by Sadie Allen
“You know it,” he said with a wink and a brilliant smile.
I felt my knees get a little weak at the sight. Judd Jackson, the best-looking guy in town, was taking me to my senior prom.
He pulled my hand through the crook of his arm, and then we started walking, me somewhat awkwardly because, you know … heels.
He escorted me to a shaded area by the shore that had a picnic table with a strand of large bulb lights strung up over it between two posts, making the area look a little whimsical. The table was set with plates, silverware, and a couple of wine glasses.
I raised my brow at the latter, and he just shrugged. “For sparkling grape juice.”
Then he led me over to the bench covered with a towel. I was thankful that he had been considerate enough so I wouldn’t snag my dress on the weathered wood.
When I was seated, he ran over to the end of the table that hadn’t been visible when we first walked up and lifted a large sheet pan covered in foil and placed it on the table. The smell of rosemary filled the air, and my tummy growled. I had been so busy today that I had forgotten to eat.
He lifted back the foil with a flourish and revealed chicken breasts, roasted potatoes, and cut-up asparagus, all coated in chopped up Rosemary leaves. It looked and smelled delicious.
My lips parted in shock, and I raised my eyes to meet his laughing ones.
“Did you cook this?” I asked in astonishment.
He had a smug look on his face when he replied, “Of course. I’ve been taking a cooking class.” He grinned, and I felt an answering one tug on my lips.
“Where did you get the recipe?”
“The internet, of course. Google is my best friend. I just typed in quick and easy meals for a first date and found this.”
My mouth dropped open again. “This is really a date?”
He had gotten a spatula from somewhere and paused mid-scoop, the smile vanishing and a wary look coming upon his face.
“What do you mean, is this really a date?”
“Uh … I thought …”
The wary look darkened, and I could tell he was not thinking good thoughts.
“You thought what?”
This was so embarrassing. I didn’t want to read more into the situation. I had thought he just saw me as a friend, but by the look on his face, I realized I had been wrong.
Elation filled my heart and a nervous energy skated along my limbs. I wanted to get up and pace, but I didn’t want to risk tripping in these heels and ruining Marissa’s dress.
I wrung my hands as I tried to explain, “I thought you were asking me to go with you as a friend.”
The dark look hardened, and he asked quietly, “So, if I had asked you to prom as a real date, what would you have said?”
“I would’ve said yes.”
I could see his body visibly relax.
“Good.” The hard look melted, and the smile was back.
He then continued what he had been doing and placed a chicken breast on my plate before scooping up some potatoes and asparagus, depositing them beside the chicken.
The food really looked amazing. I would have to steal his recipe.
After he had fixed his own plate, he crouched down by a small ice chest and opened it. “Now that we’ve established you’re on a date with me …” Judd pulled out a green bottle that resembled wine, tore off the foil on top, unscrewed the cap, and came over to pour a healthy amount in both of our glasses before continuing, “I feel the need to clarify what’s going on.”
I frowned, not sure what he needed to clarify. My mind raced a million miles per hour with different scenarios. The one that stuck was this being a one-time thing, and he wanted to be upfront about it. I felt dread curl in my belly at that thought. If that was the case, I would enjoy myself as much as I could before we returned to our regular scheduled program tomorrow. I just didn’t know how we could go back to how things were before.
Finally done serving our food and drinks, he sat down across from me while I just sat there, frozen, afraid to move and of what he might say next. He didn’t move to start eating, either; he just sat there and looked me in the eye.
“Sunny, I know I’m a bad bet.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he just lifted his hand to halt my protest.
“I have a lot of drama that comes with me … You’ve seen it all firsthand—the crap I get from Asher and Ashley, and the people at school and in town. My mom’s a drunk who’s so bitter over what my dad did that she’s killing herself. Not to mention, I’ll always be known around here as the son of ‘that transvestite football coach.’ That’s my dad’s legacy now … not the state champion football coach, but the one who wore women’s clothes and wanted to be one.”
“That’s not true, Judd.”
Judd laughed, but it wasn’t a pleasant sound. It was pained and made his face twist into a look that probably equaled his mom’s on the bitterness scale.
He flung an arm out. “I hear them—”
“Who?”
“Everyone! I hear the old men in the diner talk about ‘what a shame about that Jackson boy …’ or hear the other coaches—my dad’s old friends—crack jokes about him and elbow each other like it’s the funniest thing they ever heard.”
“Judd—”
“I like you, Sunny,” he said abruptly.
I froze, shocked by the sudden declaration and too afraid to hope that he meant what I hoped he meant.
“I like you, too, Judd,” I told him warily.
“No, I mean, I really like you.” His eyes drilled into mine, full of so much intensity they glowed.
I felt myself start to thaw under his stare, and my heart took flight. My stomach flipped and decided to do a somersault off the high dive. I just could not control my insides. They were under Judd’s thrall.
“I really like you, too.” I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face.
“I want to be more than friends with you, but I want you to understand what you’re signing on for. People are going to talk about you, or maybe even mistreat you because you’re with me. Look at what the Kleins have already done to you. You’re just getting a taste.”
