She tilted her head, her lips curling in a Mom-knows-best kinda smile. “For most people, yes. I’d call it crazy. The logical woman inside me wants to tell you that you need to experience more, but I know what I see when I look at you two, and that’s the real deal. Just do me a favor.”
I waited for her to continue.
“Just don’t go eloping on graduation day or anything like that.”
I laughed. “Mom, trust me. As much as I love Jeremy and can’t wait to be Mrs. Banks, I have no desire to be a teenage bride. I can absolutely promise you I won’t get married on graduation day.”
“Good. Because, when you do become Mrs. Jeremy Banks, you will make the most beautiful bride. But I’m still not wearing that dress.”
The doorbell rang, and Lexi squealed in the hallway.
Mom glanced back at me. “I want you to have fun tonight, but keep an eye on her?”
“I would’ve even if you hadn’t asked. And Jeremy will, too.”
The sound of Dad’s booming laugh echoed down the hall, and I was suddenly eager as ever to see Jeremy.
When I stepped into the room, Jeremy sucked in a deep breath. It wasn’t a magical, eye-opening, enlightening experience like it had been with homecoming. We’d seen each other through multiple dances, but it still sent a little fluttering throughout my belly to know that, regardless of how many times he saw me all dolled up, I still affected him. That was one of the many things I loved about Jeremy. He always made me feel beautiful.
“You look gorgeous, Sierra. Just like your mother,” he announced for the whole room to hear.
Mom chuckled, shaking her head, and Dad, who’d been standing right next to him, elbowed him right in the side. He let out a little, “Oof,” but it didn’t dampen the grin on his face.
“Sorry, Nick.”
I stared at his shoes, not quite sure if I was ready for the big reveal. Instead, I slowly raked my gaze up, enjoying the way his powder-blue suit fit him perfectly, showing off his firm legs, his lean waist, and his toned arms. I hesitated when I got to his chest before I finally mustered up the courage to look up.
I laughed.
Like, laughed out loud. Bent-over, clutching-my-side, couldn’t-catch-my-breath type laughing.
Jeremy frowned and gingerly patted the top of his hair so as not to mess it up.
It was perfection.
Part of me wondered if he’d printed out a photo of John Stamos circa 1988 and told the stylist, “Emulate that,” because he’d captured his hairstyle to a T. It was tall and poofy on the top but expertly tamed with spray. From my vantage point, the back was wavy, and I was surprised at how long it was. He’d been mostly wearing ball caps or pulling it back at school with Jenna’s help. Even during our make-out sessions, he’d refused to let me touch it. And now, I knew why.
One small section of bang hung on the left side of his forehead, giving him that sexy-’80s-bad-boy look—if there were such a thing.
In short, I loved it, and I couldn’t believe I’d ever been against this idea. He was still frowning at me, so I crossed the room and wrapped my arms around his neck. My fingertips played with the ends of his hair.
“Well?” he asked, sounding nervous.
“John Stamos has nothing on you, Jeremy Banks,” I told him, giving him a wink.
His frown turned into a smile, and he leaned down, smashing his lips against mine. He only pulled back when my dad cleared his throat. His grin was sheepish, and he want to run a hand through his hair, but he stopped at the last second.
“Jeremy, a word?” Dad asked.
I groaned. “Dad, come on.”
“It’s fine, babe,” Jeremy said, giving me a kiss on the forehead. “I can handle it.”
And, handle it, he apparently did, because when he and Dad came back, they were chatting like old chums.
When Nick asked to have a word, I knew exactly what it would entail. He’d done it before every dance I’d taken Sierra to, and I’d never begrudged him for that. Nick Sullivan loved his daughters, and he’d kick any ass he had to if they were hurt. I respected the hell out of him for it, so if I had to sit through another round of “don’t you dare touch my daughter,” I’d do it.
I followed him into the kitchen and stood as he poured himself two fingers of scotch. He held the bottle up to me in a gesture that was asking if I wanted any. Again, he’d done this before.
“No, sir. I’m driving,” I informed him.
“Yes, you are, and I expect you to remember that tonight when you’re driving my daughter to and from the dance. And at the after party. I don’t care what the other kids are doing. You protect her first and foremost. Got it?”
“I’m always careful when Sierra’s in the car. I’ll never let any harm come to her.”
He nodded then sipped his drink. “Look, Jeremy, you’re a good kid. You always have been, and Vicky and I love you as if you’re our own son.”
“Thank you, sir,” I said. “I hope one day that’ll be the case.”
Nick stopped mid-drink. Then he set his glass down on the counter. “Right. About that. When I say you need to protect my daughter, I mean in everything. Not just in the car. Fuck,” he muttered before downing the contents of his glass. He pulled at his tie. “What I mean is…protection, son. Always.
My eyes widened as I realized what he was trying to say. I backed away from the counter and shook my head profusely. “No, no, no. No protection,” I mumbled, which caused his face to turn twelve shades of red.
“Excuse me?” he hissed.
“No! What I meant was it’s not like that. Sierra and I…” Oh, God, was this seriously happening? “We aren’t sleeping together. We haven’t…we haven’t taken that step.”
Nick stood up straight, the color returning to his face. “Oh. Oooohhh.” He took a moment to let it sink in. Then he pointed at me. “And don’t you dare start. Got it?”
“Aye aye, sir,” I agreed, giving him a mock salute.
“It’s not that I thought… I mean, no father wants to think about that, but I… Oh hell, can you not tell Sierra about this?” he asked, crosses the kitchen to pour more scotch. This time, I would’ve accepted an offer.
“Well, sir, that leaves me with a dilemma. You’re asking me to keep something from your daughter, but at the same time, I do think she’d be okay not knowing about this conversation. Is this another one of your tests?”
“No, not a test. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this between us. At the same time, I’ll understand that you and Sierra have no secrets.”
“I think this one can stay between us. No doubt.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “All right, kid. Have fun. No touching, no kissing, no drinking. Got it?” he said with a stern smile.
Again, he got a mock salute. “I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep,” I told him, and he laughed.
“Watch it, Jeremy. Or I’ll lock her away in her room for the rest of her life.”
And, in that moment, I turned serious. “All due respect, Nick, but if you did that, I’d just spend the rest of my life looking for the key, and I wouldn’t care who I’d have to get past in the process.”
He came up beside me and slapped a hand on my shoulder. “I know you would. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll never stand in the way of your happiness with my baby girl. But if you ever hurt her…”
“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself long enough for you to exact your revenge.”
“Good. Now, I believe you have a beautiful girl waiting for you.”
My eyes lit up. “You’re right about that.”
“And one more thing, Jeremy,” he said, stopping me in my tracks. “No more talking about my hot wife. Get your own,” he warned.