Page 121 of The Addendum

“I would love to go to prom with you.”

He grinned and kissed me. “Then let’s kick it.”

* * *

It was the prom every girl dreamed of. I never sat down, dancing constantly. I sipped spiked punch, laughed with my girls, who also happened to be my sisters and cousins. Found great amusement in the chaperones, aka Aiden, Bentley, Maddox, and my dad. They stepped in when couples danced too close, chastising them, then patted the men on the shoulder.

“As you were.”

They pretended to taste the punch to make sure it was safe. Laughed and kibitzed as if this were their prom. They danced as if they were teenagers. The music was perfect, a blend of songs from when I would have attended prom and today’s music. Fast songs that made Aiden take the floor, and everyone give him a wide berth. Slow, romantic songs that had all the couples up, wrapped in each other’s arms. Even songs for the kids to stumble around the dance floor to, Richard leading them.

Penny Zoomed in. So did Gavin and Matthew. They laughed at the decorations and the antics behind me on the dance floor.

Richard was the “master of ceremonies,” which came as no surprise. If there was a spotlight, he would be in it. He kept up commentary during the evening, and he announced Luc and me as king and queen of the night, his speech about why we deserved to be actually making me tear up.

“For the man who unknowingly brought me my daughter, and the woman who accepted me as her father. It’s no surprise these two deserve the honor of wearing the crowns of the night.”

The crowns were from the dollar store, the scepters the same—and I loved them. I loved all of it. After dancing with Luc, I found myself in my father’s arms. He smiled down at me.

“Having a good time?”

I squeezed his arm. “The best.”

“Luc went to a lot of trouble—he wanted you to have a good memory.”

“Another do-over.”

“Yes.”

“And you were all in on it?”

He smirked. “Yep. Katy and I helped plan it. Luc was going to go completely retro, but she pointed out if you saw a dress from that period, the jig would be up fast.”

I laughed. “She was right.”

He twirled me and pulled me back. “She usually is.”

He smiled as he looked down at me. “Besides, you look stunning. The dress is perfect.”

“Yeah, it is. He picked well.”

We danced until the song was over, then he tugged my hand. “Come with me.”

We headed to the front door where Katy stood, smiling. She slipped my shawl around my shoulders. “You’ll need this.”

She leaned forward and hugged me. “Remember how hard he is trying,” she whispered. “This means more to him than you know.”

I threw her a quizzical look, but I followed Dad out of the door. Luc was leaning on a car, the engine running, the paint gleaming under the canopy lights. He grinned at me and winked.

I looked up at Richard. “No,” I breathed out.

He held up his hands. “I gave all my kids a car when they graduated. I wasn’t there for you then, but I’m here now. Please accept it from Katy and me.”

He dangled a set of keys in front of me. I looked at the car again. Sleek, new, shiny. The color of my dress.

“I know you like Toyotas,” he murmured. “It’s a good, reliable car.”

“And top-of-the-line,” I added, recognizing the model.