Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
I picked up my purse, transferring my phone and a couple other items into the small clutch I would carry for the night.
“Wait, why did you come all the way in here to pick me up? I could have driven myself,” I asked her.
I turned, but Heather was out the door, and I didn’t catch what she said.
I frowned. This event seemed very mysterious. Luc didn’t talk about it; Heather seemed reluctant.
What was the great mystery?
Heather and Reed kept up a running commentary the whole drive to the winery. When we arrived, Heather asked Reed to drop us at the front door. “These heels are gonna kill me,” she pouted.
He laughed and stopped. “Sure, babe. The lot is pretty full out back, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
We got out, and I hugged my shawl tighter, grateful I had brought it. The air was chilly. Inside, I looked around, even more confused. There was no greeting area, no one to welcome people and give them seat assignments—in fact, no one was around at all. I could hear muffled voices from behind the closed doors, but nothing else.
How odd.
Heather’s phone buzzed, and she smiled. “Luc says he is two minutes away.” Reed strolled in, looking dapper in his suit. He was usually dressed far more casually, but he cleaned up well.
“We’ll go in, and you can wait for Luc,” he suggested. “We’ll grab a table.”
“Are we late?” I asked. “Is that why there’s no one out here in charge?”
“It’s pretty laid-back, from what Luc said.” Reed smirked. “Nothing is assigned.”
That didn’t make sense, but before I could ask, he tugged Heather’s hand. “Let’s go, babe. I need a drink.”
I shook my head as they walked away, disappearing through the door. I tried to see inside the room, but it looked dark.
This was the oddest event I had ever been to.
Then Luc breezed in, looking drop-dead sexy in his suit. His tie and pocket square matched my dress. Even his shoes were a deep wine color.
He was carrying a small box in his hand. He lowered his head and captured my mouth. “Love, you are bewitching. Absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Right back at you.” I touched his tie. “We match.”
He winked. “That was my plan.”
We walked toward the door Heather and Reed had gone through, and he paused.
“This event seems, ah, different,” I whispered. “I’m not sure who is in charge.”
“It’s all good,” he replied, his smile wide.
Something was up. I could feel it.
“Luc, what’s going on?”
He smiled and lifted the lid on the small box. Inside was a gorgeous orchid, which, as he lifted it from the box, I realized was a corsage. A smaller boutonniere was nestled in the corner.
“Luc?” I asked again.
He lifted my wrist, sliding on the corsage. Then he handed me the other flower and lifted one eyebrow. I pinned it on his lapel, then tilted my head.
“What have you done?”
He bent and kissed me again.
“Ashley, love, I want to give you everything. Including this.”
“This?”
He smiled widely. “Would you go to prom with me?”
“Prom?”
He nodded, looking proud. He tugged me to the door.
“Welcome to our grown-up version of prom.”
And he pulled open the door.
I blinked. The room was covered in balloons, streamers, and glitter. Punch bowls were set up like they would be at a regular prom. Arches for photos. Tables scattered with party favors. And the room was filled with people. But not strangers.
My new family.
And standing front and center was my dad. Richard looked as excited as Luc, beaming.
I was speechless, trying to take it in. Beside me, Luc grasped my hand. “Love?” he asked. “What do you think? Will you let me take you to this prom?”
I had to blink away the tears. “You did this for me?”
He wiped away the moisture under my eyes. “Yes.”
“I would love to go to prom with you.”
He grinned and kissed me. “Then let’s kick it.”
It was the prom every girl dreamed of. I never sat down, dancing constantly. I sipped spiked punch, laughed with my girls, who also happened to be my sisters and cousins. Found great amusement in the chaperones, aka Aiden, Bentley, Maddox, and my dad. They stepped in when couples danced too close, chastising them, then patted the men on the shoulder.
“As you were.”
They pretended to taste the punch to make sure it was safe. Laughed and kibitzed as if this were their prom. They danced as if they were teenagers. The music was perfect, a blend of songs from when I would have attended prom and today’s music. Fast songs that made Aiden take the floor, and everyone give him a wide berth. Slow, romantic songs that had all the couples up, wrapped in each other’s arms. Even songs for the kids to stumble around the dance floor to, Richard leading them.