I like you.
Not exactly what I want, but it’s a start.
“You better, since you’re stuck with me.” Brushing my mouth against her cheek, I twine my fingers with hers and throw my other arm around Penny’s shoulder. I’m not sure where Miguel and Becky got lost, but right now, I don’t want to think about it. “Let’s go, and see if we can find my parents in this crowd.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
KATHERINE
“Kate, Emmett’s here!” Aunt Mabel yells from downstairs.
I turn around to face Penny and Henry, who are sitting on my bed. “He’s here!”
“So, I heard.” Penny giggles. “Probably half the town, too.”
“Don’t be sassy with me, missy,” I reprimand her, nervous excitement coursing through my body.
“How can I not? It feels like déjà vu.”
She’s right, dammit. It’s just like that day Emmett took us to our non-date date. The day I kissed him, just like he asked me. Then he kissed me back, and the rest is history.
Was it just a few weeks back? It feels like so much longer.
“Kate?”
“She’s coming!” Penny yells, jumping off the bed.
“C’mon, you don’t want to keep him waiting.”
I give myself one final look in the mirror, smoothing out the hem of my skirt. It’s dark purple-blue, the perfect match to my eyes. The lace is delicate, making the simple design look absolutely gorgeous. I still can’t believe I’ve gone ahead and bought this dress.
“You look great, Kate.”
I turn around and face my sister. “No offense, Pen, but you can’t actually know that.”
She places her hand on my chest, right in the middle. “I know your heart, and it’s the most beautiful thing you can offer to anybody.”
My throat tightens, making it hard to breathe, my eyes turning misty. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Then you better hustle.” Penny gives me a little push toward the door. “Let’s go.”
The three of us walk out of the room and down the stairs. The foyer is empty, but I can hear Aunt Mabel laughing at something in the living room. I’m not sure where Mom is, but thankfully, she’s not here. She hasn’t been since her fight with Aunt Mabel last night. Hopefully, she left and won’t be coming back anytime soon. It’s highly unlikely, but I don’t want to think about her tonight. She won’t ruin this for me.
Crossing the hallway, I stop in the doorway of the living room. Emmett is sitting on the couch while Mabel fills a glass of sweet tea on the coffee table in front of him.
Penny lets go of me and enters the room with Henry by her side. “Hey, Emmett,” Penny greets him cheerfully.
Emmett turns around at the sound of her voice, and then his eyes land on me. He stands up abruptly, mouth slightly open as his gaze takes me in from head to toe.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other as I drink him in.
Emmett is usually handsome, but the black suit and white dress shirt make him downright, mouthwateringly gorgeous. I can only hope I don’t start to drool.
“You look…” He shakes his head. “Beautiful. Stunning.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
Emmett takes a step closer, extending his hand toward me. Slowly, I place my hand in his, our fingers brush, and there is that sizzling feeling that appears every time he touches me.
Aunt Mabel walks around us to stand next to Penny. “Y’all look so sweet! Want to take a few photos before you go?”
Emmett pulls me into his arms, his lips brushing against my neck. “Always.”
“You guys sure know how to party,” I yell so Emmett can hear me over the sound of the country music playing loudly. I have to give it to the decorating team, or is it a committee? Beats me. Whatever they call themselves, they did a really nice job of transforming the school gym into a dance hall for the party, decorating everything in purples and golds. Balloons are scattered all around the floor, and there are twinkling lights hanging on the walls, giving the whole room a magical feel.
“You sure you don’t want to join them?” Emmett wraps his arms around my waist from behind, his chin leaning against my shoulder.
“No chance in hell.”
“Never danced a two-step?”
I turn to the side so I can look at him. “You did?”
“You can’t be born in Texas and not know how to two-step.”
“Well, I wasn’t born in Texas. What I was born with, however, are two left feet. I’d most likely tangle and fall on my ass.”
Emmett laughs, the soft rumble of his chest vibrating against my back. “We’ll make a true southerner out of you one of these days. Besides, didn’t I already tell you?” Emmett’s fingers brush against my cheek. “I’ll never let you fall.”
My heart thumps rapidly against my ribcage. My stomach clenching tightly as if there’re a dozen butterflies fluttering around.
The song comes to an end, and another one starts almost instantly, this one much slower. Emmett’s hands slide down my sides until our fingers intertwine, and he turns me to face him.
“Dance with me.”
It’s not a question. Not like I’d ever say no to him.
With my hands in his, he pulls me out on the dance floor. I’d be surprised he hasn’t crashed into anybody, but then again, this is Emmett we’re talking about.
Emmett pulls me back into his arms. Our bodies brush against each other as his hands settle at the small of my back. I wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers playing with the hair at the base of his neck.
“I like it when you don’t wear a hat.”
“And I like you in this dress.”
His hands move lower, brushing the curve of my ass.
“Emmett,” I whisper in warning, my fingers tightening in his hair.
He quirks a brow, his hand moving just a bit lower. “Katherine.”
“Don’t tease.”
“I just like to see you blush,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.
My whole body shivers as his hot breath brushes against my skin. With one lingering brush over my extreme lower back, he returns his hands back where they belong.
We slowly sway to the song. Emmett hums the lyrics into my ear, his strong arms enveloping me completely. I lean my head against his chest, feeling his warmth radiating through the layers of clothes between us, and the sound of his strong heartbeat just under my ear.
I love being in his arms like this. It’s comforting, safe. Kind of reminds me of how home must feel.
Even as the song draws to an end, Emmett doesn’t let go of me. And when another upbeat song comes next, he doesn’t pull away.
“Okay, you two love birds, that’s enough.” Becky loops her hand through mine and tugs me back.
“Back off, Becs.” Emmett tries to shoo her away, unsuccessfully. “Go get your own boyfriend.”
“Can’t bring him where I need to go.”
“And where’s that?”
“To pee, if you really want to know.” She rolls her eyes at Emmett’s pouting face. “Don’t be a baby, we’ll be back in a bit. You two go and grab some punch.”