Chapter 62
Sixty-Two
“ W ill you go to prom with me?”
I pull the phone away from my ear and briefly inspect it. I must have misheard because it sounded a hell of a lot like a… prom invite . Only we’re grown-ass adults, long out of high school, so that’s impossible.
“Come again?”
“I said, Jacqueline Hall, will you go to prom with me?”
A chuckle bubbles forth. “I don’t understand.”
“You need me to explain prom?” Butch says.
“Okay smartass, yes, I do, since I graduated from high school in 1981 and it’s now 1988. Unless this is a Back to the Future kind of situation. Do you have a DeLorean time machine with a flux capacitor?”
“Better.”
“Really?”
“I’ve got a badass car, a hot fucking date that I’m betting is a sure thing?—”
A loud laugh erupts from my mouth. “And let me guess, a purple tuxedo?”
“And no purple tuxedo.”
“And this prom is where and when? ”
“Next month. It’s an annual event for adults about an hour south of here, and I know you didn’t go to yours, so I thought maybe I could take you to this one.”
Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Insta-tears.
“Jacqui? You there?”
“Mm-hmm,” I manage. Get a hold of yourself.
“Is that a yes?”
I’m at a loss for words. I swallow and take a deep breath. “You took me off guard there, Lumberjack…in the best boyfriendy way. It’s a hell yes .”
“Had me worried there for a minute.”
“It’s really a prom?” I breathe.
“I’ve never been, but it’s supposedly the real deal. Cheeseball decorations, a professional portrait photographer, disco ball and DJ, formalwear, the works.”
“Oh my god. That’s epic.” So cool. “I’m touched you remembered.”
“I remember everything you’ve said, Sundance.”
I’m goo. Scrape me off the floor. “And no way I can get you into a purple tux?”
“If that’s a requirement, I must rescind my invitation, beautiful.”
“I’m kidding. But you are expecting to get laid, if I heard your earlier reference correctly?”
“I don’t mean to presume, but it’s customary for the girl to put out on prom night.”
We share a laugh. Of course I’m putting out. No prom required. “But it’s formal?”
“Formal-ish. Men don’t need to wear black tie, for instance. A suit will suffice.”
“Mmm…I’m kind of drooling about Daddy Lumberjack in a suit.”
“I will do anything to get you drooling, baby. Especially if it involves my dick.”
I chuckle. “Is it going to be, like, old folks? ”
“Maybe? I’m not sure. But ask me if I care.”
“I’m betting not.”
“All I care about is taking my hot girlfriend to prom, because every woman should experience that in her lifetime if it’s what she wishes.”
“Have I told you how much I love you today, Butch?”
“Nope.”
“You are the most wonderful man—and you’ve straight-up ruined me for anyone else.”
“That was my evil plan. And baby…there’s no one for me but you.”
A few weeks later, the big night arrives.
Butch insists on picking me up for our date, as he would if it were our high school prom, so I stay at his house to get gussied up and he changes at his parents’ house.
He tried taking Emmy with him, since his parents are babysitting her overnight anyway, but she wanted to hang out with me while I got ready.
She’s been attached to my side through makeup, hair styling, and donning my dress and jewelry, peppering me with questions.
How do you keep the mascara from getting in your eyes? Carefully.
What does the blow dryer feel like? I point it at her head, the blast billowing her long strands as her giggles erupt.
When will I wear a bra? When your breasts start to grow—and show.
Will mine look like yours? There’s no way to know until they mature, but whatever size they become will be perfect.
Do you love my daddy? So very much.
Do you think you’ll marry him? I don’t know how to answer so I lob back my own question: Would you like that? And she nods.
You’re so pretty. Am I pretty ? Yes, you are beautiful. And you’re beautiful inside, where it matters most.
Then she says, “I love you, Jacqui.” It’s the first time.
Hugging her tiny body, I whisper, “I love you too, Emmy.”
Double goo.
Butch knocks on the front door of the cabin right on time, and Emmy answers, allowing me a grand entrance moment down the stairs. I hold onto the railing, steadying myself as I descend in strappy, elegant heels, careful not to trip over my floor-length, flowing black gown.
