“Thank you,” I tell the sales lady, taking the bag from her.
“All right, let’s get some mall junk food for lunch and go home and get ready.” We leave the store and head for the food court. She orders one of everything. I can see where Ren gets his eating habits.
“I hope you had a good time today. I know I did. I always wanted a daughter.” She reaches out, placing her hand on mine. “I know you lost your mom, and I would never want to take her place, but I wouldn’t mind if you let me try to fill some of the empty spaces.”
My eyes begin to water. “You have no idea how nice it’s been being around you guys. I think I’d forgotten what a family was supposed to be like.”
“Well, if Ren has his way you’ll never be leaving us. He’s just like his father. Finds what he wants and never lets go.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere.”
“Good. You’d break my little boy’s heart, and I don’t know that I could let you go either. He’s opened up more since you walked into his life. It’s almost like he’s been waiting for you all this time.”
I drop my head trying to hide my blush, loving every word she said.
“I want to talk to you about something, though, Lily.”
She leans back in her chair. “You know I’m a nurse.”
I nod. It’s actually a profession I was looking into pursuing myself. I know it’s a steady job and drawing probably isn’t something I could make a living from.
“You and Ren are both eighteen, and well, I know what happens at a lot of dances.”
At her words, my face warms. I can’t have this talk with her. It’s also what I’ve been planning on. What I was thinking every time I tried on a dress today. What would it be like when Ren took it off? I want it so badly.
“Mrs. Hendricks.” I try to stop her, but she keeps going.
“I just want to make sure you two are safe. You’re using protection. I know these things are going to happen, and I want to make sure you’re both protected from pregnancy. Not that I don’t want grandbabies, but all in due time.”
The thought of babies with Ren sends a delicious thrill through my body. But she’s right. All in due time.
“I’m on the shot. My mom put me on it when I was sixteen.”
“That's good, sweetheart. I’m glad we got that out there. Now, should we get our nails done?”
19
Ren
“You look so beautiful, Lily.” I look into her big bright eyes that are the same color as her dress. The soft light in the ballroom makes her look like she’s glowing, and I hold her in my arms and stare at her as we sway to the music.
She got ready at my house, and I had to wait downstairs with my dad until she was ready. My mom came down first, and Lily followed, walking down the steps like something from a fairy tale. It was perfect. I ended up running up the steps to help her walk down. I didn’t want her to fall in her heels.
My mom took pictures of us and made a big fuss over everything, and it was perfect. I wanted to make a big deal about this, because Lily said she’d never been to a dance before, and neither had I. I thought we owed it to ourselves to do this before we left high school and went to college. Plus, I wanted her to feel special, because she is. She’s completely perfect.
The only dark spot was the fact that she didn’t want to go to her house to let me meet her dad. I really thought that maybe since tonight was so important that we could do an introduction. I even tried to suggest that maybe he would want pictures of her looking so beautiful, but she immediately dismissed it. Something is going on there, but I’m not pushing it tonight. I’ll give it another day, and if she still won’t bend, then I’ll show up one night and do it myself. I love Lily and I don’t want to treat her or our relationship like some dirty secret.
We went to dinner before the dance and I got us a room at the hotel where it’s being held. I told my dad I wouldn’t be home and he just nodded. I’m sure he’s told my mom, but at this point, I’m not worried about it. They know how I feel about Lily, and I’m ready to tell her myself.
“Can we get out of here?” she asks, running her hands up my neck and smiling at me.
“You sure you don’t want another dance?” I tease, leaning down and kissing her lips softly. I don’t care who is looking. I let everyone else in the room slip away. She’s all that matters. It’s like we’re in our own little world.
“My feet hurt,” she pouts.
I know she’s just trying to get out of here, and I can’t say that I blame her. I’m ready to go, too. It’s close to the end of the night, and most everyone has already left. Taking her hand, I lead her out of the ballroom and through the lobby of the hotel. I scan our key, and we take the elevator up to our floor. Once we are at the door to our room, I scoop her up and carry her inside.