Page 98 of Save You

“You look like one,” James replies, caressing her cheek, then bending to give her a gentle kiss.

“I still don’t know if I should find that sweet or disgusting,” Ember murmurs beside me.

“It’s sweet,” I say, almost without thinking about it.“It’s so much better than seeing the pair of them being miserable.”

Ruby

When we were watching the fifteen artificial trees being set up in Boyd Hall yesterday afternoon, I thought we’d made a huge mistake.By daylight, it looked weird, too big, anything but atmospheric.But as I look around now, I breathe a sigh of relief.

The soft light of the lanterns and candles, the scattered petals in blues and lilacs, and the gentle classical music being played by the school orchestra are creating a fairy-tale atmosphere, and the guests in their florals and pastels clearly feel at ease.

“Ruby, this looks amazing.”Lydia sighs beside me.

“It’s really beautiful,” Ember agrees.

She points to the wooden swing hanging from one of the trees.The photographer is standing beside it, ready to take a photo of the couple who are getting themselves into position.The girl holds on to the flower-entwined ropes, and her boyfriend stands behind her with his hands on top of hers.It’s dreamily romantic.

“We all have to get a photo taken together later on,” Lydia says.

“Didn’t I say it would be worth coming?”I ask before I start automatically looking around for Lin.I need to ask her if she’s spoken to the caterer and checked the buffet.But before I can go to look for her, James lays his hand gently on my back.

I look inquiringly up at him.

“I know exactly what you want to do right now.But your shift doesn’t start for”—he glances at his watch—“another hour.”

“Did you check?”I ask in amusement.

He nods.“So now you belong to me and not to the canapés, Ruby Bell.”

The next moment, he pulls me away from Lydia and Ember.I just about manage to glance back at them before I have to face the way I’m going to avoid stepping on my dress.At first I think James is leading me to the bar, but then he does a detour in the direction of the swing.Another couple has just struck a pose, and we wait a few paces behind the photographer.

I grin up at James.“Seriously?I remember the days when you were bored to death by our parties,” I remark.“And now you want a couple-y photo as a souvenir?”

“You know why they bored me,” I hear James say, right into my ear.I get goose bumps.

“You weren’t bored, really,” I say.“Admit it.It was all a façade and you were actually seriously impressed by the DJ at the Back-to-School party and just jealous that you hadn’t booked him for one of your own house parties.”

James snorts.“Exactly.”

Suddenly, he leans in and runs his lips down my cheek and jaw.I shiver as he presses a kiss on the spot behind my ear.

“You really do look beautiful,” he murmurs, and I feel his warm breath on my skin.The goose bumps spread over my whole body, and I’m about to open my mouth to return the compliment when the photographer’s voice makes me jump.

“Next,” he calls out, sounding bored.When he sees me in the queue, he raises an eyebrow.“Oh, hello, Ruby.”

Mr.Foster and I have known each other as long as I’ve been doing events stuff at Maxton Hall.He does all the official event photography for the school website and blog, and the newsletter that Lexington sends out once a month.He’s a pro, and I’m all the more impressed that he’s prepared to spend the evening taking these Polaroid swing photos.

“Evening, Mr.Foster,” I say.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity to photograph you before,” he muses aloud, pointing to the swing.“Have a seat.”

“Thanks,” I mumble, sitting down as James comes to stand behind me, one hand on the rope and the other on my back.Even through my dress, I can feel his warmth.My body tingles again, and I wonder if this feeling of excitement at being close to him will ever fade.I hope not.

“Smile!”says the photographer, but there’s no need—I can’t help myself.

We’re given the Polaroid snap and James shakes it dry before we look at it.

“That’s so cheesy!”