Cupcake

“I can’t believe Lana won,” Toni said.

“I can,” I said, smiling as Lana danced with Zander. It wasn’t one of our choreographed ones—we’d done those earlier when the Homecoming dance first started. Rhys hadn’t missed a step—and it looked like both of them were having a good time. Lana’s crown glinted under the lights. “I’m glad she won.”

“You are?” My best friend sniffed as I nodded. “Well, I guess it’s fine. Nothing surprising or original, but if you’re good, then I’m good.”

I shot her a grin. “I am so good.”

Toni laughed. “I can see that. So, I gotta say, that kiss was unexpected. I know we talked about showing Rhys your feelings, but I thought you’d bake him a cake or something.”

“I thought about it,” I said, “but that wouldn’t have been enough.”

“Hey, no complaints here,” she said. “Hooray for PDA!”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head.

“Your mom took it pretty well.”

“I know,” I said. We’d had a big talk about it before the dance, and she’d been of two minds. “Part of her was shocked that I did it at all. The other part was glad because it reminded her of some of our favorite rom-coms. Before I left, she told me, in no uncertain terms, to be home by midnight. Pretty sure the kiss inspired that as well.”

Toni laughed at that. “You should’ve heard her when it happened. She was cheering louder than anybody else. I thought I saw a few tears, too.”

“Probably.” I lifted my chin, gesturing to something behind her shoulder. “It looks like Ben’s coming back. How do you keep convincing him to get you punch all the time instead of walking over there yourself?”

“It’s a gift,” she said.

Rhys was walking next to him. He’d gone over with Ben, and I had to admit, I may have been ogling him every chance I got. Rhys in a football uniform was one thing, but Rhys in a suit? Lord help me.

“Your man is looking mighty fine,” Toni remarked.

“Hey, eyes to yourself,” I said then sighed. “But yeah, he totally is.”

Rhys gave me a half smile as he got closer. I was surprised I didn’t melt on the spot.

“Ben’s looking good, too.”

“I know this,” she said. “Can you believe he got a tailor to match his tie to the exact color and material of my dress? So above and beyond.”

I could believe it, I thought. Ben was all about Toni, and my best friend was head over heels for him.

The guys joined us, and Rhys sidled up beside me.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look, Princess?” he asked.

I gave him a look but couldn’t help my smile. “Only about a dozen times.”

“Ah well, that’s not nearly enough.” Rhys looked at me, his eyes bright. “You look gorgeous.”

Strangely enough, I had no trouble believing he meant it.

“So do you,” I said. “You’re almost too pretty to look at.”

Toni groaned. “Ugh, please. No more. Ben, let’s go before their mushy ways rub off on us.”

“Whatever you say, love,” Ben said, and Toni blushed to high heaven.

“Catch you later, A,” my BFF said.

“Sounds good, love,” I said back.

The two scurried away without another word. They were cute together, and I was glad we had come as a group. I couldn’t imagine this night without my best friend.

Then Rhys stepped in front of me, and a new thought formed. The truth was: I couldn’t imagine it without him, either.

“I’m glad you were able to get Selene up and running for tonight,” I said. “Zander was right. That is a beautiful car.”

“A gas-guzzling tank of a car, but yeah,” Rhys said. “Me too.”

“You think she’ll be able to get us home?”

“You know it. I wouldn’t have taken her out if I thought she’d break down. Not with you in the car.”

The flutters in my stomach couldn’t be controlled.

Rhys sent me that little smile again. “Do you think your mom got enough pictures?”

My smile grew as I remembered her asking us for “just one more” about a million times.

“She wanted to get us from every angle,” I said. “I know neither one of us liked it, but this is one time I’m glad she got a ton of pics. They’ll be put in a photo album, so we can look back on tonight. When it’s over”—I shrugged—“I want to remember everything.”

“So do I,” he said and took a step closer. The song had changed to a slow one. “Care for a dance, Princess?”

“Of course,” I said.

As we walked to the dance floor and began to sway, I closed my eyes, wanting to drink in every part of this moment.

“You know,” Rhys said, “it’s not going to be that easy.”

“What’s not?”

“Getting rid of me. I’ll still be around after Homecoming. You know that, right?”

“I do.” I smiled as I peeked up at him. “And I hope you know I’m not letting you go that easily, either.”

Rhys chuckled, but my face sunk into a frown.

“Not in a creepy way or anything,” I added. “Gah, that sounded weird. I didn’t mean I’d hold you against your will.”

“I know.” He pulled me closer, and my mouth snapped shut. “I got what you meant, Princess. My will is urging me to keep you as close as possible, too.”

We moved together, letting the song sink into our bones as we sank farther into each other.

“You really are a prince, Rhys,” I murmured. “In every sense of the word.”

“I’m actually a king now, but who cares about semantics.”

I laughed at that, settling my cheek against his chest.

“Princess,” he said quietly, “you know I kind of love you, right?”

A jolt of electricity ran through me, and I was sure Rhys could feel it. The pulse was so strong, I felt it from my forehead to my toes. His words were such a surprise.

“I kind of love you, too,” I said back.

Rhys tilted my chin up, and his smile was brilliant. As he kissed me, I knew, pictures or not, I would always remember this night. It was more than a prince kissing his princess. It was better than happily-ever-after.

It was real life. And I could not ask for more.