Perfect for You(35)

“You don’t like it.” His face falls.

“No, I love it. It’s beautiful, but it must have cost a fortune.”

“You really like it?” He’s looking for reassurance that he did a good job picking it out.

“Yes.” I reach for his face and kiss his lips. “I just don’t want you spending all your money on me. These are diamonds.”

“I know.” He smiles. “Don’t worry about the cost. You’re worth it.” He moves behind me and brushes my hair to the side, kissing my neck. “Let me put it on you?”

“Only if you kiss my neck like that again.” I turn my head and smile at him.

He laughs and reaches for the necklace, carefully removing it from the box and securing the chain around my neck. Once it’s in place, he lowers his lips to my neck again. The necklace is cool against my skin, but I’m on fire from Ash’s kisses. I twist around and meet his lips with mine.

“So, I did well?” Ash asks in between kisses.

“Yeah.” I pull back so I can see his face. “I love you, Ash.” After everything that’s happened, I need to say the words.

“I love you, too, Meg.” He pulls me onto his lap, and I wrap my arms around him, getting lost in his lips again. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary.

***

Monday morning comes too soon. I’m exhausted. Ash and I stayed out past my curfew. I’m usually really good about being home by curfew because it keeps Mom and Dad from asking too many questions, but it was a special night, and I figured I could handle a little backlash. I stare at the alarm like it’s my worst enemy, but my spirits lift the second I feel the necklace around my neck. My fingers graze the three stones, bringing a smile to my face as I remember last night. It was perfect. I get ready for school and go downstairs with a huge smile on my face. Ash’s present is already in my bag. I’m going to slip it into his locker before school starts.

“You look happy this morning,” Mom says, taking a sip of coffee.

“I am.” I pour myself a glass of orange juice and gulp it down. “It’s my five-month anniversary with Ash. See what he gave me last night.” I brush my hair away from the necklace so Mom can see it. She was too sleepy to notice it last night when I got in.

She steps forward and gently lifts the necklace into her hand. “Diamonds?”

“Yup. Real diamonds.” By the way her eyes widen I can tell she was expecting me to say they weren’t real.

“That boy must really love you.”

My smile spreads across my face. Yes, he does.

“Oh.” Mom lets go of the necklace and turns back to the breakfast nook. Whenever she avoids my eyes like this, I know the conversation is going to take a turn for the embarrassing. I brace myself for a mother-daughter talk. “About last night. You were home kind of late, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I know. Sorry. We were celebrating and lost track of time. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

She eyes me over her coffee. Oh, crap. Does she know I’m sleeping with Ash? No. She can’t know for sure. I have to keep calm. Don’t give her any signs that I have something to hide.

“Well, school calls.” I grab an apple off the counter and kiss Mom on the cheek. “See you at dinner.” I’m out the door before she can say another word. I’m so not having the sex talk with Mom. If I hear her talk about condoms, I’ll die. Besides, I already know all that stuff.

I get to school early and head straight for Ash’s locker. I quickly do the combination and slip the wrapped package inside, positioning it so it’s the first thing he’ll see when he opens his locker. Shutting the door, I smile, picturing Ash’s face when he opens it. He’ll love it, and we can go to the game together, so it’s perfect. I look up, ready to head to my own locker, but I don’t make it more than two steps.

Derrick—my Derrick—the guy who cheated on me sophomore year, is standing in the hallway, opening a locker twenty feet in front of me.

I freeze. Forget how to breathe. How can he be here? Am I imagining him? Maybe I’m still sleeping. This sure feels like a nightmare. The only thing that saved me from a complete meltdown, from folding in on myself two years ago was when he left this school, transferred out to go live with his dad after his parents’ divorce. And now, here he is. Back in my life again. Bringing all those feelings crashing to the surface.

I should run before he sees me. Duck into the bathroom or a classroom. Turn and head for the stairs. But I can’t make myself move. I’m paralyzed by the memory of him. By the hurt I still feel. He shuts the locker and turns, meeting my eyes.

“Meg?” A small laugh escapes his lips as he stares at me. He actually seems mildly happy to see me.

“What are you doing here? Why are you back?” I’m not even sure how I’m able to form words right now, but they come spilling out. My body shakes, and I must look like a total freak.

He steps toward me, smiling like he has a secret. “My parents worked things out.” He holds his hands out to the sides. “So, here I am. It’s good to see you, Meg. You look good.”

I wish I could say the same. Yes, he looks good. He always did, but it’s definitely not good to see him. “Why would your parents get back together? Your dad cheated on your mom.” It’s not hard to guess why Derrick is the way he is. He’s a mini version of his father.