Page 135 of The Jack*ss in Class

I spotted Gryff by the staircase, looking sharp in his own classic black tux, chatting with Bettie. When he saw me, he broke into a grin.

“Look at you,” he called out. Then in a really bad Sean Connery impression he said, “Shaken, not stirred.”

“Says the guy who color-coordinated his pocket square with Bettie’s dress,” I shot back, noting the gold accent that matched Bettie’s floor-length gown perfectly.

Bettie laughed, looking elegant and confident. “I told him it was required. KAT tradition.”

“The things we do for beautiful women,” Gryff said with an exaggerated sigh, though the way he looked at Bettie made it clear he didn’t mind a bit.

“Speaking of beautiful women,” I said, “where’s my date?”

“Still upstairs with the finishing touches committee,” Bettie explained. “You know how Parker gets with a makeup brush. Perfection takes time.”

Parker herself appeared then, stunning in a violet dress that matched her hair, Artemis at her side in a sleeksilver suit that complemented her athletic frame perfectly.

“Kingmans,” Artemis nodded at me, then bumped fists with Gryff. “You clean up nice. Both of you.”

“Not so bad yourself, Art,” I replied. “Rugby season end well?”

I should know, because she and Gryff had eternal debates over which sport, football or rugby, was tougher. But I’d been a bit distracted this semester. Falling in love.

“National champions,” she said with the casual confidence that had always drawn Gryff to her. I’d never been sure if there was something romantic between them or if they were truly just best friends.

The conversation flowed easily, but I kept glancing at the staircase, anticipation building. Mrs. Henderson hovered at the edges of our group, her hawkish gaze following our every move. I caught her whispering something to one of the chaperones, her eyes narrowed in my direction.

Then the room went quiet.

I turned toward the staircase and time simply... stopped.

Time, my heart, the world around us... all stopped.

Tempest stood at the top of the stairs, a vision in shimmering black and silver. The Rose Vond dress flowed over her curves like liquid starlight, the fabric catching the light with every breath she took. Her dark hair was swept up in an elegant style that left a few curls framing her face. The necklace I’d given her glittered at her throat.

She was breathtaking.

But it wasn’t just the dress or the hair or the makeup.It was the way she held herself, shoulders back, chin high, a small smile playing at her lips. Confident. Radiant. Taking up exactly the space she deserved.

“Wow,” I breathed, not even realizing I’d spoken aloud until Gryff elbowed me in the ribs.

“Close your mouth, bro. You’re drooling.”

I ignored him, moving to the bottom of the stairs as Tempest began her descent. Our eyes locked, and the rest of the room faded away. There was just her—my brilliant, beautiful Tempest, the woman who had completely upended my life in the best conceivable way.

When she reached the final step, I held out my hand. She took it, her fingers warm against mine.

“You are... I don’t even have words,” I managed, my voice rougher than I’d intended.

Her smile widened, a hint of shyness beneath the confidence. “You look pretty incredible yourself, Kingman.”

I fumbled with the corsage box, suddenly clumsy despite years of athletic training. “I got you this. I know it’s kind of dorky and old fashioned, but I hope it’s okay.”

She looked genuinely touched as I slipped the delicate arrangement onto her wrist. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

“Picture time,” Hannah called out, herding everyone toward the grand staircase. “Let’s get the whole Donkey Sitters Club together.”

We assembled for photos—couples, friend groups, the entire senior class. Through it all, I couldn’t take my eyes off Tempest. The way she laughed with her friends, the way she fit so naturally against my side, the way she glowed with a happiness I’d never seen from her before.

As we prepared to head out to the cars, Mrs. Henderson stepped forward, clipboard in hand.

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