Henry emerges from the museum’s entrance as I cross the cobblestone path.I stop in my tracks, nearly stumbling on my wobbly heels.He races the ten feet to steady me, though I’m fine, just a little dumbstruck over how he looks.
He’s wearing a dark blue suit that accentuates his earthy brown eyes and hair, making him look taller and broader overall.He’s tamed his hair, trimmed his beard, and even his glasses appear shinier than usual.He’s more handsome than ever, like he belongs in a grand ballroom with a princess hanging from his arm.
I may be reading too many of Christie’s romances.
Henry-in-a-suit causes two conflicting ideas at once: first, that he should always wear suits no matter where he is or what he’s doing, and, second, that I should remove his suit immediately.But slowly… I’d do it slowly.I think of telling himthat’s what Venus wants, but I refrain.For now.
“You okay?”he asks, hand on my elbow.
“You look exceptionally handsome in a suit, Henry.Like top notch.Stellar.A plus.”
His lips curve into a delicious side-smile before he lowers for a soft kiss, gentle and sweet.“If I’m an A-plus, you get extra credit.”He pulls away, admiring my dress.“You’re perfect.”
“Perfect?”I repeat, breathless over a word that’sneverbeen used to describe me.“That’s, um… Your compliment is appreciated.Thank you, Henry.”
He lifts his free hand, revealing a small arrangement of pale yellow and pink daisies with light purple freesia attached to a wristband.He slides it over my bracelets, and I lift it to catch the delicate, minty scent.The same arrangement sticks out of the breast pocket of his suit jacket.
“I-I… they’re lovely.”
“Go to prom with me?”he asks.
“Prom?”I repeat, having trouble forming words.
“Well, my version of it.A redo.Just for us.”When I can’t speak, his hands slip around my waist, pulling me close to him.“This time, no curfews, no annoying classmates, no chaperones, and no expectations.Tonight is whatever we want it to be.”
I fight the swell of emotion constricting my throat.Our high school prom wouldn’t have been a fun event for me, but a pressure cooker.Even preparing for it felt constricting, weighed down by what to wear, how to act, and if people would accept me.That, on top of worrying about our future.Hisfuture.
Similar fears threaten now.Our summer will end, and what will that mean for us?But I relax, thinking of Henry’s words in Dad’s office.Fuck it.
His forehead lands on mine, forging a soft, pressureless pocket between us.“Is that a yes?”
A breathy “yes” falls from my lips before he kisses them.
Slowly, he pulls away, extending his elbow for me.I loop my arm around his, and his free hand slides over mine, bringing me closer.I’mthe princess hanging on his arm.
“Dinner first,” he says.
A ten-minute stroll along the Riverwalk leads us to one of the city’s tallest buildings.We take the elevator to a rooftop restaurant with water views on one side and the city skyline on the other.Henry has reserved a quiet table overlooking the water.
I order a Vodka Cranberry and the scallops.Henry orders an Old Fashioned with his steak and grilled oysters as an appetizer.We sip our drinks, watching the activity on the water.The tiki boat disembarks on a new journey, and our eyes meet as if we’re both reliving the memory.
Henry slips his hand over mine across the table, lightly fiddling with the flowers on my wrist.“Tell me about how your classes went this week.”
I light up over the subject matter.“Yesterday, we went on a ditch excursion, and today, we all brought boots and explored the turtle pond.”
He chuckles.“I thought I saw you out there, wading in rubber boots.”
“It’s challenging in a dress.For the next outdoor class, I’m wearing my cargo pants.They’re easier and have pockets.I don’t think Ivy will mind.”
“Probably not, especially if she sees you in action.You’re becoming very popular.Have you seen the response on social media?”
“I’m not on social media, but, yes, I’ve heard about it.”
“Your students have been posting your lessons.Hundreds of thousands of people are viewing them.Are you okay with that?”
I shrug lightly.“I’ve gone viral before.It’s fine.”
“You have?”
