Happy Ever After

Chapter 10

The butterflies just wouldn't go away. Alana pressed a hand to her stomach to quiet them and slapped on a smile in case someone was looking. She was fifteen and it was Christmas, the most magical time of the year. Matthew Delaney said he would drop by Mimi's annual Christmas party. Alana had known Matt forever, ever since he'd hit her head with a stick. It was an accident of course. Wrong place, wrong time. For some reason he was always hitting her by accident. His family stayed in the Hamptons most of the year and he went to the Briarwood Academy, same as her. Although, he was a couple of years ahead of her and had always treated her as a kid sister.

This time though Alana was determined to make him see her as a woman. She'd started to develop some curves – finally – and Mimi was letting her wear actual makeup and not just lip-gloss. She was wearing a deep burgundy color dress that Carrie, her bestest friend in the world, agreed brought out the creaminess of her skin, and had sprinted some of Mimi's perfume. Not too much in case Mimi caught wind of it, but just enough to drive Matt Delaney crazy with desire. She also knew that the muted lighting Mimi had insisted on created interesting shadows on her face and her cleavage. Just to be sure she'd taken some pictures with her new digital camera.

If only he'd get here. The party had been going strong for two hours and Matt had still to make an appearance. His mother had come and gone. So, where was he?

"Alana, are you alright?" Alana looked up when one of Mimi's friends stopped near the window seat, she was waiting for Matt. It provided the perfect place to watch the drive outside so she would know when he came in. Alana nodded and made small talk all the while wishing Mimi's friend would go away so that she could continue her vigil.

Ten minutes later someone else had joined them and the conversation continued around her. She couldn't find a way to extricate herself from the group without causing offence. Alana sighed and wished she'd thought to bring some cider with her. She was getting thirsty. Maybe she could use that as an excuse to move away. She was about to do that when her heart skipped and then started beating faster.

When she looked up, Matthew was standing in the arch of the doorway looking across the room at her. His eyes whispered, "Have we met?" and then she watched as recognition came along with the slow smile that melted her insides.

He looked like a modern Prince Charming. He was wearing a suit that made his shoulders look broad and his hair was tamed for once. Personally, Alana found the stubby ponytail he typically wore very sexy. Last summer she'd come across him on his boat in the marina, his hair flying in the wind, a half-open shirt fluttering and muscles bulging while he adjusted the ropes. Her heart had skipped a beat and then started pounding so loud she was sure everyone could hear. Suddenly, he'd looked up and waved when he saw her. She'd run then, all the way home, locking herself in her room to replay every second. She'd tried to act cool whenever she saw him after that, but her heart had skipped every time. To her he was Heathcliffe, Mr. Darcy, and Jack Sparrow all rolled into one.

Mimi's friends moved on as someone called them from the other side of the room. Alana found herself standing alone under the chandelier as he slowly walked across the room towards her. The conversations in the rooms faded away and the air was silent but for the beating of her heart. The butterflies disappeared and she stood taller as he stopped in front of her.

"Hello, Alana." His voice was just a little gruff as he whispered her name.

After, she couldn't remember what they had talked about. All she remembered were the quick remarks and playful teasing, inconsequential things, but his eyes had never left hers. Wonderstruck, she was positive she blushed whenever he spoke. He stayed by her side all evening, keeping her hand in his. She wondered if he knew she was enchanted by him, her young heart so in love she was surprised she hadn't burst into song. Not that she could sing to save her life, but that's what happened in the movies.