“Emma, I’m glad you are finally admitting your feelings for Garrett.”
I stopped smiling. “What? How did you know I was talking about Garrett?”
Michael shook his head and grinned. “It’s hard not to notice. Anytime he is near, you can’t keep your eyes off of him, and the same goes for him. I know you only went out with me to hide from your feelings.”
I nodded my head. “Well, starting right now, I’m not hiding anymore.”
Michael laughed. “Me either.”
I giggled. “Then, get in there and go ask a girl to dance!”
He grabbed me and quickly hugged me. When we stepped back from each other, I glanced toward the door and saw Garrett standing there. My smile faded when I saw the hurt on his face. I guessed that Michael must have seen Garrett, too, as I noticed how he’d tensed up.
“Garrett, it’s not what you think,” I said.
Garrett gave us a weak smile and turned to walk back into the gym.
“Let me go talk to him,” Michael said.
I grabbed his arm. “No, I need to be the one to talk to him. Thank you though.”
I ran up the steps and made my way into the gym. I looked around until I found Garrett. He was leaning against the wall, trying to look like he was listening to Wayne talking about something. I took a deep breath as I walked right up to him.
I smiled. “Garrett…”
He smiled, and my heart melted. Only he could make me feel this way. It would always be only Garrett. My parents would probably tell me I was crazy and that I needed to live my life before making such a decision, but in this very moment, I knew that Garrett Mathews was the only man I’d ever love, and I was done fighting it.
“Hi, Emma.”
“Will you dance with me?” I bit down on my lower lip and looked up at him through my eyelashes.
My mother always told me that I had the most beautiful long lashes, and if used properly, I would be able to get any man to do anything I wanted.
He nodded his head and took my hand before leading me out to the dance floor. When he gently brought me into his arms, I felt like I was finally home. “Only You” by The Platters began playing, and I looked up into Garrett’s eyes. The way he was looking at me caused me to hold my breath. It felt like a million butterflies were flying around in my stomach, and all I wanted was for him to kiss me. I quickly looked around to see who was watching us. I looked back up into his eyes, and he started laughing.
“You must be thinking the same thing I am, Buttercup,” he said as he winked.
Every hair on my body stood up. I gave him a slight smile. “And what exactly are you thinking of, Mr. Mathews?”
“I wish you weren’t dating Michael because I’d really love to kiss you right now.”
My smile dropped, and I felt my eyes beginning to water. I licked my lips. “I’m not dating him. I told Michael that I had feelings for someone else, and he told me the same thing.”
The look on Garrett’s face was one I knew I would never forget for as long as I live. It almost appeared to be relief. As the song was beginning to end, Garrett looked down at my lips. I had never wanted something so badly in my entire life. I was practically willing him to kiss me. He began to lean down, but then someone started calling out his name.
“Garrett! Garrett, you have to come right away!”
We both instantly jumped back from each other. Garrett smiled that crooked smile, and I about dropped to the floor. I put my hand on my stomach to settle my nerves.
Garrett and I both turned and looked at the older gentleman running toward us. Billy, Wayne, and Raymond were running behind him.
“Uncle Pete? What’s wrong?” Garrett said.
The older gentleman was attempting to catch his breath. “You’ve got to get to Dr. Birk’s house. Your dad…he was holding his chest…fell…I drove here as fast as I could.”
Garrett just looked at his uncle. “What?”
Billy walked up and quickly glanced at me before looking at Garrett. “Garrett, you need to get over to Emma’s house. Uncle Pete took your dad there. Something is wrong. Um…your dad passed out while he and Pete were trying to shoe a horse.”