Page 79 of My Heart to Keep
Nevertheless, I giggled, losing some of my self-pity over Maiken not being there with me. “Tessa and Dustin.”
Trevor bobbed his head in agreement. “You’re probably right.”
Dustin and Tessa were kissing on the dance floor. That could be Maiken and me.
Stop torturing yourself.
Noah had his arms around Celia, but both seemed stiff as they shuffled their feet next to Dustin and Tessa. We had extended the invitations to juniors after the school had canceled their prom due to low ticket sales.
Inwardly, I smiled. Celia liked Noah, but they weren’t an item. I would bet she wasn’t over Liam. They both had wanted to see other people, which was one of the reasons they’d broken up. However, Celia hadn’t dated anyone since Liam. In my opinion, she was still pining for my brother.
“Your dad took the news of them using the pigs as a prank quite well,” Trevor said.
Trevor had been in the house when Dustin, Noah, and Tessa apologized to Daddy. He hadn’t yelled, nor had he gotten upset. Momma was the one who had been furious, especially with Tessa. I couldn’t blame her either. Tessa had been a thorn in my side for most of my childhood and teenage years. She deserved the award for bully of the year, although Claire might not be far behind her.
I sipped my drink. “I’d rather not talk about pigs and Tessa. Where’s Sloane these days?” I hadn’t seen her that much in recent weeks, and when I had seen her at school, her head was buried in a book in the library. If we passed each other in the hall or cafeteria, she looked the other way.
“She’s visiting Marcus this weekend.”
I should’ve hitched a ride. I should be with Maiken. “I read your story that Celia published. I’m sorry about your mom.”
His grin vanished in an instant. “Me too. Hey, I’ll catch you later.” Then he was gone.
I guess his mom hadn’t been the right thing to bring up.
I was about to set my drink down when a hot breath breezed over my ear from behind. “Can I have this dance, babe?” His voice was raspy with the hint of a Southern drawl. I knew that voice well. It was a voice that made me swoon.
My stomach did a thousand somersaults. Maybe I was dreaming. Slowly, I turned, and tears shot out.
Maiken opened his arms. “Surprise.” A slow, gorgeous grin emerged as his blue eyes glistened in the soft light.
I shook my head, blinking. Then I stepped up to him, and my hands slid up to touch his face. “Are you really here?”
His lips brushed over mine. “In the flesh.”
“I thought—”
He took my drink from my hand and set it on the bar. Then his mouth crashed to mine, kissing me deeply.
I matched his kiss with so much emotion I couldn’t breathe. I gave every ounce of love I had to Maiken in that moment. My night was complete.
He eased away slightly, sizing me up. “Wow! You look absolutely beautiful. I’m digging the short dress.”
Fire pinched my cheeks. I was wearing a low-cut, above-the-knee gold flapper dress with spaghetti straps and gold heels to match. My hair was up and secured with a gold clip.
“You dressed for the occasion?” I asked, admiring how Maiken rocked his double-breasted suit and the way his sandy-blond hair was tucked behind his ears “I thought you didn’t want to come.”
He rolled his blue eyes. “Wherever you go, I go. Plus, I couldn’t stand you up. Never, Quinn Thompson. You’re my forever girl.” He grabbed my hand. “Let’s dance.”
We skirted through the throng of kids until we found a spot on the dance floor. As soon as our bodies were molded together, I sagged in his arms. My night was complete. My heart was full, and I knew whatever the future held, Maiken would be there for me, and I for him.
He kissed me lightly on my ear. “Your mom looks as pretty as you.”
I zeroed in on Momma, who was manning the food table across from the bar. She’d volunteered to chaperone after one of the parents had canceled at the last minute.
Maiken pressed his forehead to mine. “Not that much longer before we’re out for the summer. I want to spend every minute I can with you.”
I shuddered. Summers would never be the same for me, at least not the one coming up. I couldn’t believe July was around the corner. I swore, every July, I would be reminded of my party and how everything around me had collapsed.
