Page 52

Even though everything else in her life felt like a mess, at least Rory knew that things at the yearbook were going well for her. She was a few weeks into her new role as lead designer and had found her groove, spending her afternoons finalizing design concepts, approving spreads, assigning editors to different designs, and drawing the pages for the senior section. At the rate she and Vanessa were going, they would reach their first deadline for Penelope a week before Christmas Eve.

Rory sat at a computer next to Gina that following Thursday, giving her final thoughts on a spread concept for the senior page, when Vanessa and Penelope approached them.

“So, we have a slight problem,” Penelope admitted.

Rory frowned. “What?”

“The printers just told us that they won’t have enough time to finish the books for the start of senior week, so we may have to push up the final deadline.”

“That sounds bigger than a slight problem,” Gina quipped.

Rory ran a hand through her hair. “When is our new deadline?”

“April 30th,” Vanessa whispered, her words an apology.

Gina’s mouth fell open.

“That’s…but that’s…” Rory stuttered. “That’s the day after prom.”

“It’s the latest I could push them,” Penelope explained. “We need prom pictures—obviously—so we’ll get those inserted as soon as Sean sends them over.”

Gina scowled. “Sean is going to have to work at prom?”

“We may all have to work the night of prom.”

The room went dead silent at that.

Rory stood up and roved her eyes over the computer lab. “No, we won’t. Don’t worry,” she said, holding up her hands to reassure everyone. “I will handle the last-minute spreads, and all of you going to prom can enjoy it your time without thinking about this. Okay?”

There were some murmurs and nods, the staff swiftly returning to their screens as they executed Rory’s designs.

Rory turned back to Penelope and Vanessa. “I’m happy to leave prom early, or hell, skip the whole damn thing,” she said. “But I won’t take that away from them, okay?”

Penelope raised an eyebrow. “Commendable leadership, Michaels.”

Vanessa’s eyes gleamed. “I’ll join you. We’ll pull an all-nighter.”

Rory winked. “It’s a date. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the little girl’s room.”

She held her head high until she was completely out of sight, then heaved a large sigh, leaning against a cold locker in the hallway. She closed her eyes, wondering what the night of prom was going to be like. The only reason she wanted to go in the first place was to be with the other Scoopers. But having to watch Tyler dance with Zoe all night, secretly knowing the way his soft lips felt on hers?

“Rory?”

She blinked her eyes open and found Zoe standing in front of her. She was wearing Tyler’s letterman jacket, which looked bulky and awkward on her slim build.

“Everything okay?” Zoe asked.

“No,” Rory admitted. “Just…prom.”

“Worrying about prom already?”

She shrugged, crossing her arms. “You have to worry about everything when you’re on the yearbook committee.”

“Oh, that’s right, Tyler told me you were doing that. That’s so cool,” Zoe said, her words coming out quickly. She was nervous.

Rory felt a chill rush down her spine. Was Zoe acting nervous around her because she knew about the kiss?

“Hey, um,” Zoe started. “This—this is awkward, but—”