seems like overkill, but the adulations only make me want to kiss him more.
I’m dizzy by the time he tips me upright, and he holds my body close to his while the stars circle my head. We spend the next several minutes basically being interviewed by our friends, and there are actual awes when Tory gives Hayden full credit for us ever happening. It’s credit due, though, because without his gentle pushes, I’m not sure either of us would have ever given in.
The party bus finally honks outside, saving us from more prying questions, like the one I fear June is about to ask. She put two and two together, and I’m judging by the distance her brow travels up her forehead, she realizes that Tory and I totally had sex on her bed.
The D’Angelos paid for the enormous Hummer to drive us all to the prom. Even though the distance to the ballroom is short, we still manage to test out every gadget and feature. By the time we roll up to the dance, we have the disco ball spinning and the neon lights changing colors. I think the guys would be happy with their dates for hours in this small, intimate space, but I for one have plans to dance until my feet cave in.
Answering my prayers, Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud” is kicking as we make our way in, and before Tory can plant his ass in a chair, I wrap his tie around my hand and lead him out onto the dance floor.
“Not gonna lie. You intimidate me a little, Cortez,” he says, tugging his tie loose when I let go. He unbuttons the top button of his dress shirt and stretches his arms like he’s getting ready to compete in a triathlon.
“Your arms aren’t as important as your hips,” I say, shouting over the music. His eyes slant, playfully frightened. “Here.”
I put my hands on his hips and stand about a foot away so he can follow my movement. It’s basically a figure eight, only it isn’t just two dimensional, it’s three. When I roll my hips, Tory’s head falls back in a fit of laughter.
“What?” I ask.
He points to my body, drawing his finger up and down.
“There is no way I can do that,” he says.
I look at him sideways, knowing he can. He just needs the right encouragement.
Taking his hands in mine, I place them on my hips and look him in the eyes as I proceed to move again. After a few beats, his feet are moving with mine, and by the time the song is really in its groove, he’s gotten it down, at least enough to hold me close and let our bodies grind. I knew he would like this. I can teach him the fancier stuff later.
The DJ carries right into another salsa song, so we stay on the dance floor, our bodies damp from both the exertion and the sexiness that comes with being this close to one another and moving like this while clothed. I catch June attempting to follow my steps while dancing with Lucas, so I pause with Tory and give an impromptu lesson. By the third song, I’ve managed to teach four couples to do a basic step, and the vibe is singing to my heart as we all sway to the rhythm.
The tempo finally slows, and I’m grateful to have a moment to hold Tory to me and barely move. It also gives me time to prepare for the second big reveal Tory and I planned for tonight—this one for each other.
“Do you want to do it now?” I ask, knowing he’ll get what I mean.
“Hmmm, I’m not sure. What if—”
“We’re different?” I finish for him.
He peels back enough to look me in the eyes, his mouth set with worry.
After we’d been dating for two months, the college talk started to take on realistic consequences. With our past, and with the mistakes we’ve seen our parents make, we didn’t want to fall into the trap of having one of us give up a dream to follow the other person to theirs. We came to the decision that we would narrow down our schools and share our decisions with one another at the same time—tonight.
“There is no wrong decision. And I will love you no matter what coast you’re on,” I say, moving into him and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
He hugs me tightly against his chest and spins us around.