Page 59 of Make You Mine

“I hope so,” I whispered. “You’ve already changed mine.”

She pulled away slightly, her gaze locked onto mine as if searching for reassurance. “Tell me we have a real chance.”

I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her delicate jawline. “We do. As long as you want me around, I’m here.”

“I know I have no right to ask this of you, but can you promise me something? Promise you won’t hurt me.”

“I promise,” I affirmed, sealing it with another kiss. “I’m not the hurting kind of man, golden girl. I don’t have that in me.”

She buried her face in my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist to hold me tight.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”

We stayed like this, holding each other, letting the sky grow dark as we rocked together in the swing and watched the night fall over the street.

It was late when I went home, and I fell asleep dreaming about her.

Chapter18

Piper

It was time.

Fake date night at the gala.

We’d made the rules and set the boundaries, but we’d broken them all over the last week. I saw him every morning and evening on my porch where we’d rock on my swing and kiss until we reached the point where he either had to go home or inside with me. So far, he always went home. He respected that I wasn’t ready, and it made me want him even more.

I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my nerves. The significance of the evening weighed heavily on my mind.

With my heart pounding in my chest, I glanced in the mirror, trying to convince myself I could do this. We were supposed to put on a show, but obviously, we’d moved past the illusion.

With her hands on my shoulders, Paige turned me around, studying my face with a critical eye as she set the lip gloss down on my vanity.

“My work is flawless as always. You’re gorgeous. Shower her with compliments, my lovelies. Take it all in.”

“You look pretty, Auntie Piper,” my niece, thirteen-year-old Briar, confirmed.

“This feels like prom night,” sixteen-year-old Lark agreed. “Mom did the same look on me. Totally classic. You look stunning. And I covet that dress. Can I borrow it for the Spring Fling Dance coming up?”

“It’s Violet’s,” I told her. “But I’m sure she would let you. One doesn’t have a need for formal wear that often around these parts. I’ll ask her when I give it back.”

“Nice! Thank you.”

“My winged eyeliner skills are unparalleled.” Paige nodded as she tipped my head side to side to catch the light. “Beautiful. No one question me. I am the queen. It has been declared.”

Turning away from the mirror, I grinned at Paige. “I never went to prom, remember? Justin Bradley dumped me for Jackie Douglas the week before, so I stayed home. Fun times. Story of my life, right?”

Paige tilted her head toward mine. “I remember. Who do you think egged their houses when you were moping around in your room and crying into your pillow?” Her eyes shot guiltily to Lark and Briar, who were sitting on my bed, and I burst out laughing. “It wasn’t me,” she squeaked. “I would never do such a thing. Egging houses is probably some kind of crime. Plus, it’s a waste of food.”

“Really, Mom.” Lark rolled her eyes. “Wehavemet you, you know. You would totally egg someone if they crossed you. Please.”

“Okay, fine. They never knew what hit them. No one messes with family.”

“Someone had to stand up for my honor,” I teased her. “Right, girls?”

“Tonight is a prom redo,” Paige insisted. “You look fab, you have an amazing dress, and Ren won’t know what to say when he sees you. Plus, there will be no awkward attempts at slow dancing or questionable bad punch to worry about.”

“Prom redo? I wouldn’t go that far,” I protested.

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