Page 6 of Meet Me in the Vines
Surely I told her the party started at seven? What is wrong with me? I scan the space, searching for a glimmer of her sunset hair in the crowd. Everyone from school seems to be here. But no sign of Audrey. I sigh, pacing around the backyard, constantly glancing over at the gate.
I’ve waited years to get a chance with Audrey Winthrop. The quiet beauty lost in her books. My closest friends have known about my crush since middle school, but I never had the guts to do anything about it. Until today. She’s the only girl who makes me nervous—like shaking in my bones nervous. But if she walks through that gate tonight, there’s no going back. Senior year is over and I want this summer to be one I’ll never forget.
“Hey, Donovan! What a turnout tonight, huh?” Rosie chirps in my face, obstructing my view of the gate. “Uh, hey Rosie. And yeah, everyone showed up tonight.” Except the one girl I asked to be here. I crane my head around hers, and I’m hit with a sting of tequila as Rosie breathes in my face.
“You know, Jess has been looking for you since you kind of blew her off when she got here. I know that…” Her voice trails off when I notice a flash of movement at the entrance gate. My eyes immediately lock on as it slowly swings open.
Please be her. Please be her.
I don’t have to daydream about Audrey anymore. She’s really here. Holy shit, she actually showed up.
“Okay Rosie, see you later,” I say mindlessly as I brush past her. My focus is on one girl and one girl only.
She glides in and bites her bottom lip.
Let me bite that lip.
Her silky strawberry-blonde hair shines under the string of lights. Her fair skin looks soft and supple. My mouth runs dry as I try unsuccessfully to coat the inside with saliva. I could fall to my knees at the sight of her. Even in her graduation gown earlier, she took my breath away. But seeing her like this? Wandering in like a fragile fawn, oblivious to her own beauty? It has me completely and utterly done for. I want to reach out and touch her. What’s it like in that gorgeous head of hers? Would she let me in?
I watch her as she walks slowly through the crowd, returning the stares with a nervous smile. In front of me is no longer the girl with the awkward limbs. She’s a woman. A goddamn goddess.
Fuck, I’m so screwed.
Audrey Winthrop is the most beautiful being I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My smile fills my face. One thought echoes through my head.
I have to talk to her.
The band kicks off the intro to “Make It With You” by Bread. This is my mom’s request, no doubt. When I was little, I’d sit on our staircase and watch Mom and Dad dance in the living room to oldies music when I was supposed to be asleep.
Couples pair off, swaying slowly to the music, and drunk giggles fill the surrounding space. I can’t get to her fast enough. My heart beats through my ears. How many more paces between us?
Our eyes meet and I sink into the pools of green that shine brightly at me. She walks towards me and smiles shyly, making my stomach flip.
We are face to face. I decide to be bold, grabbing her hands in mine. She gasps, but doesn’t let go.
“Hey,” I whisper, unable to hold back my smile
“Hey,” she whispers back, her smile mirroring mine.
I walk backward, keeping her hands in mine, and lead her to the middle of the dance floor.
“Donovan…I-I just got here. What are you doing?” Her eyes flicker around the room. She’s so fucking cute when she’s nervous.
“I’ve been waiting for you. Dance with me?” I ask, praying I don’t trip on my feet.
I pull her close to me, completely disarming her as my hands wrap gently around her waist. Her hands wrap around my neckin response and we sway to the melody. She looks down at her feet and bites her lip. A smile creeps on my lips and I tip her chin up to look at me.
“I’m not a good dancer. Everyone is staring at me,” she murmurs.
“Audrey, they’re staring because you look beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes and I laugh at the gesture. “You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?” she teases. One of her eyebrows lifts as she tilts her head.
“I mean it. You are stunning. And I am really glad you came,” I confide softly. “What do you think of all of…this?” I ask, swirling my finger in the air, motioning to the whole setup.
“It’s definitely up to the King standard. It’s gorgeous. I’m pretty sure the entire senior class is here,” she replies, glancing around the party. She’s not wrong. People would’ve shown up, invited or not.
