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Now, ader, I couldn’t believe how ed I loved the school I orking at Things had ether after all

"Ready?" Justin asked, pulling me back to the present

"Absolutely I can’t wait to see everyone"

"Do you have yourthe door behind us

"Yep, it’s packed inbehind hi up our bags

"I told you a hundred ti it You are a brilliant artist Of course she is going to love it"

"Well, brilliant h," he replied

"There’s the ego I know and love"

The five-hour plane ride passed quicker than I expected, and before I knew it, ere driving past the Welcouided Justin down Main Street to Mom’s house She had insisted we stay with her while ere in town I conceded graciously, since our relationship had changed so ht the trip to Seattle for Melissa and Rob’s engageed so ardening e pulled into the driveway I cli, surprised at how happy I was to see her Justin stepped in to give her a hearty hug when I was done They had met at Christmas when she decided to fly to Seattle to see us For weeks before her visit, I had stressed over spending the holidays with her and Justin’s faether, but all my fears were silly She took to his fa her outside Woodfalls, I realized I had always viewed her too harshly She was just overly friendly with everyone She liked to knoas going on That was my mom

"Brittni, honey, you look lovely," she said warsternly at Justin

"Yes,at her His wink had the same effect on her as it did every other woled

"How is everyone?" I asked, knowing I’d get a full report Justin smiled atI had missed For once, I didn’t mind it at all It felt like hoe and leave for the Annual Woodfalls Spring Fling Every spring, the residents of Woodfalls would gather for a nighttime dance under the stars to celebrate the end of winter Sometimes Mother Nature would throw aa late-season snowfall, but this year she had graced us with aintohim as he stood before me dressed in slacks and a short-sleeve button-up shirt His tattoos were visible down his arot about our plans and considered spending the evening wrapped in those ar hed with pleasure as his lips trailed acrossanother kiss oned without hesitation I pressed closer, feeling intoxicated fro

"You’re such a tease," I complained

"You’d be mad if you missed this," he pointed out

Mom rode with us to the dance We chatted the entire tiive Justin directions to Jessup Park where the Spring Fling was being held As he pulled into the gravel parking lot, I gasped in delight at the fairy-tale sight before our eyes Many of the trees along the lake had been wrapped with thousands of twinkling lights, while white Japanese lanterns hung froently in the breeze A large dance floor had been placed near the lake with dozens of tables and chairs scattered about The residents of Woodfalls had gone all out

"Brittni," a loud voice booreetmy arms around her "Tressa, this is my fiancé, Justin Justin, this is my best friend, Tressa"