“Judd … where do you think I’ve been the past couple of months? Living under a rock?”
“Well, no …” His face looked uncertain, cautious.
“People talked about me before. I’m Laughing Lonny’s daughter, the town drunk, remember? Plus, we graduate in a month. The stuff at school is about to end. It’s all about to end since we’re both leaving town. I think we can handle whatever comes our way.” I got an uneasy feeling as something occurred to me that I hadn’t thought to ask. “What about when we move? Do you still want to date once we get up to Dallas?”
He laughed, and this one was different since it reached his eyes. “Uh, yeah. Why would I want to start something with you now when, like you said, we only have a month left until we graduate? I want to be with you, Sunny. I’d like us to keep seeing each other after we graduate. Romantically, if you still need clarification.”
I could hear the sincerity in his voice, and that uneasy feeling disappeared.
“Now, let’s eat before this food gets all the way cold and our drinks get hot.”
We both picked up our knives and forks and dug in. This was the best meal I had ever eaten, and I knew that it would have been, whether it was edible or not. Lucky for me, it was delicious and still warm.
After we finished our main course—well, after Judd polished off the rest of the food—he went back over to the end of the table and pulled out a foil covered aluminum pan. Again, he whipped off the covering to reveal a pan of brownies, just like the ones we had made the first time he came over, and I gave him a mock scowl before I dissolved into giggles.
“What is it with you and box brownies?”
“They’re my favorite.” He flashed me that movie star smile as he shoveled out a square of brownie and placed it on my plate.
After he got o
ne for himself, he sat down and gave me a questioning look. “I have a question.”
I took a bite of brownie and had to hold back a moan of pleasure. Gah, these brownies were good, but I wouldn’t admit that out loud to Judd in a million years.
“Okay …” I mumbled, mouth full.
“Why do you call me pretty boy?”
“I would think that was fairly obvious.” I smirked.
“Maybe I just want to hear you say it?” He raised a brow, and I felt a warmth spread all over me. He was too hot for his own good.
Was Judd flirting with me?
I hid my reaction by rolling my eyes, but the blush I felt heat my cheeks probably gave me away. I knew it did when he gave me a smug smile.
“You know you’re good-looking,” I grumbled, not looking at him. My cheeks were on fire.
“Ah, Sunny, the blush on your cheeks is cute.”
I looked back at his face to find him grinning at me.
“Shut up,” I grunted before I took a huge unladylike bite out of my brownie.
At that, Judd burst out laughing, and I found myself joining him.
When we had finished our brownies, I rose to help Judd put everything up, but he just waved me off and told me to sit back down. Therefore, I watched as he packed everything up and hauled it out to the Jeep. Everything, but the ice chest.
He crouched down to open its lid, and I wondered what else he had in there. A second later, he arose, and in his hand was a clear box with what looked like flowers and ribbon inside.
He walked over to where I was seated, crouched down, and opened the box. Then he grabbed my left wrist and slid a beautiful wrist corsage on it. He then lifted my hand to his lips, giving me a soft, lingering kiss to the back of it.
I shivered at the feel of his lips against my skin.
When he pulled away, I examined the corsage. It was a single sunflower attached to an elastic band of white pearls. Simple yet beautiful.
“Sorry it doesn’t match your dress. I didn’t know what color you were wearing.” He had a sheepish look on his face like he had committed some great faux pas. At least he had remembered a corsage. I had totally forgotten to buy him a boutonniere.
“No, the corsage is perfect. I’m just sorry I didn’t get you a boutonniere. That’s what the girls usually buy the guys for prom, right?”
Judd has been nothing but thoughtful and considerate, and I felt guilty forgetting the one thing I was supposed to do.
“I’m glad you didn’t. I’m allergic to flowers.” He gave me a new smile, a sweet one, and then got up, holding his hand out to me.
As long as he looked at me with that soft, sweet look, offering me his hand, I would follow him anywhere.
Judd and I walking into prom together, hand in hand, was a surreal experience. The foyer was dimly lit and decorated in black, glittery golds, feathers, and pearls that coordinated with the Roaring 20s theme. On either side of the door were black and white silhouettes of Jazz players and a couple dressed in 20’s finery.
Mrs. Shannon was checking people’s names as she directed them over to a table that was covered in strands of white pearls that were pooled on the table and draped over different sized black and gold vases, holding large plumes of black and white feathers inside them.
“Sunny! Judd!” Mrs. Shannon exclaimed as she bustled over, clipboard in hand. “Y’all be sure to vote for prom king and queen”—she pointed at the pearl and feather table—“over there. That’s two votes, one for each category, per person.” Then she was gone, hurrying over to the next group of students.
“You want to vote?” I asked, not caring if we did or not.
An unwelcome voice intruded behind us, not talking to us, but loud enough to know that we could hear them.
“My vote is for Jackson …” There was a pregnant pause before he finished with, “for prom queen.”
Several laughs followed Asher’s statement, and I looked up at Judd, who was staring straight ahead, jaw clenched.
I could feel the pressure build in my head as fury filled my veins. My face must have broadcast my intentions, which were to turn around and confront Asher and his buddies, because Judd just shook his head at me with a look of resignation on his face.
