46. Unforgettable
forty-six
Unforgettable
“ L adies, you are absolutely stunning!” Kendra squeals as she snaps picture after picture. “I’m totally using these for my portfolio.”
Dad glances at his watch, but Mom shoots him a look. I know he wants to get on the road, but Mom said she wouldn’t leave before I left for prom. They’re taking Matt and Kendra to Lake Chelan for a long weekend before Matt leaves for his first post in Texas.
I’ve never seen my friends look so beautiful.
Taryn, with her pale skin, tight curls, and fluffy blue dress, looks like a fairytale princess.
Jasmine is wearing her hair straight and long.
Her body-hugging dress is short, dark green, and paired with gold heels that are at least four inches high.
She looks like she could have walked off the runway at a New York fashion show.
And then there’s me.
Despite all the suggestions Jasmine gave me, I opted for something simple—a red dress with a tight bodice and a high neckline that crosses in the back.
It’s high enough that the locket is completely concealed.
I’m not sure why I decided to wear it tonight.
It felt right to put it on, even if no one but me knows it’s there.
Even if it’s the last time I ever wear it.
My shoulders are bare. A row of straps that crisscross to a dramatic low-cut back covers the back of the dress.
The cut of the dress shows off the striated arm and back muscles I worked so hard for.
When I walk, the skirt flows and flares.
I can’t wait to dance in it. One good thing about my night at the club, I’m not afraid to dance in front of people anymore.
My hair is half-up, half-down, with wisps of curls at my neck.
I softened the hairstyle and makeup the salon did, to make it more me.
I know I look good, but more than that, I look exactly the way I want to look.
A stab of jealousy hits me as I watch Kendra pose Ryder and Taryn. I’m happy for my friend. Ryder looks at her as if she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him. He's right. Taryn deserves to have someone look at her like that.
I wander around the yard, taking in the flowers that are just blooming. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. I promised myself that I’d just enjoy tonight and not think about Jacob or Brad or the girl on the phone.
I reach to catch a cherry blossom floating to the ground. The sound of a familiar engine makes me stop. I stay frozen for a long moment, and then curiosity gets the best of me. I walk around the back of the house to see who’s here. There’s no mistaking Jacob’s car as it comes up the driveway.
“What is he doing here?” Jasmine says, joining me.
“I don’t know.” I haven’t talked to Jacob since that night at the club. “More importantly, why is she here?” I nod toward the white BMW, trailing after Jacob’s car.
Jasmine makes a face. “Is that?–”
“Yeah.”
She puts her arm around my waist. “You okay?”
“I’m good,” I answer, and it’s mostly true. Despite telling Jacob that I wanted him to leave me alone, I assumed I’d see him again at some point. I’ve been bracing myself for that moment. I just didn’t expect to have to see him with Laini again.
“More than that; you look good,” Jasmine points out. “So good that when Jacob gets out of the car, I bet he forgets his own name.”
It isn’t Jacob who gets out of his car.
Jasmine gasps. I stare in stunned silence.
He grins his lazy half-grin. “Hello ladies.”
“Gage!” Jasmine screams. She throws herself into his arms. They kiss long enough for me to get uncomfortable. When they finally separate, he looks her up and down. “You look incredible.”
Jasmine does a little spin. “I do, don’t I?”
He turns, finally acknowledging me. “And you, Miss Jessica, are absolutely gorgeous.” He wraps his arms around me in a long embrace. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world tonight.”
“And why would that be?” Jasmine has her hand on her hip.
Gage is dressed up—wearing a full suit and a nice tie. “Because I get to take two insanely hot babes to prom.”
“I don’t remember inviting you.” Despite her overly friendly greeting, Jasmine is going to make Gage work for this.
He gets down on one knee. “Jasmine, Jessica, would you do me the honor of letting me escort you to–”
Before he finishes, the door of the white BMW opens. It’s Jacob. He’s dressed in a dark suit and tie. He looks sharp and polished and achingly gorgeous. I hold my breath because he’s carrying what looks like a corsage box.
“Gage, if I’d known you were going to drive like a bat out of hell, I never would have let you take–”
He stops as our eyes meet.
