“Cole will pick me up any time now,” I say, stroking her cheek with my thumb. She closes her eyes, a faint smile flirting across her lips. “What do you think of this dress?”
Her gaze moves slowly until it locks with mine. Tears fill her eyes. “You look so beautiful, honey.”
“I know, right?” Remember when we used to talk about wedding gowns and prom dresses? Well, it’s Winter Formal today. Elise says I look just like you. I’m so proud of that, Mom.”
I stand up and twirl and right then I hear a sound, almost like a chuckle, but more pressed inside her throat. I halt, and the gown follows my movement.
“You like it? I knew you would.”
The doorbell rings downstairs and her fingers twitch in her lap.
“That’s Cole. I think I should go.” My chest twists in pain. She is missing all this, moments a mom and her daughter should be sharing. I wish she was the one standing in the foyer, taking pictures instead of Elise.
I squat again, pressing my forehead against her hand. She turns it around to frame my cheek. I look up to see her eyes fully focused on me, tears falling down her cheeks. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, Eleanor,” her voice wobbles a bit.
The sound of feet shuffling in the hallway pulls me out of this rare moment. I quickly wipe my face and paste a smile on before turning around to face the door.
“Look who’s here,” Elise says in a sing song voice. “Cole fucking Holloway.”
“Watch your language, Elise,” Mom snaps, and my gaze momentarily moves from Cole to her, surprised by her outburst.
Elise laughs, and I turn back to face her, just in time to see her punch the air with a fist, and yell, “Success!” She shrugs and says, “I made her talk, didn’t I? It’s so good to hear your voice, Mom.”
I shake my head, fighting a smile, grateful for her free spirit and energy because today, I need it badly.
Elise steps aside to let Cole through, and my world comes to an abrupt stop. Every snippet of air stolen from my chest at the sight of him.
God.
Cole.
His usually tousled hair is brushed back from his face but a few curls escape the perfection I’m sure he spent hours taming. He looks taller, his shoulders broader in his black tux, with a black bowtie. Seriously, I’m one lucky girl to be loved by this special guy. The enormity of it all sends my heart racing.
I clear my throat and face my mom again. “Mom. . .” I trail off, when I see her eyes have that blank look again, which tells me she’s locked in her own world once more.
My body jerks with awareness as a large warm hand frames my lower back. That touch is tattooed in every cell of my body. Every part of me, even the dormant parts, wake up to that potent touch like they always do whenever Cole’s skin is on mine.
I turn around and I’m automatically in his arms, my head hitting his chest. He bends and kisses my hair, his arms holding me, comforting me.
He pulls back and eyes me up and down in slow, deliberate caresses. I’m happy that he doesn’t hide his appreciation and desire for me. When he meets my gaze again, his eyes say it all.
“You look gorgeous.” He swallows, tares his gaze from mine and faces my mother. He moves around me and drops on his knees at my mom’s feet. “Mrs. Blake. Thank you for trusting me with your daughter. I’ll make sure Nor is home by eleven.”
Mom’s lips quirk in a faint smile, but she doesn’t meet his gaze.
We say goodbye to her and leave the room. After collecting my clutch—which I tuck in tighter under my arm—and mask we head downstairs, with Cole’s palm on the small of my back. I slip on the silver heels at the door then pose as Elise takes pictures to her satisfaction. Ten minutes later, my sister seems content and we finally leave. Cole leads me to his car and after making sure I’m seated in the passenger seat, he rounds the car and slides onto his. Seconds later, we are driving out of his usual parking spot, Cole’s fingers already linked with mine, and toward Fair Tree Hotel’s ballroom with where the Winter Formal is being held.
Crap. My breathing is coming too fast. Heat pools between my legs and I have to press them tightly to squelch the craving there. We stop at a traffic light and Cole turns to look at me, frowning.
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
I nod too quickly and my head spins.
His eyes drop to my chest and he swallows hard before lifting my hand and kissing my wrist. “I love you.” He murmurs on my skin and I’m a bird flying, soaring through the night sky.
“I love you too. And you look obscenely hot,” I tell him when he lifts his head and stares at me with dark eyes, full of desire. Can he read my mind? Know what I’m planning for tonight? Oh God, I hope Megs didn’t tell Simon and ruin my surprise.
The lights change to green, he doesn’t say anything. Just focuses his gaze on the road. I exhale, relieved.