Page 105 of Lightning Angel

The intercom buzzed again. Her heart escalated. This time, she was sure it was him. Grabbing the boutonniere she bought for him and closing the balcony door, she hurried out of the room. As she paused at the top of the stairs to take a deep breath, Cassie’s voice floated up to her.

“Alexa, Tristan is here!”

“I’m coming!” she called back, still breathless. She took another deep breath to calm the rapid beat of her heart and walked down the stairs as elegantly as she could, like the female leads in her movies and books. When the foyer came into view, all the breath left her lungs in awhoosh.

Tristan stood at the foot of the stairs, wearing a black tuxedo with a sleek black shirt underneath it, unbuttoned at the collar. Of course, he wouldn’t be Tristan if his attire wasn’t black. His hair was in its perfect hero-hairstyle as always, and in his hand, he held her corsage.

The world around her faded as her gaze locked onto his electric-blue eyes. The way he looked at her made Alexa forget everything else—time, worries, and insecurities. The admiration in his eyes made her feel like her life was suddenly a fairytale, making her feel more beautiful than she already felt she was.

As if, she was the protagonist in her own storybook.

Her favorite crooked grin rose on his lips, and Alexa smiled back. She gripped the banister for support and climbed down to him.

“May I?” She held up the boutonniere as she stopped in front of him. At Tristan’s wordless nod, she pinned it to his coat, just above where the pocket would be. “There.”

Tristan grabbed her wrist gently and held up the corsage in the other, his eyebrow raising as he sought permission in return. “May I?”

Alexa nodded wordlessly like he had, and he wrapped the navy-blue corsage around her wrist. When he was done, he cradled her hand in both of his and met her eyes with a smile before turning to Cassie and John.

Cassie and John. Alexa flushed as she realized they were there, witnessing the exchanges between them.

John chuckled and whistled. “Goodness, Lexi, I can hardly remember the last time I saw you blush.” He tapped his thin, pretending to think. “Have I ever seen you blush though?”

Cassie nudged him on the ribs. “Oh, hush,” she admonished him playfully.

John chuckled again, and then his face grew sincere. “You look lovely, Lex. Can I have a hug?”

Alexa melted, like she always did at his big-brother persona, and left Tristan’s side to him. John wrapped his arms around her loosely, unlike his squeezing bear hugs, like he feared wrinkling her dress or messing her hair.

“Have a great night, little bug.”

She smiled against his shirt at the old endearment. “Thank you, Jonny.”

He winced at the nickname, and she gave him a squeeze, pulling back to look at him, her eyes laughing.

He merely flashed a grin and looked over her head at Tristan. His expression turned somber and sincere again. “Take care of her.” It was an order.

Alexa turned to look at Tristan as he lifted his chin and said, “With my life.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Cassie said and pulled Alexa into her arms. “Enjoy your night you two.” She released her and smiled.

“Likewise.” Alexa winked at her sister and stepped back to Tristan’s side, looping her arm through his. “Shall we leave?”

“Of course.”

This night is going to sparkle,she told herself as they walked out.

* * *

Alexa accepted Tristan’s arm as she stepped out of his car in the parking lot. The soft glow of the prom venue illuminated the surroundings, and the distant sounds of laughter and music floated to them from the building where the celebration was taking place.

Tristan led her through the red carpet that stretched toward the grand entrance adorned with twinkling fairy lights. Inside, the spacious hall was adorned with decorations in the school colors, with chairs and tables arranged around the room and a polished dance floor in the middle where the couples twirled.

Alexa spotted Daphne in her black gown, dancing with her date. She waved as Daphne turned and saw her.Her best friend brightened and waved back. The motion grabbed her date’s attention and he followed her gaze, smiling friendly at Alexa and then looking at Tristan from head to toe.

She turned to Tristan. “I think you’re going to be in the spotlight tonight.”

He winked and leaned over to speak over the music. “I don’t mind as long as you’re standing next to me.”