Chapter 3

 

 

When the balloons were gone they reluctantly cleaned up the mess and returned to the car. They squished their way down the slope, their shoes leaking water at every step. Then she slipped. She squeaked in surprise and caught his arm, but his wet shoes slipped as well, causing them both to tumble down the hill.

She laughed as she rolled to a stop. “I’m blaming you for that.”

“Why me?” he protested.

“Because you started throwing balloons at me,” she said.

He stood and helped her up. “I’ll take half the blame,” he said.

“Then I get half the credit,” she said smugly.

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her back. “You know, I don’t think I ever thanked you for starting the dating challenge.”

“You’re right,” she said smugly. “That’s one thing that I get all the credit for.”

“I can’t argue with that,” he said.

“That’s the first lesson a boyfriend needs to learn,” she said. “That the girl is always right.”

He reached up and caressed her cheek, moving a wet hair out of her eyes. “You’re a good teacher.”

He leaned down and kissed her. Soft and tender, the contact sent desire pooling in her belly. She forgot the chill from the water and the discomfort of her wet clothing, the box leaning against her leg, even the breeze on her wet skin. Her hands snaked up and held his neck, threaded into his hair while she clung to the warmth he inspired.

When they finally parted she gazed into his blue eyes. “What was that for?” she murmured.

“There’s something I want to tell you,” he said, his voice quiet, inviting.

“What’s that?” she asked.

A spark of fear threaded into her chest. It was not the fear of loss or worry, the openness to his expression did not suggest that, rather the stillness before a memorable moment. She realized she was holding her breath.

“Kate,” he said. “I . . .”

His phone rang, startling them both and shattering the moment like glass. He held her gaze for a moment as his phone rang and then kissed her briefly. A smile played across his features.

“Sometimes I hate phones,” he said.

“Me too,” she said, her heart thumping against her ribs. She had to swallow to clear her throat. “It’s probably Jackson. Our job isn’t done yet.”

“To be continued,” he said.

“I look forward to it.”

He picked up his phone and she listened to Jackson ask how it went. Reed answered normally but remained inches from her, his other arm still around her back. His eyes never left hers.

“We’ll be there in a few,” he said. “We have to stop and change first.”

“Hurry up,” Jackson asked. “Or you’re going to miss it.”

“Shelby wasn’t the only casualty from the water balloons,” Reed said with a smile.

“Well stop playing around and get back here,” Jackson said with a laugh.

“We’re on our way,” he said. He hung up and put his phone into his pocket, still looking to Kate. “We’d better get going.”

“Today is about Jackson and Shelby,” she agreed.

He smiled and nodded. “We come later.”

Another thrill took her breath. “Let’s go,” she said.

She reluctantly retreated and felt the cold for the first time. Shivering, she hurried to the car and they left the park behind. The heat in his car had decided to quit again so they shivered all the way back to her house, where he dropped her off.

She rushed inside and stripped. Leaving her wet clothes on the bathroom floor, she turned on the shower and then laid out her dress for the evening. She’d forsaken her usual green for a red and black number, the red a series of artistic curves and whirls that gradually gave way to the black hem.

Her phone rang and she saw it was Reed, but instead of a voice call it was Facetime. She glanced down at her naked body and then grinned. Tipping the camera up to just show her face, she answered.

“What’s with the video call?” she asked.

“I’m almost done,” he said. “I thought you’d like to talk while we finished getting ready.”

The screen showed him in a black button up shirt with a red tie that matched her dress—even though he hadn’t seen it. She shook her head, realizing one of her roommates had told him what she intended on wearing.

“I’ll be over to pick you up in a minute,” he said.

“I think I’ll meet you there,” Kate said. “I decided to take a shower so I’m running late.”

“A shower?” he asked. He looked up from where he was tying his shoes, and Kate tilted the camera to reveal her bare shoulders.

His eyes widened and he spoke in a strangled voice. “Okay, I’ll meet you there!”

She laughed and flipped her hair. “You sure? You could come over if you’d like . . .”

“No,” he said, and then grunted in chagrin. “Do you enjoy tormenting me?”

She gave a devilish laugh and tilted the phone back to her face. “Yes,” she said. She blew a kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”

He shook his head. “Don’t be late.”

She hung up and left the phone on the desk. Taking a fast shower, she quickly dressed and tied her hair back. Then she donned her black heels and lifted the dress so she could hurry to the car. On the way, she picked up the sleek black mask that contrasted with the green in her eyes.

