“Because she’s been staring at my brother all night herself. And if you look over there, I think the way they’re acting will answer your question.”
Erin looked over and noticed Shay and Adam were both smiling and laughing. Could it be that… No, that wasn’t possible—was it?
Erin was so deeply confused she was surprised when she realized how much she was enjoying the dance. The song was coming to an end when he said, “I was looking at you because you are so beautiful to me it takes my breath away, Erin.” Before he let her go, he moved very close to her and said, “I know you like it when I look at you and I intend to keep looking.” He then moved his face even closer and gently kissed Erin on the neck which would have appeared to anyone casually looking as a polite kiss on the cheek. That briefest of kisses sent shock waves through her body. She was so stunned that when he let go of her hand she just stood there and watched him walk away.
When they got home around 2am, Erin said, “Shay, honey? Is there anything we need to talk about?” She’d been in such a good mood since she and Adam danced together she was hoping the ‘incident’ with Cameron was over, but she needed to make sure.
“No, I don’t think so. Why? Did Cameron say something to you?”
“He might have mentioned a misunderstanding of some kind.”
“I didn’t think he would say anything,” Shay replied quietly. She waited for a moment then told her mother, “You know, Adam helped put things in perspective for me and after that, it was fine. Oh, and I did meant to say thanks for suggesting that we, you know, switch partners. It was really helpful, Mom. And…kind of nice.”
Erin was still so shaken from the kiss she wasn’t sure what else, if anything, she should say. She finally told Shay, “Well, I’m glad to hear that, honey. I was just concerned whatever happened with you and Cameron might have ruined Homecoming for you. And between you and me, I think you should have been Homecoming Queen.”
“Hah! Fat chance with Little Miss I’m-So-Perfect, Lindsay Grimes in the mix,” she said with sarcasm dripping from her words.
“You know what, honey? For Lindsay, tonight is the high point of her life. She doesn’t have your smarts or your common sense. So let her have her day. You’ll have a lifetime of happiness and success, but Lindsay’s best days are behind her. Her only real hope of success is to marry a rich doctor or maybe a senator.”
Shay laughed and said, “I love you, Mom. You always know just what to say.” She started to head upstairs then stopped and said over her shoulder, “You know, I really can’t blame Cameron—for staring. I mean, you really are the most beautiful woman I know.”
Shay’s comment took her so aback she could only say, “Staring? Oh, yes. Right. Um, well, thank you, sweetheart. That was…very kind of you to say.”
As she went to get ready for bed herself her mind was a jumble of feelings and emotions. She was too exhausted to think about it anymore until she had a few good hours of much-needed sleep, but she knew there was something very real about what had happened that wasn’t going to go away on its own.