Page 87 of Kiss Collector
“I’m sorry,” I say. “But I’m not going.”
Mrs. Hartt puts both hands on her hips. “Zae, I think you will regret that.”
“I know,” I whisper. “But it’s too late now.”
“It’s never too late. You drive, right?” She looks at Kenzie. “Surely you or one of the girls, or even your sisters have an extra dress Zae can wear.”
My cheeks burn. “No! It’s too much.”
“Zae,” Kenzie says softly, “it’s really not too much. You can come to my house today and we’ll find you a dress. We can callthe restaurant and add one more to the reservation.”
I shake my head, feeling humiliated that I’m waffling the day before prom. It’s just that all the reasons I didn’t want to go feel so flimsy now. I’m regretting not taking advantage of this experience with my friends.
“I’ve already told guys no,” I say.
Mrs. Hartt laughs at that. “Who cares? Believe me, they’ll get over it and move on.”
I look at Kenzie and her adorable smile slides into place. “Pretty please?”
I sigh and look down at the prom sash. Mrs. Hartt grins. “See you there, hun. No regrets.”
All right, fine. No regrets.
I opt out of the dinner, and decide to show up to prom an hour late. I’m wearing a maroon, strapless, long satin dress that Kenzie’s big sister wore as a bridesmaid. It’s tight in the chest, but at least I know it won’t fall down. Mom put my hair into fat curls and piled them on my head in a regal upsweep. I did my makeup in black, gray, and silver.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous when I show. I keep smoothing down the white prom-court sash that lies over my shoulder. I’ve rehearsed what I’ll tell anyone who asks why I changed my mind, “Mrs. Hartt said I had to make an appearance because of prom court.” It’s a half-truth, but oh well. It’ll save my butt from looking too stupid or hurting some nice guy’s feelings.
I wobble just slightly in the gravelly parking lot on my heels, borrowed from Monica, as I walk around the side of thehotel. Two guys in tuxedos are smoking, and I move to the edge to give them a wide berth. A sweetness like cotton candy wafts over.
“Thought you weren’t coming,” says a familiar, smooth voice that makes my insides jump. I wobble a little as I stop and face Joel in a black-and-white tux. Next to Kwami. Both their bow ties have been undone and hang loose around their necks. I can’t help but smile at how slim and dapper they look.
“Dang, y’all clean up nice,” I say. “But I think it’s against the rules to smoke at a school event.” I put a hand on my hip and eye the tiny vape in his hand. “New toy?”
Joel’s cool half grin makes me shiver. “Oral fixation, remember?”
“Maybe you should find something better to do with your mouth.”
I’m so glad it’s dark out because I feel the blood rush to my face as Kwami bends over, laughing in spurts.
Joel’s easy demeanor never wavers. “Perhaps I should.”
I look around. “Are your dates inside?”
“We came stag,” Joel says. “Kwami’s my date.”
“Yeah, J thinks he’s gettin’ lucky tonight, so I’m gonna have to fight him off.”
Joel’s laugh is slow and smooth. “Right, right. Can we escort you inside?”
“Sure,” I say. “Thanks.” They each hold out their elbows, and I slide my hands in.
It dawns on me as we’re walking in that people might think I came with a date after all, but I’m so happy not to be alone that I don’t care. Inside the ballroom, lights twinkle, andeveryone looks like young movie stars. People are excited to see me, stopping to hug me.
“You look beautiful!”
“Look at your hair!”
“Girl, I love that dress.”
