“I will, Sir,” Jace says. “I promise.”
Jace and I step out into the cool evening air, and that’s when I see it. A limousine. An actual limo parked at the curb in front of my house—long, sleek, and black—shining under the streetlights.
I stop dead in my tracks. “Jace.”
“Yeah?”
“Is that—”
“A limo? Yeah.” He gently guides me down the porch steps, his hand warm in mine. “Surprise.”
“Jace, you didn’t have to—”
“I didn’t pay for the whole thing, Bells,” he says quickly, and there’s something almost apologetic in his voice. “Noah and Reece got it for the group. I just... I went with them for a third of the cost.”
He runs his hand through his hair like he does when he’s uncomfortable, especially when he’s trying to explain something he thinks I might be upset about.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have the money to take you to dinner tonight,” he says, and the words come out rough. “I know that’s what you’re supposed to do for prom. Fancy restaurant and all that stuff. But I couldn’t swing both, and I figured... I don’t know. I figured riding in a limo with your friends might be better than sitting in some overpriced restaurant where I don’t know which fork to use anyway.”
I step closer and kiss him. My hand slides up to cup his jaw, pouring all my feelings into it—love, gratitude, and overwhelming emotion threatening to spill over.
“You’re perfect,” I tell him. “This is perfect. I don’t care about some fancy dinner, Jace. I care about you and that you’re trying so hard to make tonight special.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling up at him. “Besides, I’d rather spend the night with you and my friends than sitting in some stuffy restaurant pretending I know the difference between a salad fork and a dessert fork.”
He grins, that cocky edge slipping back into his expression. “You don’t know the difference?”
“Not a clue,” I admit.
“Good,” he says. “Then we’re both fucked if we ever end up somewhere fancy.”
I laugh, and he takes my hand, guiding me toward the limo.
The driver, an older man in a black suit and cap, steps out and opens the door for us with a professional nod. “Good evening.”
“Thanks, man,” Jace says, and then he gestures for me to go first.
I carefully gather my dress and duck into the limo, the interior unfolding like something out of a movie. Soft leather seats line both sides, and LED lights glow along the edges in shifting colors. Sitting inside, already grinning at me, are Sam, Aubrey, Noah, and Reece.
“Finally!” Aubrey shouts, throwing her hands up. “We’ve been waiting forever.”
“It’s been five minutes,” Noah says.
“Five minutes too long,” Aubrey says. “I was about to come drag you out of the house myself.”
Jace climbs in behind me and settles beside me on the seat. He immediately drapes his arm across the back behind my shoulders. His fingers find my bare shoulder, tracing lazy patterns on my skin that make me shiver.
The driver closes the door, sealing us into the dim, luxurious space, and I take a moment to observe everyone.
Aubrey looks absolutely stunning. Her dress is emerald green, fitted through the bodice with a sweetheart neckline. The skirt flares out at the waist in layers of tulle that make her look part princess, part punk rock goddess. She’s paired it with a chunky pair of combat boots.
Sam looks mesmerizing. Her dress is a soft blush pink that beautifully contrasts her pale skin and vibrant red hair. The dress is simple yet elegant, with thin straps and a flowing skirt that drapes around her legs. She appears romantic, beautiful, and completely true to herself.
“You clean up nice, Cooper,” Reece teases, nodding at Jace. “Didn’t think you owned anything without holes in it.”
“Fuck off, Wilson,” Jace says, but there’s no heat in it. “At least I don’t look like a waiter.”
