For Him, I Would

Chapter Twenty-Four - I love you.

Oakley felt ridiculous pulling up to the reservation in her dress and heels. She could count on one hand the number of times she had ever been this fancy. Earlier, the woman Beth hired had pulled half of Oakley's hair up in a sweeping look with her other half gently curled down to her mid-back. Her makeup was soft, except for a smokey eye and red lips. Her freckles were barely noticeable against her cheeks. The green dress hung perfectly against her hips and chest, wide straps going over her shoulders, crossing low along her back. Her skin still held some of the sun she gathered during the summer months, standing out against the deep emerald color, especially the slit along her leg. Black, strappy heels covered her feet, and she was curious if she would still be shorter than Kayce with them on but didn't care too much.

As she pulled up to the trailer, she saw the front door already open and Tate watching. He looked adorable in his black suit; Monica had probably gelled his hair down so it wouldn't move. He bounded towards the truck and Oakley saw his mother take his place at the door. Oakley waved but Monica just watched Tate get in before shutting the door.

"Hey Oaks," Tate smiled.

"Hi buddy," Oakley smiled. "You're looking sharp."

"Wow," Tate looked at Oakley who laughed out loud.

"Tate, you're supposed to say a woman looks lovely," Oakley pressed the gas. "But thank you."

The drive to the reception was uneventful and when Oakley pulled into the parking spot there were already a number of cars there.

"Where do you think Dad is?" Tate asked once they got out. Oakley pulled her long, black coat around her shoulders as she wrapped her arm around Tate's shoulders.

"No idea," Oakley pushed them faster to get out of the cold. "Let's go look."

Once inside a man at the door took Oakley's coat. She fluffed her hair for a moment before turning to Tate.

"Do I look okay?" She asked him.

"You look lovely," Tate smiled.

Oakley held out her elbow for Tate to loop his arm through. "You'll be my date tonight, right?"

"Can I try champagne?" Tate asked.

"Honestly," Oakley took a quick glance around the room and saw many fancy dresses and suits. "I just might let you if you promise not to leave me."

Her eyes traced along the outer wall of the room before stopping on Kayce. He was in the back corner, talking to his dad and a few other men she couldn't see due to their backs facing her. But she really didn't see a reason to look anywhere else but at Kayce.

He had on a black suit jacket, a black button-down tucked into a nice pair of black jeans, and black boots. He didn't have a tie on, and the top three buttons were undone on his shirt, making him look even younger than the men around him. But he looked good. In fact, Oakley would say she's never seen him look better than this moment.

"You gonna look at my dad all night or are we gonna go say hi?" Tate nudged her side.

"No champagne now for you," Oakley raised an eyebrow as she started walking. Tate giggled under his breath as they made their way through the growing crowd. By the time they got to the other side, more people had started to come up to Kayce, but John turned around and saw Oakley and Tate.

"You look very nice, Oakley," John leaned in and kissed Oakley's cheek. "Grandson, you clean up nice as well."

"You're supposed to say she looks lovely, Grandpa," Tate smiled up at you.

"Beautiful works too," Oakley flicked Tate's cheek. "Go grab a snack before they disappear."

Tate ran off to one of the tables of food while Oakley leaned closer to John.