He avoided my gaze as his cheeks flushed with color. “Thanks, Kitten. ”
I slipped into some white dress shorts paired with an off-the-shoulder tan sweater. I brushed my hair, letting the golden strands fall down around my shoulders. When I stepped back from the mirror, Jack whistled. “Kitten, the whole world is going to be in love with you after this. ”
“What are you talking about? I’m in shorts and a sweater,” I argued, looking down at my attire.
“You clearly don’t see the way yourself the way guys do. If I was watching ESPN today, I wouldn’t care at all about Jack Carter. I’d want to know everything about Jack Carter’s girlfriend. ”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Shut up. You’re totally embarrassing me. ”
“Maybe you should stay here. It’s one thing to have half the school in love with you, but I don’t think I can handle half the viewing population wanting my girl. ” He sniffed, running his hand through his black hair.
“You’re ridiculous. ”
He inhaled one long breath before shaking his head with his exhale. “I’m gonna have to put a huge rock on your finger before I leave so everyone knows you’re unavailable. ”
My pulse quickened. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Crazy about you,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.
“No, I think you’re just crazy. ” I laughed as I willed my heart to calm down.
*****
Jack led me through the screen door, his fingers intertwined tightly with mine. “Gran? Gramps? We’re here!” he shouted into the house.
I looked around as Gran walked from the entryway in the kitchen wearing a light blue floral dress, a short string of pearls resting at her throat. Gramps followed behind her, dressed in carefully pressed brown dress slacks and a tan button-down shirt.
“You two look so nice!” I squealed.
“So do you, dear. Come here and give me a hug. ” Gramps shuffled toward me with a smile.
I hugged him and he whispered in my ear, “Did you like your present?”
“I did! It’s amazing. I can’t wait to show it to you later,” I said with a large smile.
Gramps clasped his hands together. “Oh good! I want to learn all about it. ”
Gran reached for me and I leaned down toward her to give her a squeeze. “You look lovely, dear. I’m glad you’re here,” she said happily.
“Thank you. I’m happy to be here. ” My heart squeezed with love as I watched Gran meander back into the kitchen, humming happily.
“Have you heard anything about that internship yet?” Gramps asked, his wrinkled face looking hopeful.
“I got it!” I shouted, then winced a little at how overexcited my voice sounded.
“That’s great, dear. Oh, that’s just great news. ” Gramps beamed at me with a wide smile.
“You got the internship, sis?” Dean’s voice cut through the noise in the room as he appeared, rubbing his tired eyes.
“I just found out. I wasn’t going to take it, but now I can. ” I shot a thankful glance toward Jack before finding myself wrapped in Dean’s arms.
“Congratulations. That’s awesome. ” Dean caught me up in a tight bear hug, then released me with a proud smile.
A quick rap at the door reminded us all why we were gathered there in the first place. Jack pulled the curtain back and peered toward the porch. “It’s just Marc and Ryan. ”
He opened the front door for his two well-dressed agents, who sauntered in with their hands filled with paperwork, a bottle of champagne, and a box of baseballs. “How you feeling, champ?” the taller of the two asked Jack.
“Good, thanks,” Jack responded confidently, reaching out his hand to help carry the load.