She nodded. “Yeah, just thinking.” Toni turned and wiped at her cheeks. She cried a lot, but I tried not to let her know I saw. It was hard for me to understand the connection she’d had with my mom. Like she was my mom, but she and Toni had been friends their entire lives, and now Toni didn’t have anyone but us.
“I miss her too,” I said.
“I know you do. I do as well.”
I went to Toni and gave her a hug. I knew she liked these and needed them a lot.
The doorbell rang, and Nova yelled from the other room that she was going to get it. I followed her down the hall and smiled brightly when Eleni and her parents stood on the other side.
I welcomed them in, showed Eleni to Toni’s room (where she would get dressed later), and then went to sit with her and her parents in the living room. I was thankful Weston was there to talk to her parents because they didn’t say much to me.
Malik and his dad were next to arrive, then my grandparents, followed by Flinn, his date, and both sets of parents.
Our house hadn’t been this full since my mom’s funeral. That day had been somber, while tonight was a bit happier.
Toni and my grandma brought out trays of appetizers for everyone to snack on before dinner. Weston and my grandpa set up tables in the backyard under the strings of white lights Toni had put up, and I helped carry things out.
“If you’d all join us outside,” Toni said shortly after everyone arrived. She led everyone outside and stood off to the side. I could tell she was still hurting from whatever memory had resurfaced earlier. I stood next to her, with my arm around her shoulders.
“Oh, this is magical,” Eleni said. Everyone agreed.
“Thank you,” I said quietly to her. “For making this special.”
She nodded. “I wanted your mom to be a part of it too.”
It hadn’t occurred to me that that was why Toni had wanted to have everyone over to our house for dinner, but now it all made sense. Here, in the home my mom had loved so much, she’d be able to see everyone come together for prom.
After dinner, and after everyone had praised Toni on the delicious meal she’d made for everyone, I took my friends upstairs to get ready, while Eleni and Flinn’s date, Wendy, got dressed in Toni’s room. The girls had already had their hair done, and we were told they only needed to touch up their makeup. I thought Eleni looked perfect the way she was, but what did I know?
Malik, Flinn, and I came down first, dressed in our tuxes. One look at Toni, and I knew she was about to cry. She leaned into Weston and waved her hand in front of her eyes. I went to her.
“Do I look okay?”
She nodded and looked at me with watery eyes. “You look very handsome.” Toni fiddled with my bow tie and then ran her hands down the lapels of my jacket.
The girls made their grand entrance, and I found myself breathless. Eleni looked gorgeous in her fitted gown. It had a low-cut V that accentuated her breasts. My mouth watered. We were getting so close to going all the way; we just needed privacy.
Toni reminded me about the flowers in the kitchen. I went in, with Malik and Flinn following.
“Damn, boy, no wonder you wanted the limo all to yourself,” Malik said as he shook his head.
“I know.” I sighed as the thought of Eleni grinding on my hand with her shirt off flashed in my mind. “I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.”
“Wendy and I aren’t even dating, and we’re doing it,” Flinn added.
“Lucky. We get to touch each other and shit, but nothing more. Her parents are always home if I’m there, and same here. I’m so mad I didn’t get my license when I turned sixteen. If I had, I’d be able to drive her places now.”
“Whatever you do, use a condom.” Malik shook his head.
I reached into my pocket, pulled one out, and shrugged. “Just in case.”
“Of what?”
I jumped at the sound of Toni’s voice and slipped my hand back into my pocket. My heart raced, faster than ever. How much had she heard?
She looked at me and then my friends. “Boys, can you excuse us for a moment?” Toni motioned for me to follow her outside.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
