“Rae, Rae. Listen.”
I paused. “Yeah?”
Clint cupped my cheek. “Some other things have happened this week.”
“Oh? Like what?”
His hands settled on my hips. “Things are moving forward with the court date.”
My eyebrows rose. “Wait, what court date?”
“The one against the boys. You know, that pro bono lawyer?”
My jaw dropped open. “The woman who called you? You took her up on her offer?”
He nodded. “I did. And she’s confident we have it in the bag.”
“Are you serious?”
He chuckled. “Very.”
“Holy shit. Clint.”
I threw my arms around him as tears rushed to my eyes. I clung to him, feeling him wrap his arms around me. He stood up and carried me with him, opening the balcony door and walking us back inside. I curled against him, tucking my face into the crook of his neck as I heard Cecilia still on the phone ordering food.
I drew in shuddering breaths as I tried keeping my tears at bay.
“I’m so happy you decided to go with it,” I whispered.
Clint kissed my cheek. “I know you are. And I knew it needed to happen. I guess with everything going on with the house and my dad, I didn’t want more on my plate. But she’s made this process pretty painless.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
A door closed behind us and I lifted my head. I watched Clint’s bed come into view before he walked me over. He settled me down on the edge, then patted my back. Trying to get me to let go.
“I’ve got one more thing I want to show you.”
I sniffled. “What is it?”
He stood up. “Something Cecilia helped me pick out.”
I walked him walk over to his closet. He slid the doors open and plucked something out from the back. He turned around and my hands flew to my mouth, taking in the beauty of the pristine black suit. Crisp. Clean cut. Tailored specifically to him. The button-front shirt had a glossy texture to it, juxtaposing the matte black jacket. The black collar was velveteen. But it was the dark green bowtie that caught my eye.
The color reminded me a lot of that dress Cecilia gifted me.
“Clint, it’s—it’s beautiful.”
He nodded. “It is. But it’s nothing unless you’re on my arm.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Rae, will you go to prom with me?”
And as I rushed off the bed, I lunged at him. I wrapped my arms around him as tears welled in my eyes. I hugged him tightly, peppering his cheek with kisses. He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around me, the suit dragging along the hardwood floors of their new apartment.
“I’ve been waiting forever for you to ask.”
He snickered. “Then say yes.”