the place herself. Being almost eleven at night, it’s already dark, but the area is lit up by a string of lights above a yellow and black plaid blanket laid out on the ground. On the blanket sits a tray with two wine glasses and the bottle of wine Logan so graciously picked out. A red; he’d said it was more romantic and based on Abby’s other tastes in alcohol, that was his best guess.

It’s not much, but it’s more effort than I’ve ever put into a date in my entire life.

“What’s this?” she asks, picking up a thin box with a bow on top.

“Open it,” I say with a smile.

She cocks her head. “Another present?”

“A congratulations gift.” I roll my cuffs to my elbows and approach her, stuffing my hands in my pockets while she undoes the bow.

“But I didn’t win first place.” She doesn’t look up as she drops the ribbon onto the blanket.

“So? You still got nominated. That counts for something. And then you came in second place? That’s huge, Abby. Be proud of yourself. I know I am.”

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