27. Bailey
Jamie ledthe team to a win while I sat through the second half of the game with a plastic tiara on my head. How in the world I was ever voted Homecoming Queen, I will never understand. But I was happy Jamie would dance with me and not one of his former make-out buddies for the King and Queen dance.
“Oh, Bailey, you look beautiful,” Mom breathed from my door the next night. We’d scoured the mall two nights in a row earlier in the week to find a dress, a navy blue, floor-length ball gown. It was incredible and made me feel like a princess. Or maybe like a Queen. I’d even made a hair appointment. Mom helped me with my nails and makeup. I had to admit I lovedthe results.
“Do you think?” I twirled in front of the mirror.
Mom stepped into the room, her eyes sparkling as she smiled. “Yes. You look amazing.”
“Will Jamie think so?” I didn’t know why I worried. The boy didn’t seem to care what I wore. He’d kissed me in my school clothes, sweaty from practice, and in my ratty sweatpants. Why did I think he’d suddenly decide kissing me in a formal was out of the question? I was stupid, that’s why.
“He’s downstairs. Why don’t you find out for yourself?” She backed out of my room again with a wink.
He was downstairs. Taking in a shaky breath, I wrung my hands at my sides. I wanted this. I wanted to be Jamie’s date, so why was I freaking out?
When I dared to head down the stairs, I half expected Jamie to yellat me to get my roll on. Instead, he stood at the bottom, making polite conversation with my parents, Preston dangling from one forearm. The sight of him, so handsome in his charcoal grey tuxedo, doing something so ordinary and sweet as playing with my little brother loosened the tight places in my nervous body. I could handle this. This was just me and just Jamie—my best friend.
I’d made it halfway down the stairs before Jamie noticed me. He paused mid-sentence to watch as I descended the rest of the way.
Jamie lowered Preston to the ground. My dad hooked my brother around the waist to keep him from jumping on Jamie again. It didn’t matter. Jamie’s eyes locked on mine, and the way he looked at me, he wouldn’t have noticed an earthquake right then.
“You—” he cleared his throat. “Bailey—wow.” His gaze drifted over my body from head to slipper-clad toe. “You look amazing.”
A relieved giggle escaped my lips. “You don’t look half bad yourself.” And, boy, he didn’t.
“What, this old thing,” he teased, but his eyes never left me.
“Here, you guys exchange flowers, and I’ll take some pictures,” my mom suggested, but I could tell she’d already been snapping photos with her phone.
We decided on dark pink roses for my corsage and his boutonniere. The bright pop of color looked so good with our dark clothes. My fingers shook. I tried not to stab him with the pearl-tipped pin as I attached the single rose to his lapel. He had it easy as he held the little elastic wristband open for me to slip my hand through. It made me feel better, though, whenhe took my hand, they were as clammy as mine.Why were we so nervous? I’d seen pictures of this boy when he was still in diapers.
We posed for my mom to snap more pictures, even taking a couple with all of my siblings. When we finally snuckout the door, we went to his house to let his mom take a few. I gave her a big hug when her eyes filled with tears as soon as we walked in. I noticed Jamie clearing the emotion from his throat a few times before we headed out to his car.
“You ready for this?” he asked a while later after parking the car in the covered parking garage attached to the hotel where the dance was being held.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“Let’s do it, then.” He came around to open my door, but he grasped my hips and lifted me into his arms before I could climb out.
“How did I get so lucky? You are so beautiful,” he said just before his lips found mine.
Jamie’s kiss was soft and gentle. I felt loved and cherished.
“I love you.” The words slipped out as the pressure from his lips eased, and for a brief, terrifying moment, I waited for him to say something.
“You do?” he asked.
I nodded. He’d heard me say the words. There would be no taking them back now. The next thing I knew, he’d crushed me to his chest. Jamie buried his face in the crook of my neck. I wasn’t sure how to take his reaction.
“Is—” I swallowed hard. “Is that okay?”
He lifted his head. “Okay? Bales—” he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “Bales, I love you, too.”
I smiled so big my cheeks hurt. My life seemed practically perfect. I was with the man I loved, who loved me, at the Homecoming Dance, where we were crowned King and Queen. It was like my every childhood dream come true. Well, maybe not every, but it was a good start.
Jamie dropped another searing kiss to my lips. “Come on, my Queen. We have some dancing to do.”
JAMIE
As it sometimes did,life came full circle. On the way inside the hotel, at nearly the exact spot where Allie and I had left him standing as we drove away one year ago, we ran into Connor with Allie at his side, looking radiantly happy.
“What’s up, Barnes?” Connor reached out, and we shook hands.
“Good to see you, Connor. Back for redemption?” I winked at Allie to let her know I was teasing.
Connor’s expression soured. “Funny.” He pulled Allie into his side, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “Heard you’ve had a good season this year.”
I nodded, petty enough to be glad to have my girl with me when meeting him again. “We’re doing okay.” I didn’t want to sound too cocky. Connor was a legend. He and I both knew I could never be in the same category as him.
“Undefeated. I’d say that’s better than okay,” he replied as we walked through the automatic doors to the hotel lobby.
I shrugged. “We’ve worked hard.”
Connor stopped at the entrance to the hall leading to the dance. At my side, Bailey’s hand squeezed mine reassuringly.
“I’ve heard you might have some offers for next year.” I had no idea how he heard about that. I was sure I was so far off Connor Sanders’s radar he’d forgotten my name. I couldn’t help if my chest puffed out just a little that he hadn’t.
“Maybe,” I agreed. I knew I would hear from a fewcolleges. Coach Reno had already told me, but nothing was official yet.
“I might have some advice for you if you’re interested in hearing it,” Connor offered.
I glanced around. I was interested, but I wasn’t sure this was the time or the place.
Connor chuckled. “Not now. Get my number from Allie and give me a call. There are a few things I wished someone had told me when I was going through the process. I might be able tohelp you out a little.”
Wow. I had not been expecting that. I held out my hand again. “Thanks, Connor. That would be awesome.”
Connor smiled and accepted my hand. “No problem. I might owe you a little.” He winked at Allie, who grinned. “You guys have a good night. You look lovely, Bailey.”
“T-Thanks,” Bailey stuttered as they walked away from us.
“What the heck just happened?” I whispered once Connor and Allie were out of earshot.
“Oh, my gosh,” Bailey giggled. “I don’t know, but Connor Sanders knows my name.” She looked a little star-struck.
“Hey, now,” I teased, tucking her under my arm.
Bailey grinned. “Don’t worry, Jamie. I still think you’re a big deal.”
“And don’t you forget it.” I squeezed her into my chest. “Come on, Ms. Campbell, my Queen. I think I owe you a dance.”