Page 52 of The Prom

Siri rolls her eyes. “The guys are shooting pool and have the beers lined up the length of the bar. It appears they are more interested in shooting those balls than their own tonight.”

Summer laughs out loud. “That’s not what Luca told me. In fact–” She glances at the time on her phone. “I have exactly thirty minutes before he wants me naked in his bed.”

“Gross.” Siri pretends to gag and I’m surprised at Summer. I never had her down as the submissive type and she catches my concern and winks. “That’s the easy part. Tonight, I have a notion to tie him up and have my wicked way with him. Torture him a little for choosing the guys over me and ordering me around.”

Siri nods emphatically. “You go girl, mind you–”

Her gaze drifts to Jack, who is currently bent over the pool table taking his shot and smiles dreamily. “Jack treats me with respect in every way. When I’m with him, I’m a princess. He is considerate attentive and–”

“Boring.” Summer yawns, earning her a sharp nudge in the ribs from Siri.

Cassie joins in the laughter. “So, we still haven’t fixed our idea for the prom. We should agree on a theme.”

“But–” I open my mouth to tell her we already have the theme and she holds up her hand.

“I mean,ourtheme. I’m thinking masked Roman goddesses. Bagsy Bellona.”

“Who is she?” Siri asks and Cassie grins.

“The goddess of war. Her main attribute is the military helmet worn on her head; she often holds a sword, spear, or shield, and brandishes a torch or whip as she rides into battle in a four-horse chariot.”

“Good luck recreating that.” Summer chuckles, “Although I’m jealous of the whip.”

Siri nods. “I’ll be Minerva. Another goddess of war who wins with strategy rather than force. She is multi-faceted, as she is also the goddess of wisdom, law, and justice and medicine. That’s a lot to occupy her time and I call that one.”

Summer shrugs. “Choose one for me.”

Siri grins. “What she means is, she knows fuck all about Roman goddesses.”

“Busted.”

This time Summer nudges Siri and they share a grin that has developed over years of friendship.

I think of one and add. “I say you’d be good as Nemesis. The Goddess of retribution, vengeance, and balance.”

“I like that.” Summer grins. “Sums me up nicely.”

They turn to me and Siri smiles. “Imogen is definitely Venus. The Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.”

“Less of the fertility, please. I’m not ready for that.”

We share a collective grin as our theme has been set and Cassie smiles happily. “We should research the kinds of outfits they wore. Definitely gold masks and–”

“Not centurion ones.” Summer says firmly.

“No way.” Siri smiles enthusiastically. “I’ll get onto it. I can’t wait to trawl the internet. There are some cute ones on there—not that I haven’t already got several marked on my prom Pinterest board.”

“Then we’re all set.” Summer casts a longing gaze at Luca whose own expression, as he stares directly at her, would scorch the soul of the devil himself.

“So, that’s a wrap.” Summer raises her eyes. “Sorry guys, I must dash. You know, things to do, places to go and all that.”

As she leaves, Siri remarks drily, “More like one person in particular to do.”

We watch her leave, closely followed by her dark prince and Cassie’s eyes immediately swivel to Frankie, who nods his head in the direction of the stairs.

“That’s my cue.” She winks. “And I’m not talking about the one he’s holding, either.”

Another one bites the dust, leaving Siri gazing longingly at Jack and Jesse, who are still deep in conversation.

---