“Jess,” he breathes, “you look–” but he can’t seem to finish that sentence.
Gage gets off his knee. “Gorgeous, sexy, ravishing, angelic, smokin’ hot–-those are the words my inarticulate brother would say, if he could get his tongue back in his mouth.”
Jacob blushes. It’s so uncharacteristic and cute that I laugh.
“Beautiful?” I supply.
“Beautiful doesn’t begin to cover it,” Jacob says. His expression tells me he means it.
“Thank you.” Instinctively, I touch the locket against my chest. I wonder why he’s here, in a suit, carrying a corsage box. I’m not na?ve enough to believe he’d be going to a high school prom, even if he weren’t too old.
He awkwardly thrusts the box at Gage. “You forgot the corsages.”
Gage takes a flower from the box and walks towards Jasmine.
“Wait a second,” she holds up her hand. “We haven’t said we’re going with you yet, Gage. Jess and I already have the best-looking dates in the history of prom. What do you bring to the table?”
“Eye candy?” Gage tries. Jasmine shakes her head. "The use of this fine chariot?” He indicates Jacob’s car.
“Nope,” Jasmine crosses her arms.
“How about I pay for dinner?” Gage says.
“It's a start. But I should tell you, we have reservations at the nicest, most expensive restaurant in town,” Jasmine says.
“No problem,” Gage says. He turns to his brother and fake-whispers. “Hey Jake, can I borrow some money?”
“Anything else?” Jasmine asks. I know she’s dying for Gage to come with us, but she’s playing it cool.
“Abject and complete devotion to your every need? Worshiping the ground you both walk on? Groveling?” He grins his mischievous, crooked grin, the one that makes him look the most like Jacob.
Jasmine looks from Gage to me. “What do you think, Jess?”
“Well, it is a free dinner. He is kind of cute, and I’ve heard there’s plenty of Gage to go around.” I nod toward the box Jacob is carrying. “And he brought us flowers.”
“And prom with me will be unforgettable, guaranteed,” Gage says.
“Alright, we accept,” Jasmine wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him again.
“Awesome!” Gage pumps his fist. He turns to me, his arms open. “Equal treatment for both dates?”
I hold up my hand. “No thanks. The last time I kissed you, we both got in trouble.”
Jacob gives me a questioning look. I get the idea he hasn’t heard about the New Year’s party and the ill-fated game of Kissing Rugby.
It won't be the night I’d planned, but prom with Gage and Jasmine will be an adventure, even though I know I’ll end up as the third wheel.
Jacob awkwardly hands the corsage box to me.
“This one is yours.” Inside the box is a delicate spray of white baby roses with a red one in the center.
I’m positive he ordered the corsages. It’s not something Gage would have thought of, but Jacob, thoughtful and brotherly, would have gone as far as calling my mom to find out what color my dress was.
I juggle the box as I try to hold it and to open it at the same time. “Here, let me.” Jacob takes the corsage out of the box and slips it on my wrist. His hand lingers on mine, and he looks up at me. “You really look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I say again.
“And that dress is–”
“Jacob!” We turn at the same time. Laini is standing by her car door.
She’s in white again; this time it’s a flowy sundress with spaghetti straps.
“If you're done playing prom, we need to get going. If we don’t leave now, we’re going to be late, and I want you to make a good impression on my parents. ”
Parents.
The word carries the weight of commitment and leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
“Right,” Jacob turns back around and hands me the corsage box. “If Gage is a jerk for any reason or something goes wrong and you need a ride or...” He pauses, like he’s rethinking what he’s saying. “Just have fun tonight, okay?”
“I will,” I promise.
“Good.” Jacob raps his knuckles on his car. “Gage, don’t do anything stupid!” He yells to his brother before climbing back into Laini’s car.
She yells at him as soon as the door closes.
“And he tells me not to do anything stupid,” Gage mutters. He offers both of his arms. “Ladies, prepare yourselves for the best night of your lives.”
I take Gage’s arm and we head to the backyard to finish taking pictures. I don’t even look back to watch Jacob and Laini drive away.