The Boy on the Bridge

The backdrop looks like a castle balcony in winter time, with snow-covered trees and big palace arches behind us. The blue and white hues compliment our outfits well, and with Hunter’s strong arms wrapped around me, I don’t have to worry about a dim smile for this picture.

After we get our picture taken, Hunter takes my hand and we check out the lit display case right after the picture station.

“Wow, really?” I murmur, looking at it.

Valerie actually had the “snow queen” and “snow king” crowns and sashes put on display for this event.

Hunter smirks. “How pissed do you think she’ll be when she doesn’t win?”

I shrug. I don’t like talking about her with him at all, but in this capacity, I guess it’s okay. “Maybe she will.”

Hunter shakes his head. “Nope. That crown’s yours. You can add it to your collection,” he teases as he comes up behind me and locks his arms around my waist.

I smile contentedly as he pulls me against his strong body. “Oh, I’m going to have a collection?”

“I’m gonna make sure you’re prom queen, too. We’ll campaign and everything, win it straight.”

“You know how much I hate being the center of attention,” I tell him.

“More than you hate me being crowned someone else’s king?”

I pause to consider. “Hm… no. Not more than that.”

His hold on me tightens and he bends to kiss the shell of my ear. “It’ll be easier going up there with me at your side.”

That’s probably true, but I still don’t think there’s any chance I’ll win. Unless… “When you say we’ll win it straight next time, are you implying we aren’t winning it straight tonight?”

“I will not confirm or deny these accusations,” he murmurs, running his perfect lips along the sensitive column of my neck. “All I’ll say is you better get ready to win.”

I sigh. “You shouldn’t fix elections, Hunter.”

“Because it’s against your precious rules?” he teases.

“It’s illegal,” I inform him dramatically.

“You know what’s illegal? You being so damn sexy, but that doesn’t stop you.”

I grin, my face heating with horrified delight. “You say the craziest things.”

“I should’ve fucked you in the limo. Now I have to wait a good two hours. I didn’t think it through.”

I can’t stop grinning as I pull away from him so we can walk over to the snack and drink tables. “You have a problem, Hunter Maxwell.”

“My only problem is that you’re wearing clothes,” he says, taking my hand.

We grab snacks and drinks, then walk under an arch of pearlescent white balloons into a forest of white paper trees.

There’s a park bench set up in the “enchanted forest,” so Hunter and I have a seat there to eat our snacks. I got a deli meat pinwheel, a snowflake cookie, and a blue cake pop.

There are tables set up around the dance floor just like there were at homecoming, so we could eat at one of those, but since I’m here with Hunter tonight, I know if we sit at a table, people will join us.

I’m happy with it just being the two of us for now.

As I polish off the delicious cake pop, I shake my head and tell Hunter, “You know, I don’t like her, but Valerie could have a very promising career as an event planner.”

Lightly amused, he says, “That must be some cake pop.”

I nod eagerly. “We should have these at our wedding.”

His smile widens. “Thinking about marrying me, huh?”

I spread my fingers about a half inch to indicate just a little bit. “Just for the crown, of course.”

“Of course.”

“I’m dedicated to this collection you’ve started for me. After I collect all the high school dance crowns, the next step up is the real deal, and I hear your family has diadems.”

Hunter grins as he stands up, then he takes my hand and hauls me off the bench. “Come here, you.”

I smile, careful to keep the stick from my cake pop away from his nice tuxedo as I give him a hug.

“I hate to break this to you, but you don’t get to keep the crown after the wedding,” he tells me.

I look up at him, feigning dismay. “I have to give it back?”

He nods grimly. “Sorry.”

“Well, forget it, then. The wedding’s off.”

Hunter takes my hand and leads me out onto the dance floor. “I’ll just have to offer you additional incentive to marry me,” he says.

I slide my arms around his neck and gaze up at him lovingly as his hands settle on my waist. “I’m glad the chaperones at these things are so bad at their job,” I tell him.

“Are we dancing too close?” Eyes flashing with mischief, he pulls me even closer.

I roll my eyes indulgently. “Way to flout the rules, Mr. Maxwell.”

“Any rule that dictates our bodies shouldn’t be close together is a rule that needs to be broken,” he replies.