“Nah, let’s skip it,” he said, his voice low and filled with an unspoken request for me to drop it.
I sighed, wondering why they couldn’t just leave him alone for one day. We had been having such a great time until that jerk had to open his big fat mouth.
Judd squeezed my hand before he pulled me forward through the double doors and into the gym where a song with a bumping bass played that talked about no broken hearts in the club. Lights pulsed and flashed over the crowd moving on the dance floor, making the atmosphere almost hypnotic. Bright lights illuminated the corner closest to us where a photographer was set up to take pictures.
I tugged on Judd’s hand and started pulling him to the corner to have our pictures taken. I was at prom with Judd Jackson, and I looked the best I could look without a filter, so I sure as heck was going to document it.
The photographer’s assistant handed us an order form and pen. “We’ll have them printed and ready for you by the end of the night. Just hang on to your receipt,” she said with a smile.
I nodded and started filling out the form.
It was our turn by the time I finished and, for some strange reason, I was nervous. I was wearing a beautiful dress and had a gorgeous date who wanted more, so what did I have to be nervous about?
I tried to shake off the feeling as we stepped in front of a shimmery gold curtain.
“You. Big guy … Stand over there.” The photographer motioned Judd over to a silhouette like the ones in the foyer, except it was all black and playing a saxophone. Then he pointed at me and said, “Little lady, I want you to stand in front of him.”
I awkwardly stepped in front of Judd and waited.
“Closer,” the photographer barked, and I nervously stepped back until I could feel Judd’s heat against me. “Now, put your hands on her hips. Don’t be shy, boy.”
I felt a blush heat my cheeks as I felt Judd’s large hands lightly take hold of my hips. His touch was like a shock to my system, and the heat spread like wildfire, coursing down from my cheeks to my neck and chest. I was sure my skin was pink everywhere, and my heart was racing out of control.
I looked up at Judd from over my shoulder to see if he was feeling it, too. He was already looking down at me, and the look on his face confirmed that it wasn’t just me.
Judd’s eyes burned into mine, and I could feel goose bumps rise all over my skin. I shivered, although I was far from cold.
The moment was broken by a bright flash to our left and the photographer exclaiming, “Got it!”
We both stumbled from the backdrop, blinking. I was still seeing black spots as we moved toward the tables and chairs set up around the periphery of the dance floor.
I collapsed into a seat and noticed that Judd didn’t. He stood in front of me with his hand extended.
“Want to dance?”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I said, “Love to.”
Judd
I WALKED SUNNY OUT onto the dance floor when Russell Dickerson’s “Yours” came over the sound system. Holding her close, my hands at her waist, her arms around my neck, we swayed back and forth to the song, and I couldn’t help feeling the words of the song and think of her. It described exactly how I felt about her.
I looked down into her beautiful face, cataloging every feature: her dark, fathomless eyes; her smooth, soft-looking skin; and her full lips. I never stood a chance.
As I studied her, her eyes searched mine, and then she bit her lip, and I was gone.
I leaned down and gently brushed my lips against hers, slow at first, and then more firmly.
It was a shock to my system. My brain totally shut down and all I could do was feel—the softness of her lips, the heat that burned between our bodie
s, and how hers just melted into mine. I would remember this kiss for the rest of my life. It was everything a first kiss should be that I had never had before.
It could have gone on forever, but a hard tap to my shoulder jolted me out of the moment.
When I pulled away, both of us were panting like we had run a race and came out winners. Her dark eyes were black, the pupil eclipsing the ring of dark chocolate surrounding it; her cheeks were pink; and her lips were swollen. Looking at her, all I wanted to do was kiss her again.
I smiled and started to lean back in for another, when I heard a throat clear loudly just behind me.
Sunny’s eyes tore from mine, and her whole body jerked when she saw whoever it was standing behind me. Then her cheeks went from pink to red, and her eyes narrowed, shooting daggers.
I turned my head slowly, keeping my body facing Sunny and shielding her from whoever was irritating her, as my eyes locked on a very pissed off Ashley Klein.
She was dressed like a high-end hooker in a dark blue dress with a neckline that didn’t touch until almost her navel and had a slit that ran all the way up to where her underwear should be.
I felt my own eyes narrow at this very unwelcomed interruption.
Ashley shot Sunny a withering look before she switched back to me and pasted a come-hither one on her face that I hadn’t seen in months. What the hell?
“May I cut in?” she asked in a honeyed voice. Before I could tell her to take a hike, she added, “For old time’s sake? This was our song, after all.”
We had a song? I didn’t notice that the music had changed and John Legend’s “All of Me” was now playing. I wanted to laugh. She had just spouted a line of horse crap.
I realized then that this was a play. She was trying to get at Sunny, but Sunny didn’t know that. Hell, Ashley could just be doing this to mess with my head some more. I had a hard time believing she was actually jealous since she had told me in no uncertain terms that she thought I was disgusting when we had broken up months ago. Unless it was one of those “I don’t want him, but no one else can have him” situations, which would be something she would do. I had a feeling it was more, though.