My date comes into view. Our eyes connect briefly before mine travel down his masculine frame. He’s wrapped in a black suit with a crisp white dress shirt, opened a few buttons at the top with no tie. He’s clean shaven and my insides flutter as if it really is prom night.
His gaze rakes over me. He’s taking in the halter top, attached to two panels covering my breasts but providing a peek between, how the material hugs my curves and flares at the bottom, and the enticing slit up the left leg. My hair is styled in an updo with loose tendrils framing my face.
He holds out his hand and I take it.
“You are breathtaking, Sundance. A vision beyond my wildest expectations.” He spins me to see the open back, then hums his approval.
“Stunning,” he murmurs.
“Likewise, handsome. I mean, whew . I could get used to that.”
He grins. “Maybe don’t get used to it. But tonight? It’s all for you.”
I appraise him another minute then narrow my eyes.
“What?”
I shrug. “I’m a little disappointed. ”
His expression falls. “Why? What did I do?”
“Jeez, Butch…I really thought you were going to give me the purple tux.”
“Trust me on this.” He flashes a smile I can’t quite interpret.
The two of us stand there openly admiring each other until Emmy says, “Sheesh…why don’t you marry her already.”
Oh my god. I must be fifty shades of scarlet and Butch nearly chokes.
“On that note, missy, get your butt over to Mimi and PopPop’s. I’m not leaving until you call and let me know you got there.”
“Where else would I go? It’s literally next door.”
Butch cocks his head, a warning, then leans down to her level. “Pay the toll, kid.”
She kisses his cheek. “You look real nice, too, Daddy.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
She leaves with Hemi, and we stand in the foyer grinning at each other.
“Is that for me?” I ask, spying something clutched in his hand.
He looks down as if he forgot he was holding it. “What a dumbass. Yes, this is for you.” He hands me the box, and I open it, finding a corsage.
It’s not one of those tacky, over-the-top varieties that dwarfs your forearm, but a tasteful, demure bracelet made of white mini roses. Butch removes it and slips it over my wrist.
“It’s lovely.” And unexpected.
“You look so beautiful, Jacqui,” he says, taking my hand. “I’m a lucky son of a bitch.”
I trail my fingers down his suit lapels, coasting over the smooth material and loving the way it hangs on his large frame. My shoes close our height gap by four inches, putting me closer to that kissable mouth, and I plant one lightly on his lips. “You look good enough to eat.”
“Uh…sold.”
We share a smile, interrupted when the phone rings and Butch gets the confirmation he needs from Emmy. It really is convenient that he lives next door to his parents, and in this safe, small-town enclave where his daughter can run between houses.
Butch tucks me into the Barracuda, which he’s washed, waxed, buffed, and cleaned. It’s very prom night all around. We get on the road, all smiles, just as the sun begins to set, coloring the sky in vivid hues. He’s even got Van Halen in the tape deck.
We arrive at the restaurant on time for our reservation. Rich aromas waft through the air and my stomach rumbles in response. We crack jokes and steal kisses, then settle in for a delicious meal.
Adult prom is everything Butch promised and more.
The decorations with an “Under the Sea” theme.
The mostly older couples. The cheesy photos, for which we absolutely pose.
And all the glorious dancing. My suitor isn’t afraid to bust out some moves, and the slow songs, when my head rests on his shoulder, make me sigh like a lovesick girl.
Because I am a lovesick girl, one hundred percent gone for this man who gave me a prom do-over on a silver platter. What kind of man does this?
The one I have the privilege of loving.
He is the consummate date: attentive, selfless, focused purely on me having a wonderful time.
I inhale it all, from his mesmerizing scent to the soft twinkling lights to the music flowing across us when he holds me in his arms. Classics like “At Last” by Etta James, “Let’s Stay Together,” by Al Green, and “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers.
Once we get home, I happily put out—the perfect ending to this wondrous night. And my date doesn’t disappoint either.
He’s wearing briefs in a shocking shade of purple.