The little boys come rushing up the stairs from the basement. “Where is she?” Hanks asks, looking around the room.
“She’s about to come down the stairs. Watch.” Mrs. Clark turns to her husband. “Jim, take a video with your phone, and I’ll get the pictures.”
I glance at Jack wide-eyed and mouth, “video?” He just smiles and shrugs.
I have the urge to pull at my collar again, but I refrain. Instead, I try cracking my neck. Hannah comes around the corner of the stairs, and my mouth drops open. She’s absolutely stunning. I get an elbow in my ribs, and I snap my mouth shut. Hannah has on a floor-length, full, light pink floral skirt. Her top is plain pink and comes up high around her neck. It’s a half-top with a small patch of skin showing on her midsection. I don’t have words for how beautiful she looks.
“Oh my gosh, you look like a movie star,” Scotty says.
“And a princess.” Hank ads. Yes, she most definitely looks like both of those things.
“Hi,” she says, stepping off the last stair.
“You’re so beautiful,” I blurt, completely losing any suave I had.
“Thank you.” She reaches up, kissing my cheek.
“I’m afraid to touch you. You’re so gorgeous.” I run my hand the length of her arm but don’t touch her.
“You look pretty amazing yourself, Stud.” Hannah bats her lashes, and I just stand there mesmerized by her.
“Give her the corsage,” Jack whispers from behind me.
“Oh right, the flowers.” I fumble with the plastic container but somehow open it. Hannah just smiles, waiting patiently. “This is for you.” She holds out her left hand, and I slide the light pink and white flowers on her wrist.
“Thank you, it’s beautiful. I have a boutonniere for you.” Mrs. Clark hands the white rose to Hannah, and she pins it to my suit coat lapel. Her hands have a slight tremble to them. She must be nervous too, but she’s handling all this much better than me.
“Thank you.” I lean in, giving her a feather-light kiss at the corner of her mouth. Now that the initial shock has worn off, I want to pull her to me and trail kisses along all her exposed skin, including her mid-drift.
“We need pictures.” Mrs. Clark claps. She ushers us in front of the fireplace and snaps picture after picture. “Jack, where are you?” she asks, turning in a circle, looking for him. She grabs his arm, pushing him toward us. “I need a picture of all three of you.”
“Mom, that’s weird.” Jack protests.
“No, it’s not. Hurry, stand on the other side of Hannah.” Jack rolls his eyes but does what his mother asks. Hannah gives him bunny ears for the picture. “Hannah.” Her mom scolds. “One more, and no shenanigans this time.”
“Now, one with just the guys,” Hannah says, moving away before I can grab her. Jack and I shake our heads, but we let them take a picture.
“Okay, no more,” Jack says. “We need to leave to pick up Leah, or we’ll be late.”
“Wait! We want pictures with Hanny.” Hank protests.
“Okay, hurry.” Hannah’s mom ushers the boys in front of the fireplace, and they take several pictures with Hannah. Mrs. Clark turns to Hannah. “Get lots of pictures of Jack and Leah for me.”
“I will, I promise.” They lean in, giving each other a hug, and her mom whispers something to her, but I don’t catch it.
“You look lovely, Hanny. Have a good time.” Her dad leans in, kissing her cheek.
“Thanks, dad, I will.”
I hold out my hand, and she takes it, entwines our fingers, and I walk her to the car. I don’t kiss her again like I want to because everyone has followed us outside. Jack’s mom kisses him on the cheek and then grabs his cheeks. “Look at you. You’re so handsome.”
He’s a good son and stands there, letting her fuss over him.
“Sorry,” Jack huffs, getting in the back seat.
“No worries. My mom did the same thing when I left.” We don’t go in with Jack when we get to Leah’s, but I get out of the car and walk around to Hannah’s door, opening it.
“What are we doing?” she asks, giving me a confused look.
