Return to Me (Blue Harbor Book 5) Olivia Miles (ereader android .TXT) 📖

“Very serious. Looks like I’ve got a date to the prom. Again.” He just grinned and walked back inside the barn, leaving her to stand outside and stare up at the night sky, and wonder if she would ever be free of this man.

Or if she really wanted to be.

13

On the following Saturday afternoon, Brooke stared into the contents of her closet and for the tenth time talked herself out of asking Gabby to stop by. Ironic, she knew, to be seeking fashion advice when she was the one who designed dresses for a living. But what did you wear to a school prom with your ex-husband? What did you wear to a school prom at her age? Gabby had been right when she’d pointed out that Brooke often overdressed for life in Blue Harbor.

That she’d forgotten the ways. That maybe, she no longer fit in.

Eventually, Brooke decided on a black shift dress, knowing that she could never regret a classic. She paired it with strappy gold sandals with a kitten heel, and a chunky gold necklace, lest she look too prim. Her hair she swept back with a clip, and for makeup, she kept it minimal. They were technically chaperones, after all. This wasn’t a date, no matter what Kyle insisted on calling it.

Still, she felt a flutter of anticipation at the thought of spending another evening with him. She’d kept busy all week, managed not to give tonight too much thought, but now there was no denying the fact that she was going back to the very high school where she and Kyle had first fallen in love, where he’d be waiting for her.

She set a hand to her stomach as it tightened at that thought, and grabbed a beaded gold clutch before heading out the door.

The school was close enough to walk to, even in the shoes, and despite the threat of blisters, she hurried her pace, not that she was in any rush. She swept her eyes up and down Main Street, knowing that her sisters and cousins and probably everyone else in town would find out about how she was spending her evening before this time tomorrow, but by then it would be over and done with. And right now, she didn’t want to explain why she was dressed for a night out, and not a night at the Carriage House Inn Pub or dinner at the café, or even the Yacht Club. No, she was dressed for a special event.

And this was starting to feel like a special event, not just because it was the school prom.

Her sister Gabby would appreciate it, though. She’d been on the prom planning committee, even if she’d never gone to the dance, other than to set it up. Brooke had, of course, though. Had the pictures to prove it, somewhere. Beside her, giggling girls who looked so much younger than she had ever been scurried excitedly along the sidewalk, wobbling in their heels, leaving a waft of perfume in their wake. The outside of the school was decorated with balloons and signs and…flowers.

Brooke gulped and stopped walking, realizing with a beating heart that of course there would be flowers. This was the school prom! And who else would be in charge of the centerpieces other than…

“Gabby!” She called out to her sister as she appeared in the open doorway, wearing jeans and a tee-shirt and balancing a large floral arrangement by its glass vase.

Gabby followed the sound and her gaze landed on Brooke in confusion. “Brooke?” She raked a look over Brooke’s attire. “What are you doing here?”

“I was asked to help chaperone,” Brooke said as she neared. She felt suddenly self-conscious of her attire until she realized that Gabby was part of the setup committee, and would be leaving before the event kicked off. “I should have known that you’d be part of this.”

“You know how much I love to plan a good prom.” Gabby laughed and then gave a little sigh. It was still a sore spot that no one had ever asked her to the biggest high school event of the spring. “Britt roped you in, huh?”

Gabby didn’t wait for an answer, and Brooke took the time to peek inside the open doors to see her cousin giving instructions to a group of students, who were already dressed for the event and probably eager to get on with the fun.

“Well, I’d ask you to give me a hand with these arrangements, but I’d hate for you to get your dress dirty.” Gabby brushed a wisp of hair from her face and then pointed at Brooke’s dress. “By the way, I’m borrowing that if I’m ever asked out on a date.”

Brooke grinned. “Deal. And I’m happy to help. This is a very forgiving fabric.”

“If you’re sure,” Gabby said, but she wasted no time in marching to her delivery van and handing Brooke one of the remaining arrangements.

Brooke tucked her beaded clutch under her arm so she could manage the vase without spilling any of the water. It was a cheerful arrangement, made of bright purple flowers with a touch of pink mixed in.

“It’s weird being back here, isn’t it?” Gabby asked as they walked into the school and down the corridor that had once been so familiar and still bore the same scent of cleaning detergent and…well, probably sweat.

“It’s certainly a blast from the past,” Brooke commented, as they passed by the fine arts studio where she’d spent many happy afternoons, and came to a stop outside the gymnasium doors.

“Speaking of a blast from the past.” Gabby nudged her chin. “Look who’s here.”

Brooke’s pulse skipped as she looked across the gymnasium, which had been converted to a spring forest, with trees, and fairy lights, and bunches of big, bright bouquets on the