Turning to go back inside I hear a rumbling motor and then Manny pulls his piece of junk car into the drive.
What the hell is he doing here? Shouldn't he still be at prom??
He hops out of his car and comes over, smiling. "Hey. You alright?"
I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. What are you doing here? Where's Brandy?"
Manny winces. "Ah, she said her stomach hurt, so we left early and I took her home. I saw you and Ryan leave early too and I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
"Everything is fine. I just wasn't feeling real prom-like tonight I guess." I shuffle my heels against the concrete drive and then slip them off, holding them by the straps. “Ryan and me, that’s...well that’s happening.”
Mannie nods but thankfully he doesn’t laugh or ask why.
"Sorry about that. Jay Pat didn't give you a hard time, did they?"
I laugh and roll my eyes. "No, thank God. Though I didn't expect to see them there. I thought they were going to get kicked out or something for doing the website."
Manny rubs his chin and comes closer. He's taken his tie off and his white tux shirt is unbuttoned so I can see his tanned chest. "Yeah, well apparently Jason's dad had a shit fit and demanded he be allowed to stay in school and go to prom. They both got off with a slap on the wrist."
"Great." I suck my breath in and try to think of a way to save this shitty evening. Then I think about the pool. "Hey, do you wanna go swimming?"
Manny's eyebrows raise. "What? You wanna go swimming? Now?"
I grin at him and pull on his hand. "Yeah! Why not? Come on!"
He follows me around to the deck at the back of the house protesting all the way.
"I don't have a suit with me!"
I look at him over my shoulder as we mount the steps to the deck. It's quiet, the lights are off and I'm pretty sure Mom and Ethan have gone out for the night, as per usual.
"Well you have underwear on, right?" I give him a teasing smile.
Manny rocks back on his feet for a moment, thinking about my question. "Yes, I do."
I shrug. "Okay then, you have a suit!"
He holds up a hand. "What about your parents?"
"Not home." I can't keep the grin off my face as I reach back with both hands and try to unzip my dress. "Can you unzip me? I can't quite reach." I walk over to him and present my back.
Manny clears his throat and I feel him touching my zipper. "Okay. If that's what you want." He unzips my dress slowly and I shiver as his knuckles touch my bare skin.
"Of course, it's what I want." I turn around to face him. He's looking a little apprehensive under the soft deck lighting. "I can't go swimming in an $400 dress can I?"
"That dress cost four-hundred-" He shakes his head. "Never mind."
I giggle at his obvious discomfort and slowly pull the dress down and step out of it. Now I'm just standing there in my floofy crinolines and bra and panties.
Manny looks like he might take off running at any minute which I do not want to happen. So I scoot back over to him, my crinoline's rustling and reach up to remove his jacket.
"You better take these things off and lay them on the chair there. It is a rental after all."
Manny grabs my hands in both of his as I start to pull the jacket off.
"What are you doing?"
I hesitate at his narrowed eyes. "We're just going swimming. What's the big deal?"
"The big deal is I feel like this is much more than just taking a dip in your pool, Bishop." He pulls his jacket back on firmly. "Get your dress. You need to go inside and go to bed."
I want to scream. Can't I have any fun at all tonight?? I must look really pissed off because Manny smiles at me and pulls me closer.
"You need your rest," he tells me.
"I don't need my rest!" I snap. "I'm not an old lady!"
Manny laughs and takes my face between his palms, holding me still. "Shh, stop talking for a minute. I'm going to kiss you and that will have to hold you over for tonight."
Before I can protest, he lowers his lips to mine. I open my mouth and allow his tongue in, my own dancing with his as I kiss him back. Manny's lips and mouth continue to caress mine for several more moments and then he finally pulls back and lowers his hands.
"You're always kissing me," I whisper, staring at him.
"Yeah. I know." He gives me another grin. "So, you have any plans for tomorrow?"
I shake my head, trying to bring myself back to earth. "Um, no, I don't think so."
"Good. You wanna go to a party with me?"
I make a face. "Ugh, I don't know. I mean, I'd love to spend more time with you but I don't know if I'm up to a party and drinking and all that."
Manny chuckles. "No, it's not that kind of party. It's my grandpa's birthday. My family is throwing a party for him. I thought you might want to come. It's a fun time. Totally rated G."
"That...sounds great actually!" And I mean it. A nice family party feels like just what I need right now.
"Cool. I'll pick you at two, if that's okay?"
"Sure. I can't wait!" I smile and suddenly feel shy. I'm not used to Manny being nice to me. Or kissing me. Or looking at me the way he is now.
He reaches up and cups the side of my face with his hand. I like the feel of the callouses and rough skin of
