“Make sure you don’t,” Tate said spying her coming out of the dressing area. “All set?”
“Yup, I probably won’t eat for the next month with the price of it, but it’ll be so worth it to show up there in it.”
“You don’t like the people getting married?” Jordan asked.
“No, just some of the other guests,” she stated. “Bye again Jordan.”
“Bye Mel,” he said with a grin as he headed back to his sister.
“You are so in trouble,” Nicole said, shaking her head as she grinned at him.
“What?”
“You’re so completely in love with her, all it would take would be for her to lean over and kiss you and you’d be on your knees proposing.”
“That’s not true,” he argued.
“I know you little brother. I’ve seen you with every, alright maybe noteverysingle girl, but the ones you bring home and theway your eyes are shining right now is nowhere near to the way you looked at them.”
“Alright…I like Mel. More than like her but she’s not going to go for me. We’re friends like her and Tate.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone who are friends like her and Tate. There’s something different between them. No, they’re not sleeping together but there’s some underlying connection, something that’s bound them together, and unless you can deal with that connection, you’ll lose her just as fast as you get her,” his sister warned, surprising him a bit.
“Why are you telling me this?” Jordan asked trying to stop her from asking about his feelings any further because she was right, he was entirely in love with Melinda, wanted her in ways he’d never wanted any woman he’d dated in the past.
“Because little brother I’d like to see you happy, and married, that way Mom can focus on you and your wife instead of on me.”
“Ah throw the attention off yourself because as the only other daughter you should be getting married now?”
“Naturally, how old did you say Mel was by the way?”
“Twenty-one…why?” he asked taking note of her tone and surprise at his answer.
“I don’t know, she just seemed younger I guess but who am I say that? After all people constantly ask if I’m old enough to drink and I’m twenty-eight for goodness sake.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jordan told her. It kept slipping through his mind as he helped her narrow down a dress. Was Mel hiding something? Maybe he should look closer at her background to figure it out.
∞∞∞
“You ready?” Tate asked her as they paused outside theballroom door.
“Of course I am, it’s just the prom after all,” Mel stated as she grinned up at him.
“Alright beautiful, let’s see what this place thinks of you,” he stated pushing the doors open and walking her into the event.
The music was loud inside the room and Mel looked around wondering what they were really doing there. It wasn’t the same feeling she’d ever had going to one of the conferences or dinners, even though she absolutely did not want to be at them either, especially not with Henry. They all felt too old for her, but seeing the others inside the room here, it somehow felt too young for her, which was crazy since this should be the place she fit into—but it wasn’t.
They stopped and took photos making dumb faces for one before settling in and enjoying the other so his grandma would have a copy of it, then headed towards the rows of tables surrounding the dance floor.
“Feel like having your toes stepped on?” he asked leaning down so she could hear him.
“Why not, you’re only young once, right?” she said trying to remind herself that she should be here.
They made it to the dance floor, and she was aware of people casting sideways glances their way, but she didn’t care. She knew she looked amazing and the shoes fit perfectly. Her hair was swept up off her neck and secured letting the waves bounce as she did. She’d stopped into the department store after work and had them apply her makeup, so she had no fears tonight.
The music changed to a slow song, and she sent Tate an eyebrow-raising look. He swept her into his arms and gave her a twirl before they settled down into the dance.
“Can you believe we’ve only got a year left?” he asked as she rested her chin on his shoulder.
