want
you to think back to when she was the woman you most wanted to woo in the whole
world, and treat her like she’s that person again.”
“And what if it doesn’t work?”
I shrugged. “Then at least you will have tried everything.”
“I’m too tired when I get in most nights to do that stuff though.”
“Too tired to save your marriage?”
“Touché.”
I smiled. “Try it for two weeks. What have you got to lose?”
He sighed. “My wife. My best friend. The mother of my children.”
“So fight for her. You said you were willing to do anything
right?”
“Yeah.”
“So help her find her way back by treating her like the woman
you fell in love with.”
Thomas cocked his head. “You think I can pull it off?”
“I know you can.”
Thomas left that session with renewed hope, and I was happy for
him. But I was jealous, too.
Because he still had time to make things right.
And because he knew what I didn’t. He knew how to reach out to
the person he loved most and show her that he’s cared all along.
Chapter
11: Kate
I was so nervous the week before the dance I was sure my anxiety
would manifest itself as some kind of monster pimple. But for once, I got lucky.
My skin looked great, and I actually felt pretty. And my purple dress was only
tight on top so I wouldn’t have to suck in all night.
Our group of eight couples met up to take pictures at the
Hendricks’s house before the dance. And as soon as I saw Ian all dressed up in
his tux in front of his house, I could barely contain my excitement.
He was the coolest guy I’d ever liked. And the fact that he was
taking me to the dance meant that he was happy for the whole world to know he
liked me back.
Of course, I was a little worried about meeting his parents. Especially
since I’d already met the inside of their station wagon trunk. But they were nice,
and his Mom even told me I looked pretty while I was pinning on his boutonniere.
And when he gave me my corsage, it felt like the cherry on top.
I mean, I know the whole thing is a bit old fashioned, but I
think there’s something kind of sweet about being decorated by your date. Plus,
it’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to a guy giving me flowers. And Mrs.
Hendricks went out of her way to say he picked the corsage himself. So I think
it counts.
My Mom came along to take pictures, but I knew she was more
interested in checking out Ian and evaluating his parents’ maturity. Fortunately,
they assured her that they would be home for the duration of the after party.
I suspect they didn’t know there was a keg on ice in one of
their garbage bins and several cases of beer hidden in bushes around their
house. But that was for the best. The important thing was that my Mom seemed
relieved after she talked to them.
Once everyone arrived, we stood in a line to take the pictures.
Ian had his hand around my waist the whole time, and I was beaming.
And for a few minutes, I didn’t hate my Mom or think about my
eating disorder. I didn’t worry about whether my bush was too bushy or whether
Ian and I were going to have sex later or whether we were all going to be okay.
I just enjoyed having a good looking guy’s arm around me while I wore a pretty
dress.
When we finally arrived at the decorated school gym, Ian asked
me to dance right away. I followed him onto the basketball court and draped my
arms over his shoulders.
“I’m glad your Mom finally ungrounded you,” he said.
“No kidding.”
“I missed you a lot the past few weekends.” He pulled my hips closer
and his eyes sparkled.
“Really?”
“Of course,” he said. “I wasn’t even going to come to this thing
if I couldn’t take you.”
“You could’ve asked somebody else.”
He shook his head. “There isn’t anybody else.”
I smiled. His attention made me feel so special and wanted.
But things went downhill from there.
I mean, I don't know which faculty member was responsible for
choosing the
you to think back to when she was the woman you most wanted to woo in the whole
world, and treat her like she’s that person again.”
“And what if it doesn’t work?”
I shrugged. “Then at least you will have tried everything.”
“I’m too tired when I get in most nights to do that stuff though.”
“Too tired to save your marriage?”
“Touché.”
I smiled. “Try it for two weeks. What have you got to lose?”
He sighed. “My wife. My best friend. The mother of my children.”
“So fight for her. You said you were willing to do anything
right?”
“Yeah.”
“So help her find her way back by treating her like the woman
you fell in love with.”
Thomas cocked his head. “You think I can pull it off?”
“I know you can.”
Thomas left that session with renewed hope, and I was happy for
him. But I was jealous, too.
Because he still had time to make things right.
And because he knew what I didn’t. He knew how to reach out to
the person he loved most and show her that he’s cared all along.
Chapter
11: Kate
I was so nervous the week before the dance I was sure my anxiety
would manifest itself as some kind of monster pimple. But for once, I got lucky.
My skin looked great, and I actually felt pretty. And my purple dress was only
tight on top so I wouldn’t have to suck in all night.
Our group of eight couples met up to take pictures at the
Hendricks’s house before the dance. And as soon as I saw Ian all dressed up in
his tux in front of his house, I could barely contain my excitement.
He was the coolest guy I’d ever liked. And the fact that he was
taking me to the dance meant that he was happy for the whole world to know he
liked me back.
Of course, I was a little worried about meeting his parents. Especially
since I’d already met the inside of their station wagon trunk. But they were nice,
and his Mom even told me I looked pretty while I was pinning on his boutonniere.
And when he gave me my corsage, it felt like the cherry on top.
I mean, I know the whole thing is a bit old fashioned, but I
think there’s something kind of sweet about being decorated by your date. Plus,
it’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to a guy giving me flowers. And Mrs.
Hendricks went out of her way to say he picked the corsage himself. So I think
it counts.
My Mom came along to take pictures, but I knew she was more
interested in checking out Ian and evaluating his parents’ maturity. Fortunately,
they assured her that they would be home for the duration of the after party.
I suspect they didn’t know there was a keg on ice in one of
their garbage bins and several cases of beer hidden in bushes around their
house. But that was for the best. The important thing was that my Mom seemed
relieved after she talked to them.
Once everyone arrived, we stood in a line to take the pictures.
Ian had his hand around my waist the whole time, and I was beaming.
And for a few minutes, I didn’t hate my Mom or think about my
eating disorder. I didn’t worry about whether my bush was too bushy or whether
Ian and I were going to have sex later or whether we were all going to be okay.
I just enjoyed having a good looking guy’s arm around me while I wore a pretty
dress.
When we finally arrived at the decorated school gym, Ian asked
me to dance right away. I followed him onto the basketball court and draped my
arms over his shoulders.
“I’m glad your Mom finally ungrounded you,” he said.
“No kidding.”
“I missed you a lot the past few weekends.” He pulled my hips closer
and his eyes sparkled.
“Really?”
“Of course,” he said. “I wasn’t even going to come to this thing
if I couldn’t take you.”
“You could’ve asked somebody else.”
He shook his head. “There isn’t anybody else.”
I smiled. His attention made me feel so special and wanted.
But things went downhill from there.
I mean, I don't know which faculty member was responsible for
choosing the
Similar Books