 A glance at the clock in her car revealed her tardiness and she grimaced. She drove to campus as fast as she dared and parked at the arena where the basketball team played their games. Instead of a sports night, the parking lot was full of couples, all dressed up for the Fall Masquerade.

As she hurried inside she passed men and women in formal attire, and she smiled in anticipation of seeing Reed. Music throbbed from inside and she threaded her way through the crowd until she reached the arena floor. Then she slowed to a halt, her eyes lifting to the ceiling.

The basketball court had been transformed into a medieval courtyard. Pillars lined the exterior with cloth draped between them, closing off the view of the seats. Greenery had been added to make the floor resemble a courtyard, while lights glowed in the canopy.

Packed with dancing couples, the floor vibrated with the music. The annual dance was a tradition on campus and always occurred the Friday before Halloween. Kate had always wanted to go but Jason didn’t like to dance, and so she’d sat home and discovered an affinity for Cinderella.

She walked up the tunnel, advancing past walls of cloth rippling in the air to reach the dance floor. Spinning images of masks and jewels swirled across the ceiling and walls, while the jumbotron had been covered in mirrors, reflecting the lights in a dazzling display across the arena.

A slow dance replaced the fast song and dancers paired off, turning beneath the dim lights. She picked her way through the dancers until she spotted Reed, who stood at center court with Jackson. As if sensing her approach, he turned, and her breath caught.

She’d never seen him dressed up, and in the dark suit he looked stunning. He stood with one hand in his pocket, leaning to the side like he’d just emerged from a magazine. His blue eyes lit with admiration at seeing her and traveled up and down her form.

She closed the gap and looked up into his eyes. “You look amazing,” she said.

“Not compared to you,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her.

“You’re late,” Jackson said, “but you look stunning.”

“Thank you,” she said. “When’s Shelby supposed to be here?”

He looked at his phone. “A few minutes.”

Kate noticed his nervousness and stepped close. “She loves you,” she said. “She’s going to say yes.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” he said, releasing a nervous breath.

He stepped out of view and pulled a stand into place on center court. A basketball sat atop the stand and Jackson pulled out a small box from his pocket. He balanced it on top of the ball and nodded to them.

“I’m ready,” he said.

Reed reached for Kate’s hand and led her through the dancers to the table at the side of the arena were several employees were running the lights and music. One of them spotted Reed’s approach and stood.

“Is Jackson ready?”

“I think so,” Reed said.

“We’ve got their song all cued up,” he said. “Just say the word and we’ll hit the music and the spotlights.”

“What’s he going to say?” Kate asked, craning to look at the tunnel where Shelby would emerge.

“I don’t know,” Reed replied. “He wouldn’t tell me how he wanted to propose.”

Kate’s phone buzzed and she pulled out her phone. “Marta says she’s here.”

Reed caught Jackson’s eye and waved. Jackson straightened his suit and then stepped into the crowd just out of view of the stand. Those around the circle noticed the ring box on the basketball and began to whisper to each other, the speculation spreading like wildfire.

Kate looked to Reed and found him watching her, his eyes lit with excitement. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her, softly. Her stomach flipped from the contact and then she looked to the tunnel just as Shelby walked into view. Reed spotted her as well and motioned to the DJ, who faded the music.

At the sudden absence of the music, students shifted uncertainly until a spotlight appeared and descended on Shelby. Other spotlights appeared, shining in a line between her and center court. By unspoken accord the crowd parted, leaving an aisle to the basketball and ring box. It also allowed Kate to get a good look.

On the stop Marta had been in charge of, Shelby had found the dress and the mask, and she looked stunning in black and white, the two-toned dress highlighting her blond hair. Her mask was ethereal, revealing her beauty.

 “Jackson?” Shelby called, her voice uncertain.

There was no answer, and she uncertainly advanced down the aisle of light to the ball at the end. She slowed as she saw the velvet box and didn’t notice Jackson appear behind her, reaching her side just as she picked up the black velvet case. Her breath caught as she carefully eased it open. The light glittered off the diamond ring.

“Shelby,” Jackson said.

She turned to find Jackson down on one knee, and her hands flew to her mouth. Jackson merely smiled as if he wanted to savor the moment, and tears came to Shelby’s eyes, a strangled sound of joy escaping her lips.

“I never want there to be a day that you aren’t on my team,” Jackson said, his voice filling the silent arena. “And I promise that if you join me, I’ll let you be the captain.” She laughed through her tears and he grinned. “Shelby Sewell, will you marry me . . .?”