“Are you coming?”
Jenna rolled her eyes though no one could see. “Yes, Mother.” Jenna grabbed the handrail and took the first step, feeling suddenly lighter. The weight she’d felt only moments before seemed to have fallen right off—and just like that she was looking forward to the evening ahead.
Four hours later Jenna couldn’t even believe she’d been sitting in her room crying over stupid Evan Sanders earlier. She was having a blast! She’d forgotten what a great dancer Tyson was. She’d slipped off her shoes only a few songs into the night, and they’d boogied the night away.
She was so busy being spun around the floor, she hardly even spared a glance at Evan and Amanda. Though Jenna had to admit the girl was a knockout in her formfitting dress. She was petite and curvy in all the right places, the ice-pink gown setting off her long blonde hair and sun-kissed skin.
But it was easy to forget the other couple since Tyson was the perfect date, fetching her drinks, making her laugh, and ensuring she was having a good time.
They hung out mostly with Sofia and Jack, but Tyson’s friends also included them in their group. Early in the night some of them had done a double take upon seeing Jenna. It served as a much-needed ego bolster on a night when her self-esteem had taken a hard hit. Maybe she shouldn’t be so reluctant to dress up and fix her hair nowand then. Just because she was athletic didn’t mean she was condemned to sweats and jeans for the rest of her life.
Late in the night they were taking a break by the drink station with Sofia and Jack when the band began the melodic strains of a slow song. Sofia tugged a groaning Jack onto the dance floor. He lacked rhythm and refused to fast-dance, so he’d promised Sofia he’d dance every slow song to make it up to her. Her friend looked gorgeous tonight, the gold gown making the most of her warm olive skin tone. Jack’s golden-blond hair and lightly freckled skin made him the perfect counterpart for Sofia.
Jenna smiled at Jack’s reticence to dance, then chuckled a moment later when he began shuffling in a circle, his movements as stiff as a flagpole.
“You gotta hand it to him,” Ty said as he watched the couple. “He’s keeping his word.”
“And see how happy she looks?”
“They make a good couple. How long have they been dating?”
“A few months, I guess. They bonded over their love of math.”
He made a face. “Really?”
“Yeah, it’s not something she and I have in common. But she did manage to get me through trig, so there’s that.”
“Where was she when I was in trig?”
She slid Ty a coy look. “Probably watching you date Danielle Collins.” Who was known more for her bra size than her IQ.
“That class wreaked havoc on my GPA. Maybe I should be more strategic about who I go out with.”
Jenna caught sight of Evan and Amanda dancing so closely that you couldn’t fit a feather between them. The sight triggered her earlier feelings of rejection. What had happened between him and Jenna? They’d spent many hours on the phone and texting over thosefew weeks. Had she bored him to death? Or had he just decided the cute, curvaceous Amanda was more to his liking?
Tyson tugged her hand. “Hey, let’s dance, Greene. I like this song.”
She’d never known him to like country ballads, but she let him lead her to the dance floor anyway. When he turned and took her into his arms, she put her hands on his shoulders. They seemed so broad even without the suit coat he’d ditched long ago. The white shirt stretched over his muscular arms and looked crisp against his tanned neck.
They hadn’t slow-danced all night, so she hadn’t really gotten a close-up look at him since the foyer. His angled jawline had a bit of stubble in uneven patches. When he’d gotten that call from Sofia, he must not have had time to shave. Had been in too big a hurry to come to her rescue. She was a modern girl—she was perfectly capable of saving herself. But it was nice having a friend who came through when needed. The thought curved her lips into a smile.
“What?” he called over the music, fingering his jaw. “Admiring my beard?”
She laughed. “That is not a beard, buddy.”
“Well, not yet, but it will be someday.”
“Whatever you say.” She gave his shoulder a placating pat. “I’m just grateful you rescued me tonight. I thought it was going to be an awful night, and instead I’ve had a lot of fun. You’re not a bad date, Parker.”
“You’re pretty fun yourself, Greene. Got yourself some sweet moves even.” The corner of his mouth ticked up.
Tyson had nice lips—the bottom one slightly fuller than the top. She’d never noticed before. Oh, she knew he was good-looking. He got his share of attention from their female classmates, and she knew of at least three girls who would’ve given anything to be his promdate. But his on-and-off relationship with Danielle had ended on a sour note, complicating things for him at school, and he’d decided to refrain from dating the rest of the school year.
The band segued into the chorus, and Tyson spun her out dramatically, then pulled her back into his arms, making her laugh. He’d been delighting her all night long with silly dance moves and humorous anecdotes.
She was blessed to have such a loyal friend. Their similar interests—mainly sports and the outdoors—had drawn them together. And his extroverted disposition complemented her more introspective personality. They’d always made a great team, and she could see them being friends well beyond high school. She hoped so. A woman would be lucky to have someone like Tyson in her corner. Not to mention his whole family.
She pressed a little closer and linked her hands behind his neck. Without her heels the top of her head only reached his chin. His height and muscular build made her feel small and feminine, a rarity. She might enjoy feeling strong and powerful on the ball diamond and the volleyball court. But it was also nice to feel dainty and pretty sometimes. Beneath the ponytail and athletic wear, she was still a girl.
