“I brought this for you.” He held out a clear box with a rose inside.
Her breath caught when she saw it, and her knees wanted to buckle. Mr. ICU said he’d give her a rose, and now Ray was handing her one. He couldn’t be her stalker, right? He’d changed since he was thirteen. Aaron even said as much.
“I didn’t know whether to give you one because of… you know… but I knew your dress was red, and I ordered this two weeks ago before the roses started coming.” He took a big nervous breath. “But if you don’t want it, I totally understand. It was stupid. Really stupid to bring it. You hate it. I’m sorry.”
“No.” She put her hand on the box to keep him from backing away. “No. It’s really pretty. Thank you.”
He smiled shyly. “You think so?”
“Absolutely.” She wasn’t sure. It made her sick to see the single, red-rose corsage, but she didn’t want Ray to feel bad. He’d bought it before the roses had come to her house. Okay, she could believe that. She held out her wrist and waited for him to place the rose on her arm.
Objectively speaking, it was beautiful. A single red rose with baby’s breath all around it. The band that surrounded her wrist was black. She liked it better than the white band she normally saw on corsages.
“Aaron thought a corsage was dorky. I didn’t know, so I thought I’d chance it. Just to be sure. I’m not good at things like this.”
Truth be told, she hadn’t wanted a corsage. It kind of clashed with her dress, but it was the thought that counted, and Ray’d had the best intentions when he’d given it to her.
“I love it. Thank you.” Not knowing exactly what to do, she leaned over and kissed Ray on the cheek.
“Don’t mention it.” He had a look in his eyes she could only describe as longing, and it made her feel bad. Why couldn’t she just stop leading him on? If that was what she was doing. It wasn’t like she wanted to do it.
Thankfully, Mackenzie broke up the uneasiness with a kiss and a hug. “That dress is to die for. Um… no pun intended.”
“Thanks.” Sloan grinned. As puns went, it fit the occasion. “You look… wow!”
“Cute?”
“Hot.”
“Poo, I was going for sexy.”
“I think you covered that too.” Ray smiled politely. Mackenzie grinned at him, and her whole face changed. Sloan looked from Ray to Mackenzie. Why hadn’t they ever dated? Sure, Ray had been sort of with her, but he and Mackenzie would make a cute couple. Much better than the person she’d brought.
Ray wasn’t wrong. Mackenzie did look sexy in a strapless white dress with her red hair thrown over one shoulder. Her porcelain skin looked amazing. Not many redheads could wear white and pull it off. Mackenzie was definitely an exception.
“Thanks. You don’t look bad yourself.” She grinned at Sloan’s escort. “Dapper.” She smiled broader and fixed his tie. “Save me a dance.” She winked and then seemed to remember Sloan was around. “I mean. If it’s okay with you.”
Sloan couldn’t be happier to let the two of them dance and hopefully even hit it off. It sure would take some of the pressure off of her. “Go ahead. I don’t mind.”
Mackenzie grinned and batted her eyes at Ray, who smiled back. Oh yeah. This had potential.
Her mom made them go outside for pictures. And pictures. And more pictures. By the time it was time to go eat, Sloan didn’t think her mouth could do anything but smile. It was there permanently like the scar.
She really needed to stop thinking about that scar.
They all piled in Sloan’s Charger and drove to supper at an upscale restaurant at the edge of town, and by upscale she meant buffet. All through dinner, Sloan worried Mackenzie would get something on her white dress, but the redhead didn’t seem to have a care in the world. She laughed and talked with Ray more than her date. And Ray, for the first time in forever, seemed to be enjoying himself.
It was strange. They’d eaten lunch together every day, but she’d never seen the two of them flirting as much as they were now. Maybe since she’d chosen Aaron, Mackenzie felt it was okay to chat it up with him. It was. It was more than okay. Sloan sipped on her straw and watched the two of them hit it off. It was sweet.
And Mackenzie’s date? Well, he didn’t seem to notice. He was too busy flirting with the waitress, Kalynn.
Sloan really missed Aaron, though. She wished he could have come to the dance, but she knew it wasn’t possible. The school board had made a rule: only students who went to the school could come. Stupid rule. Not everyone wanted to date high schoolers.
She knew one person she’d see at the dance. Detective Mary Morgan. It was good the detective was involved. It made sense and made her relax a bit. Whatever Mr. ICU had in store, Detective Morgan would take care of it. She had no doubts.