Page 317 of Tell Me I'm Enough

In a matter of seconds, it’s like the lawn is transformed into a show and I am the idiot standing center stage.

Girls start pouring out onto the porch, and the house erupts into screams, laughter, and catcalls—making it a whole big thing now.

“OH MY GOSH!”

“IS THAT MASON?”

“SIMONE! GET DOWN HERE!”

I rub the back of my neck, still cheesing.

So much for subtle.

I turn the volume down slightly—still loud enough to hear, but not so loud that all of Greek Row needs to be involved.

It’s too late, though.

Next door at the Sig house, someone steps out onto the porch with a drink in hand. The guy squints at me, and his face breaks into a huge grin.

He cups his hands around his mouth and yells back into the house. “Ayooo!”

Another guy appears. Then three more.

They all start yelling and whistling over at us, being ridiculous.

“LET’S GO, MASON!”

“YOU’RE SO CUTE!”

“THAT GAMMA GIRL GOT YOU WHIPPED!”

I flip them off without looking, a grin still sitting on my face despite my now embarrassment, and they cheer louder, like I just gave them exactly what they wanted.

The Gamma front door bursts back open. And there she is. Simone runs out the front door like she can’t get to me fast enough. She’s so adorable.

The music is still playing, and the lights from the house make it look like she’s glowing. And I swear—hand to God—it feels like everything I’ve ever done wrong is being forgiven in real time just because I get to have her here with me.

When she’s close enough, I turn the speaker down again so we can actually hear each other.

Her voice comes out a little breathless once she’s stopped in front of me. “Mason.”

My name on her tongue is still my favorite sound.

“Simone.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “You’re insane.”

“For you. Always for you.”

I take a step forward, closing the distance between us, and grab hold of her hands, squeezing them. “Would you, Simone Edwards—girlfriend to the lucky guy on the planet—please be my official date…to the winter formal?”

Everyone starts screaming.

“YES! SAY YES!”

Simone turns around, half mortified.

“Shut up!” she yells, but she’s laughing so hard her voice cracks a little. She turns back to face me, smiling. “Yes. Of course I’ll go with your cheesy ass.”