He pushed the bag forward again. “Peyton picked it out, okay? She said you had a crappy week and deserved to feel spoiled.”
I took the bag, still feeling unsure, but Andy seemed in a hurry now that he’d delivered the garment. “Get dressed, yeah?” He was already heading to the door. “I want to get going.”
Grumbling about annoying brothers, I shut the door behind him and unzipped the black bag—and my breath immediately caught. The dress wasgorgeous. Emerald green silk cascaded to the floor, the fabric so sumptuous it needed little embellishment. I knew at a glance it was going to do amazing things for my skin tone and bring out the color of my eyes. As soon as I slipped into it, it was clear it would fit me perfectly, almost like it had been made just for me.
I brushed off the thought that it was also almost the exact same color as the ill-fated prom dress I’d felt so beautiful in all those years ago, but never got the chance to wear.
“Jesus, Andy,” I said a few moments later as I made my way down the stairs. “This must have cost a fortune.”
He looked up from his phone and something softened in his eyes. “You look beautiful, Ace.”
I walked over and adjusted his bow tie. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He surprised me by pulling me into a hug. “I mean it,” he murmured. “You look great. You deserve to have an amazing time tonight.”
“Okay, you’re definitely being weird now,” I muttered, but I hugged him back tightly.
He gave me a classic Andy smirk as he pulled away. “Let’s go, Ace. The night awaits.”
“I don’t understandwhy I couldn’t just wait in the car,” I grumbled, following my brother down a long hallway in the bowels of the Avenger’s practice facility. He’d received a call shortly after we’d gotten into his car, some issue at the arena that couldn’t wait, so we’d made a detour.
“I don’t see why you’re complaining,” he said, striding ahead of me. “Maybe you’ll get lucky and see lover boy.”
I rolled my eyes at his back, grumbling about the heels currently pinching my toes. “If we miss the hors d’oeuvres I’m gonna be pissed.”
“I’m going to remember all this whining later,” he said, laughter in his voice. “You’re about to feel very silly.”
“What are you—“ But we’d just turned a corner and the glass walled gymnasium came into view. When I’d seen this part of the building on Andy’s tour, he mentioned the team would use it for off-ice workouts and drills as well as stress relief in the form of pick-up basketball games. But tonight, it looked far from a place where sweaty hockey players might be found working out.
“What the hell?” I murmured. Through the glass walls I could see a crowd of people milling around in tuxedos and evening gowns. The entire space was lit up with twinkle lights, balloons and streamers decorating every spare inch. “Andy, what is this?”
“This,” he said, taking my hand, “is your prom.”
I opened my mouth and then shut it, completely at a loss. I tried again but before I could ask any of the hundred questions crowding my mind, Liam stepped out of the doorway and into the hall.
“Have fun, Ace,” Andy said, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. And then he was walking away, clapping Liam on the shoulder and leaving me standing there, mouth gaping in shock.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Liam said, grinning at me.
I just shook my head, feeling on the verge of tears. “I don’t understand,” I finally managed to squeak out.
Liam stepped forward, taking my hands in his big ones. “It would seem there’s been a whole bunch of not understanding going on. Most of it my fault.”
“What do you?—”
“I love you, Grace.”
That had my mouth snapping shut, my stammering questions dying out in a flash. I stared up at him, this guy I’d been crazy about for so long. There was nothing uncertain in his face, no hint of doubt or fear. He looked every bit as serious and confident as he did facing down hulking hockey players every night.
But a whole lot happier.
“I’m in love with you,” he clarified, taking another step closer. “Have been for a hell of a long time.” He smiled my favorite, boyish grin, slightly abashed. “Should have told you years ago.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he squeezed my hands, making me pause. “Let me say some things first, okay?”
Since the confusion and fireworks of pure joy battling in my brain made it difficult to find words, I merely nodded.
“Did you know I applied to Michigan our senior year?”
