Page 67 of The Prom

I’m shocked as Jesse says the words because I never thought it would be this easy.

He smiles softly. “But I want more, Imogen. I meant it when I told you that, but you are not there with me yet. So–”

He takes a deep breath and the uncertainty in his eyes is endearing as he whispers, “Will you go to the prom with me as my date for the night?”

My heart actually melts as I sense his uncertainty, and yet before I can answer him, he holds up his hand. “I want us to start again. A boy asking the girl he is obsessed with out on a date, hoping like crazy she says yes and hasn’t already given her heart to somebody else.”

My heart sinks. How can I possibly agree when he’s too late? My heart has already gone.

He carries on. “I’ve told you what’s expected of me when I leave. I’ve already made the decision I’m not returning home and will live with the consequences of that.”

“Where will you go?”

I’m shocked but not surprised. He shrugs. “I have options. Frankie offered me a job with his family, but well, I’m trying tosave myself and would you sign a deal with the devil to escape a demon?”

“You make a valid point.” I grin. “He would look after you, though. I already know that. You’re his friend, and loyalty means everything to the Majerios.”

“Sure, but I have other plans.”

“Like what?”

“It definitely doesn’t include farming.”

He frowns, causing me to laugh out loud, and it strikes me how nice this is. How natural, and I appreciate his openness.

“I would like to travel for a year and I’m thinking across the states. I don’t have a passport so international is out, but I would kind of like to see a lot more of this great country and can turn my hand to anything along the way.”

“It sounds like a lonely plan.” I’m worried about him and he shakes his head.

“I’ve been alone all my life. I’m good company.”

“Jesse. I–”

I raise my hand to his face and hold it flat against it, smiling into his eyes as I whisper, “I will be your date to the prom because there is no one else I would rather go with.”

I don’t mind that he kisses me, a soft pressure with no demands. A sweet kiss between two people who share a connection. More friendship than sexual and completely different from the ones I share with Drake. This is the Jesse I fell for when I arrived. Open, honest, cheeky as fuck, and attentive. I’m happy to be his date to the prom but as friends only. Perhaps I can help him that way rather than a full-blown relationship and I appreciate his handling of this situation.

Footsteps running toward us cause us to break apart and as Jesse shines the flashlight, we see Summer heading our way, her phone lighting her path.

“There you are.” She pants, “Frankie wants you in the main chamber, Jesse. He sent me to take your place.”

“He did?”

Jesse seems surprised at that and sighs before turning back to me.

“I’ll catch you later, baby, and thanks.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Jesse. I should be the one thanking you for the invitation.”

He smiles softly. “We’ll talk later.”

He drops a soft kiss on my lips before heading back the way we came, securing his golden mask in place as he leaves us and Summer whispers, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you alone with him down here. I still don’t trust him and Luca doesn’t either.”

“Why not?”

She shrugs. “Because of the people he mixes with when he’s missing in action.”

“The teacher?”

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