“What was that all about?” Henri asked as they broke apart, he looked skeptically at Flynn who offered no reason behind his weird disposition.
Flynn blew him off. “Nothing. Just make some memories you old stud you.” He slapped his back and left Henri to it.
“I left a blanket by the tree.” Henri told her as they walked down the hill to the water below. A moth swooped past his face as they hurried to their secret place.
Maven squeezed his hand. “Did you have a good time?”
“Of course.”
“Promise?” She looked at him, hoping he was being honest because for her it was the best time she had ever had at the Hop.
Henri shook his head, tracing a finger across his chest as a form of a promise.
Maven gasped, bringing her hands to her face in shock at the sight in front of her. “Henri!”
Henri was shocked himself. “Flynn.” He said under his breath. All along the grass were candles in protective glass lanterns. A radio sat nestled in the grass playing soft music. Maven dropped to her knees.
“This is beautiful.” She kissed his cheek. “Henri this is amazing.” She looked back and forth between the candles to the picnic basket. Flynn had snuck away without a word and set the entire thing up. Henri had no idea, but it meant a lot, and it answered the question of why Flynn was acting so odd.
He opened the picnic basket. “Water or soda?”
“Water,” Maven said, accepting the bottle.
He took a swig of his own and then set it down next to him. It was time to tell her why the night meant so much to him. He took her hand, she scooted closer. Searching his eyes, she suddenly felt nervous. She laid down, staring through the willows at the star lit sky. Henri laid down beside her, their hands blindly finding one another all over again.
“I have something to tell you.” Her grip tightened on his. He wondered if she was thinking the worst.
Maven squeezed her eyes shut. She knew it, he was about to tell her that he had gotten worse. She held her breath—waiting.
Henri turned over, stroking her hair. It was now or never. “What would you say if I told you they found a way to fix me?”
Maven sat up. She was confused, his words didn’t make sense. So she just looked at him.
Henri stayed where he was taking in the stars. “I found out yesterday that they think they can fix me. Your mother told us all about it at my last appointment. Tomorrow morning I will be admitted to start the procedure.”
Maven smiled and then burst into tears. Henri sat up, wrapping his arms around her. “Isn’t this good news?”
She nodded. “It’s the best news I have ever heard. I was just so afraid you were going to tell me something awful. This is great, Henri. How do you feel?” She touched his face. “Are you okay? Scared? Nervous?”
Henri was all of that and then some. “I’m happy to try. What more can I say?” He had plenty more to say, but he didn’t want to seem weak to the one person that meant so much to him.
“That’s the best news. I am so happy for you.” She smiled, wiping at her eyes. She giggled, feeling silly for crying. “I shouldn’t be crying. We should be celebrating.” She closed her eyes at Henri’s kiss.
He carefully maneuvered the two of them down onto the blanket. His fingers tangling with her hair, he pressed his mouth against hers more adamantly than any time before. Maven pulled him closer, her hands running down his back. She lifted her head, giving Henri access to her neck.
Henri pulled away, staring down at her, the moonlight made her look like she had a golden aura all around her. “I want you to know that I really like you. And I really care about you. This summer has meant a lot to me.”
She pulled him close, softly kissing him. “I really like you too, Henri.” She kissed him again.
“I might be falling for you.” He admitted, smiling sheepishly, breaking the intense moment up. “And I’m not saying that because we are here right now. I just wanted to say it out loud.”
He kissed her again. Maven couldn’t have dreamt a better moment.
“Well I hate to disappoint you, Henri. But I have already fallen for you.” She giggled as Henri tickled her for joking with him.
“Swear it?” He said, raising an eyebrow. “You have fallen for me? Henri Levitt?” His expression grew serious. He ran a hand up her leg, watching her face at his forward touch. Finally it didn’t feel wrong or too soon. It felt right. She smiled, nodding her head without a sound.
His hands created a thousand welcomed goose bumps up and down her leg. She tugged his bowtie loose, working on the buttons of his shirt. Henri kissed her neck, his hand journeying up the length of her body. He enjoyed the feel of her skin, the scent of her perfume, and the warmth of her skin.
***
Jake Summit was dressed in a bright red v-neck t-shirt and black dress slacks. He ignored his friends as they talked about pointless things. He was only fixated on one thing—why Flynn was running around with all those candles earlier. And why Henri and Maven had taken off so fast.
“Did anyone see Maven?” He asked his buddies. Everyone fell silent. “I take that as a no.”
Arnold Jones—Jake’s long-time friend—elbowed him. “Drink, loosen up and forget about girls for one night.” He handed over a small flask of liquor. They were all wasted as it was, but whatever it took to get Jake back in the moment and away from whining about Maven Wilder all night.
They all had heard the story of Maven too many times to count. How she all but made him a fool the day she refused to take him back. And how he suddenly realized after running around with Tatiana that Maven was the girl he wanted. Everyone knew Jake only wanted what he couldn’t have. Girls were a game to him. And he was the type of guy who thought they all should worship the ground he walked on.
***
Flynn wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Tori pulled him from the dance floor. They found the punchbowl. But as Tori filled two solo cups with punch, she noticed Flynn watching a group of boys across the way.
“Who are they?” She kissed his cheek offering him the drink. “And why are you staring at them like that?”
Flynn took a sip of the watered down punch, his eyes not leaving Jake Summit and his buddies. “I just don’t like that kid.”
“Who cares about some teenagers with James Dean hair? What’s it to you?” Tori asked, growing annoyed with Flynn’s interest in the young guy and his friends. She was beginning to think her trip was a waste of time.
“It’s nothing. You want to dance?” He forced a smile, sitting his drink on the table. But Tori crossed her arms in her usual sulk.
“I just want to go back to the house.” She raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to tell her no.
Flynn ran a hand down the back of his neck. He winced at the idea of saying no to her. “I kind of told Henri we would stick around.” He hoped she would have a heart for once.
“Henri is a big boy. Besides he’s probably off doing things that don’t involve his cousin sticking around for. When he is ready to come home he will.” She yanked him by the collar through the crowd.
***
Maven exhaled, staring at Henri. The radio playing softly in the background, the candles had gone out and now the only light remaining was the moonlight right above them.
Henri smoothed her messy hair. “You have bed head. Or is it more blanket head?”
Maven laughed. “So do you.” She touched his hair, running her fingertips through it. Henri watched her focus on his hair, a smile hanging around after the moment they had together.
He didn’t want to move. Or think about anything else but her. He wanted to stay under the stars and the willow, to listen to the water and the music and Maven’s voice forever. That was how amazing he felt. It had been years since he was close enough to anyone to want to sleep with them. The idea of sex just slipped his mind. It wasn’t important. Nothing was important anymore. But then came Maven, and with her she brought hope back into his life. He had something to look forward to. Someone to laugh with, someone who made his days seem meaningful, he wasn’t moving through life trying to survive until the next any longer.