“That goes without saying,” Julia said, leaning her head against Emma’s slight shoulder.
“I’m starting to feel like myself again,” Emma said. “My parents are still a mess, but that doesn’t mean I have to be. I’ve been studying again. Aced my math final even. I’m back to straight A’s for the semester.”
“That’s great to hear,” Roan said. “I’m proud of you. Of all of you.”
Cody dug a folded piece of paper from his pants pocket. “Check this out.” He handed it to Roan, who unfolded it to take a look. It was a sketch. Done in pencil on notebook paper, but detailed and surprisingly good of all of them at the dance studio—Reese in front, demonstrating a move, while the five of them watched her with varying expressions of concentration and joy.
“You drew this?” Roan asked, studying the image.
“Yeah. During study hall. It’s not that good?—“
“Are you kidding?” Emma grabbed it. “Cody, this is amazing. When did you learn to draw?”
“I don’t know. I just … do it sometimes. When I’m stressed or whatever.”
“You captured Reese perfectly,” Julia said, looking over Emma’s shoulder. “She’s so beautiful and graceful.”
Cody shrugged, embarrassed. “I thought maybe we could give it to her. After the performance. Along with everything else.”
“Love it. And I have a surprise for her too.” Roan went to the cubbies and pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. He’d been to a jeweler in Burlington that morning and had come home with an engagement ring for Reese. “I’m going to ask herto marry me after our dance.” He opened the box to show them the solitaire engagement ring.
Four jaws dropped.
“This is so exciting,” Emma squeaked. “I’ve never seen an engagement before.”
“You’re proposing at the gala in front of everyone?” Cody asked. “What if she says no?”
“I’ll be mortified, but at least I will have asked. I’ve run from love too long.” Roan gazed down at the sparkling diamond. “I want her to know how much I love her.” He told them then about his plans to treat the gala as if it were the prom they never had. “I’m getting her a corsage and everything. I know it won’t make up completely for what I did, but it’s something.”
“I’d say a big fat engagement ring is more than something,” Julia said, peering closely at the diamond. “Darn, that thing’s pretty.”
Marcus grinned. “For sure.”
“Anyway, she’s going to say yes,” Emma said confidently. “I see how she looks at you, Roan. She’s totally gone.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Cody said. “No way she’s saying no.”
“It’s all so romantic,” Julia said. “I hope someone loves me like that some day.”
“Keep your heart open. The right person will come.” Roan closed the ring box and tucked it back into his jacket pocket. “The trick is keeping this a secret until the gala.”
“We won’t say anything,” Marcus said.
Roan chuckled. “I was talking about me. But yeah, you guys too.”
“It’s only six days. We can do it.” Emma carefully folded the vests and Santa hats and put them back into the shopping bags. “I’ll keep these at my house so Reese doesn’t accidentally find them. We’ll all get dressed at the gala right before we perform.”
“And then boom!” Cody said. “Surprise dance, surprise proposal.”
“It’s going to be so magical,” Emma said.
“I certainly hope so,” Roan said.
In six days, he’d dance in front of the entire town wearing a red vest and a Santa hat. And then he’d get down on one knee and ask Reese Monroe to be his wife.
He couldn’t wait.
On the night of the gala, Roan stood in front of his bedroom mirror, adjusting his festive red tie. He’d pulled out one of his nice suits for the occasion. Hopefully no one would think he was Jason.
