“Not enough.”
The song changes and the lights dim. “I can’t believe you did all this,” I say.
“This isn’t all. There’s more.”
After two hours of dancing, eating and drinking, Jake finally leads us out of the ballroom. We end up in one of the hotel suites. A huge “happy prom night” banner is hung on the window just like there was the first time.
“You know, we don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, Jazzy,” Jake says, a shy smile on his face.
“I’ve never done this before,” I tell him, the entire conversation from that night replaying in my head.
“Neither have I,” he says.
“I want you to be my first.”
“I want you to be my only,” he counters.
I smile and then start tearing at his clothes. I want him naked. I’m ready for the orgasm part. “Don’t forget… you made me come twice that night. I fully expect the same amount of orgasms.”
“I’ll double it,” Jake says.
And boy, does he.
I wake up to an empty bed and my heart sinks. That’s until I hear the clattering of a trolley being pushed into the room. “You’re awake.” Jake smiles.
“You’re still here,” I counter.
“Of course I am. I ordered you pancakes.” Picking up the plate covered by the silver dome, he waits for me to sit up on the bed and then places it on my lap.
I lift the lid and freeze. I look from the pancakes, to Jake, and then back to the pancakes. “Jake?”
“Jazzy, you are the love of my life. The only person I ever want to be around, probably the only one I like. You have always been my best friend and always will be. I want to spend the rest of our lives loving you the way you deserve to be loved. Will you marry me?” he asks.
“Yes.” I push the plate to the side and leap forward, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor. I land on top of him. “These are the best pancakes I’ve ever had.”
“You didn’t even eat them.” He smiles as his hands cup my face.
“I don’t need to. I can’t wait to be your wife, Jacob Westmead. I love you.”
“I love you, but I really want that ring on your finger.” He manages to stand while lifting me up with him. Then, sitting me on the edge of the bed, he pulls the ring out of the middle of the pancakes, sucks the syrup off, and slides it onto my finger.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell him.
“It was my mom’s,” he says. “I know she wanted you to have it on this finger.”
“I love it so much. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for marrying you, Jazzy. It’s not a hardship.” He laughs.
I stare at my finger. I’m engaged. I’m marrying Jacob Westmead. I don’t think I could be any happier, any more content than I am right now. That’s what I’m thanking him for. He has made my dreams come true.
“You really are my prince charming.” I lean forward and fuse my lips with his.
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
“I’m getting married today, Mama. I am so excited and nervous that I’m going to trip or something while walking down the aisle. But Daddy will be with me and I know he’d never let me fall.”