Harley was who I wanted to be there with, but I had accepted that we would never be. It was after prom that I told myself I would give Austin a real chance.
At sixteen, I wanted to be in this exact position with Harley. But getting to live this moment at thirty feels like a dream come true.
He feels like home to me.
"I left to call my mom. I wanted to tell her I was going to have one last dance before coming home, because she was expecting me. But when I came back, I saw you dancing with Austin and I knew that if I interrupted, he would cause a scene. So, I left.” He shrugs. "All these things that happened over the last fourteen years led us right here,” he says, taking my hand in his, leading us to a nearby table. Both of us taking a seat.
"I’m so sorry, Harley,” I say as he pulls me from my chair onto his lap.
"You have nothing to apologize for.”
"I thought you hated me.”
"Why would you think that?” he asks, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Uh, maybe because I haven’t seen or heard from you since you got into a fight at Bridie’s. And when I did hear from you, I only got one-word responses,” I say sarcastically.
"That guy had it coming,” he spits, defending his actions.
"How did you even know I was there?”
"Bea texted an S.O.S,” he says, placing a kiss on the back of my hand. "Plus, tonight has been in the works for weeks. Since the night at the Anderson house, actually.” He says the name Anderson like its venom on his lips, and I can’t say I blame him. But he shrugs it off and carries on like he’s forgotten all about it and moved on.
"Organizing all of this took time. I enlisted the help of your family and Bea. Even Jenna had an input all the way from California.” He laughs. "I couldn’t risk seeing you, Herring. I’m so bad at keeping secrets. I would have ruined my entire plan. But when Bea texted that you were in trouble at Bridies’s, I gotstraight in my car without thinking twice. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt just because I didn’t want to spill the beans on this.” He gestures around the gym, puffing out his chest.
"I know Christmas is your favorite holiday, but I also know that it’s been tainted for you. I wanted to give you a fresh memory that you could look back on instead. To reignite your love for the holiday.” The air crackles around us, even with the music still playing. His face looks so genuine, eyes so sincere. I know the last few weeks must have been as hard for him as it was for me.
"I love you, Harley. I think part of me always has and I know you might think it’s soon, but I—”
"I love you too, Herring.”
I’ve never been happier for my words to be cut short, with the most beautiful man staring back at me, telling me he loves me, too. He kisses me softly, but I feel the need, thewantbehind it.
"Come with me. I have something to show you.”
forty-five
Harley
Riddled with nerves, thelimo comes to a complete stop, my stomach dropping at what’s about to happen.Even though I’ve planned for tonight to go exactly like this, it doesn’t make it easier.
Grangewood Creek is known for its snowy winters, and I can tell Cassandra isn’t eager to get out of the car. Especially considering all she has on is strappy heels and a thin, deep green dress that looks like it was made for her.
Correction, it was made for her.
Her sisters and Jenna arranged it all, making sure it would fit her perfectly. She looks fucking breathtaking, and if I didn't have plans to show her what I was about to, I'd be taking her home right now, peeling off her dress gently, careful not to ruin it.
But I can't, so I'll save that plan for later.
"Put these boots on,” I say before I open the limo door. Her shoes are open at the toe and she’s about to step directly intoa foot of snow. I wasn't going to be the reason she developed frostbite.
I met up with Lizzie earlier in the week to collect her combat boots and a pair of thick socks, so her feet wouldn’t feel the cold.
She eyes off the shoes suspiciously, unable to see our whereabouts through the dark tinted windows. Slowly, she takes them off me.
"Do you trust me?” I ask, watching as she slips on one sock and boot at a time, placing my suit jacket back over her shoulders.
"Yes," she replies through a heavy, steady breath.
