Caught in Us (Lost 3)

Damon strokes my hair lightly. I lean in, searching for his lips, needing them to soothe me. When he brushes my lips, I sigh in his mouth, shifting closer to him, needing the warmth of his body. Worry laces his kiss, and he frowns when he returns his attention to the road. I pull my knees to my chest and rest my head on them, remaining cocooned like this for a long time until I drift off to sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Dani

"Are you ready?" Damon watches me with a grin the size of Texas as I descend the steps outside the dorm three weeks later. I'm quite proud of my choice of clothing: a gorgeous, red gown. The shoes were a bad idea. The heels are about two inches too high for me, and every step I take feels like it'll be the last one before I fall flat on my face.

"You look great in a suit. Should wear one more often." He’s wearing a black suit and a white shirt, looking more elegant than I've ever seen him, and completely breathtaking.

"It's your brother's rehearsal dinner, and I am officially meeting my future in-laws today. I must make a good impression."

"They'll both be in a frenzy because of the wedding. No one will pay you much attention, trust me."

"That's encouraging. Are you going to talk to your dad about the factory today?"

"I'm certainly going to try." Now that I know what my dream is, I intend to go full steam to get it. "Don’t worry about meeting my parents. James lobbied so hard for you since your return that they worship you. Now, let's get to the in-laws bit."

"Did I say that out loud? Whoops." He opens the door of my car, helping me inside. "You won't hear more about it for another four years, at least. Where are Hazel and Chase?"

"Right here," they bo

th say from behind him. When we're all inside the car, I glance in the rearview mirror at Hazel and Chase, holding hands and smiling at each other.

Then Chase looks at me pointedly. "So, how come Hazel and I are invited to the rehearsal dinner? I thought this would be Damon's awkward meet-the-family day."

"Hazel's invited, and hence, you, too," I say.

"You're coming to make it less awkward," Damon groans, pushing the gas pedal.

"Oh, and you are also meeting Hazel's parents," I point out matter-of-factly.

"What?" Chase looks wildly from Hazel to me, and it's all I can do not to burst out laughing. "You're not serious. Is she serious?"

Hazel nods, grazing her lips with her teeth in an effort not to laugh. "They spontaneously decided to stop by."

"And you all decided to spontaneously give me a heart attack?"

Chase's clumsy attempts to get out of the whole thing punctuate the three-hour drive to my parents’ house. For the last part of the journey, Chase and Hazel start bickering. I'm grateful no one brings up the incident with Gabe at the party. In fact, no one’s mentioned it at all in the weeks that passed. I had to visit the police station once. Things aren't looking good for Gabe. The officers were throwing around terms like ‘seven to ten years imprisonment’. I shake my head, dispersing the thoughts of the incident. It's over; that's all that matters.

When we arrive at my parents' house, the parking lot is full with guest cars. Damon parks, and then we make our way around the house toward the garden where the official entrance to the ballroom is. When I say official, I mean it. There are arrows with James and Serena's name pointing toward it, as if there's any chance someone might end up at another wedding. I snicker, imagining how much fun Dad made of Mom because of these arrows. The garden looks utterly amazing. With twinkle lights around the trees, it’s like we've stepped into a fairytale.

"Are you sure this is the rehearsal dinner and not the actual wedding?" Hazel asks. "There are so many people."

It becomes clear real quick that despite all the hired wedding organizers, my mom is the official whip-cracker here. She's snapping at the service people continuously, and we stay out of her way. Chase and Hazel hover around us. Serena is nowhere, but I do spot James and Dad in the doorway of the ballroom. Parker is with them, which means Jessica is around, too.

"Dad, this is Damon," I point out unnecessarily when James and Dad come to greet us. They shake hands, smiling. No one says anything, and I sneak a glance at James, silently pleading for him to come up with an ice-breaker. Chase was supposed to fulfill the ice-breaker role, but he's too stressed looking around for Hazel's parents.

"Dani has something to tell you." James grins at me. I gulp...well, that wasn't what I had in mind as an ice-breaker.

"Well, I..." My words wither as I notice Dad's smile growing wider. I’m certain he knows all about my plans to work at the chocolate factory.

"You told him," I accuse James. I told James about a week ago.

"Guilty."

My father gives me a bear hug, the kind James always gives me, saying, "I'm sure you'll do great."

"I have thought it all out," I start, ready to recite the speech I've prepared. "I'll start as an intern. I don't want any favors—”

"Dani," Dad interrupts with a good-natured chuckle. "I'm sure you made a ten-year plan. We'll discuss it after the wedding, and you'll tell me everything. Your mother might just have all of our heads if we talk business today. Now, I'd very much like to talk to this gentleman." He looks up at Damon, who's gone suddenly pale. Chase puts his fist in front of his mouth to hide his smile.