Her smile widens.“It won’t be long, Grady.We’ll have to do something very special for her, huh, Vee?”
Usually, I wouldn’t be pleased by event planning, but I don’t mind in this case.If Ivy should choose to marry Gil, I’d like to be involved in the festivities.That’s what sisters do, I’m learning—provide unsolicited fashion advice, dance in parking lots, and offer support in crises and festivities alike.As she’s doing for me right now.
“Yes, I’d like that,” I tell Marnie.
“Oh, Henry, it’s a shame your folks couldn’t make it,” she adds.
Henry’s eyes cut to mine.“Yeah, um, they were busy.Short notice.”
His response sounds forced, and I wonder if they had plans or if Maggie didn’t want to see me.Probably the latter, but I don’t entertain the thought for long.
Ivy twirls across the dance floor, dragging Gil behind her, and she insists on an embrace, breaking between Henry and me and latching on to my neck.I don’t mind.
“Isn’t it so sweet and gorgeous, Vee?Marnie, DeeDee, and I did the decorating,” she gushes.“It was Gil’s idea to invite Dad and Christie.”
Gil holds up the iPad secured around his neck.
“Oh, Venus and Henry… this is so… I can’t… It’s gorgeous… I can’t… ” Christie babbles, almost incoherently, and waves a hand over his face to dry his tears.
“Hmm, I believe Christie is trying to say we love you two, and we’re glad you finally got your prom,” Dad says.“As I like to say… one should always make time for dancing.”
Christie coos and waves his hand again.“Always.”
I want to speak.My mouth opens.But my words are inexplicably blocked by the lodge in my throat.It’s not just that Henry has enacted this beautiful gesture for me.It’s that theyallhave, that they’re here to share it.I’ve been away from my family for years.Months would go by without speaking to them.I barely even know Christie.And yet, seeing them on the screen solidifies the fact thatI miss them.I’ve missed them all along.
Ivy, Gil, Dad, Christie, and Henry stare at me, waiting, but I only choke on a sob.
“Um, now’s a good time for dancing,” Henry says, finally, as I lean into his shoulder, embarrassed at my inability to give a customary response.I should be thanking them for their attendance, complimenting Ivy’s dress, and asking Dad and Christie about their travels—not emoting in silence.
“Good idea,” Ivy says, before whispering, “Ins and outs.It’s okay.”
I nod as she takes Gil and his iPad away.
“Come here.”Henry tugs me into our pocket again.Swaying to the music, his hands slipping up and down my back, and warmed by his breath on my cheek, I practice my breathing and slowly my surging emotions level out to a dull rumble.
Tucked against his shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around him, I finally manage to speak.“I-I’m happy, Henry.”
“Then, we’re even,” he says, edging away enough to see my face.
“Is it strange that I wish Olly were here?”I ask.
“Not at all,” he says, his smile growing.“He’s your biggest fan, after all.”
“I might be his, too.”I swallow another lump in my throat.“I-I’m notfallingin love with you, Henry.”
His brow quirks curiously.“Are you sure?”
I nod, nuzzling my nose with his.“Loving you is a fixed constant.Unchangeable, regardless of any experiment.”
“Let’s stop calling it that,” he says.“Let’s be a fixed constant.You and me, together.”
“I…” Reasons and worries crowd my thoughts, hindering my agreement.He makes it sound so simple, but it isn’t.
His smile falls slightly at my hesitation.“Let’s just dance for now.”
Stricken speechless again, I only nod, but I’m grateful that once again, he’s released the pressure.
We dance, slowly, closely, keeping the same pace even as the songs change.Hips pressed and swaying, legs mingling around each other, it feels delightfully like sex, only softer and sweeter.
