Page 79 of The Prom

When I headinto the hall, the first person I see is Cassie, and she wastes no time heading my way. “Are you okay, honey?”

“Sure.”

She smiles with relief. “I didn’t want to disturb you. When I got your message earlier, I told the others to leave you alone. Are you coming down with anything?”

As I picture Drake going down on me several times today it brings a smile to my face, and she peers at me with concern. “You do look a little flushed, glowing even.”

“I feel better now, thanks.”

I distract her attention when I see Luca leaning against a pillar on his phone.

“Luca doesn’t appear happy to be here.”

She rolls her eyes. “He’s spent more time dragging Summer behind the pillar than erecting it and no prizes for guessing what pillar he was erecting.”

“Cassie. Oh my God.”

I blush even more furiously and she grins. “The guys are pissed. It would have been better if they’d been somewhere else when the principal caught us. Jack’s the only one doingany actual prop building. The others are merely complaining or attempting to make out with their girls.”

She glances around the room. “Speaking of which, Jesse is concerned about you. He’s bent my ear all day about you and asked if you’ve said anything about him and does he think you’re still interested.”

“I’m sorry, Cass.”

I smile my apology and she shrugs. “I couldn’t answer him. Are you still interested in Jesse, Imogen, or has that ship never really got into the water?”

“I like him, but as a friend.”

She nods, understanding reflecting in her smile.

“It’s what I thought.” She sighs. “We can’t win them all, I suppose. What are you going to do about it?”

“I’ve already told him.”

Her mouth drops. “Did you tell him in a different language because he doesn’t appear to have understood?”

“Why, what’s he said?”

I’m concerned that he missed the memo, and she lowers her voice. “That the prom will make or break your relationship and he’s going to try to make it right for you.”

“He’s too late.” I shrug. “It shouldn’t be so difficult to be with a guy. He created this mess and I’m not the one who wants to clear it up.”

“I understand, babe. I’d be the same.”

Jack heads our way and huffs with frustration. “Can you have a word with Jesse, Imogen? He’s been pining for you all day and has been as much help as a chocolate pot on a fire.”

Cassie makes to speak and I say hastily, “Sure. Where is he?”

“Nailing Rome to the paneling, if I’m not mistaken.”

Jack grumbles as he walks away, a hammer hanging limply from his fingers.

Cassie sighs. “Sorry. We’ll work it out, don’t worry, we always do”

As she heads back to her task, I head off in search of Jesse. I find him cursing as he attempts to fix a backdrop to the wall, and his eyes light up when he sees me.

“Hey, baby. I’ve missed you. How are you feeling now?”

Guilt is a hard thing to shake and it must reflect in my smile because an anxious shadow crosses his expression.

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