Her lips are a glossy pink and curve into a smile as she says, “You too.”
I hand her the pink flowers, and she lifts them to her nose. “Thank you.”
“Let’s get pictures with our dates!” Claire calls, and I’m forced to interact with the other people here instead of gawking at my gorgeous girlfriend.
“My face hurts from smiling,” Lacey says with a small laugh. She and the girls had a photo shoot, crossing off another one of her bucket list items, before the guys showed up.
We’re going to the dance with Andie and Brandon, Rowan and his date, Amanda, plus Claire and Austin.
The eight of us crowd around in front of the fireplacein Lacey’s house. Her dad takes a dozen different photos of all of us with eight different phones, plus his own. I hate photos. Only for Lacey would I willingly subject myself to an entire night of this.
And as she snuggles up closer to my side, I decide any excuse to have her pushed up against me is probably okay.
“Have fun tonight.” Lacey’s dad kisses the side of her head and then extends a hand to me. “Drive carefully.”
“Yes, sir,” I say.
* * *
Lacey’s giddy as she drags me through the basketball gym where the dance is held. It’s decorated with balloons and streamers and the DJ is playing upbeat pop songs. The other couples head for the drink table, but Lacey pulls me straight to the middle of the dance floor.
When we get there, she tips her head back and stares up toward the ceiling, pure elation splashed across her face. Then she looks at me and my heart trips all over itself.
The music isn’t slow, but when she rests her hands on my shoulders, I find her hips and we sway side to side.
“This is the best night ever.”
“It just started,” I say with a quiet chuckle.
“I know, but I’m calling it already. I’m with the most handsome guy here, in a new dress, glitter and streamers as far as the eye can see.” She sighs dreamily and rests her head on my chest.
“Yeah. Best night ever.”
I’ve never been to a homecoming dance before. Something I let slip to Lacey last night and now regret. She won’t let me miss a minute of it, claiming I need toexperience it all.
We dance to song after song—or she does. I do a lot of standing around and watching while she sings the lyrics to me and bounces in front of me.
I don’t need to have gone to any other Homecoming to know that none of them would have been anywhere near this fun without her.
Around ten o’clock, upperclassmen start leaving. Boone is having another party at his house. Our plans include stopping by, but I don’t think Lacey is going anywhere until they kick us out.
Rowan and Amanda join us in the middle of the dance floor. I loosen my tie to let my neck breathe.
“Nice moves.” Rowan grins at me as he shuffles around me, bopping to the music. He and Lacey are alike in their love of partying—Lacey’s just includes more G-rated fun. I can almost bet Rowan slipped a flask in with alcohol.
“The only nice moves I have are on the soccer field,” I yell over the song.
“He’s been a very good sport.” Lacey takes my hand in hers. “You’re dying to leave, aren’t you?”
It feels like a trick question. “I want to be wherever you are.”
“Well, damn, Cap.” Rowan whistles. “That’s some real romantic shit.”
I shove him away as the music changes to something slower.
“One more dance,” Lacey says as she takes my hand.
My lips twitch at the corners. “You’ve said that a few times.”
