Henri nodded. “If you look to the left you will see my cousin. He is responsible for the song choice.” Henri guided Maven in the direction of Flynn. Flynn waved.

Days after knowing Henri, he told her about the song. How it spoke to him. How for weeks on end, he played it on repeat. It meant a lot to him, more than she understood she was sure. And because it meant so much to Henri it meant a lot to her too.

“Good choice,” Maven said, Henri dipped her once more and as soon as she gained her footing he raised her hand, twirling her in a circle. The night and the lights made her more adorable than she already was to him as he stared into her eyes.

“I’m glad we’re here together,” he said in her ear, holding her close. He was tired and a little too hot, but being part of the night, being with Maven, it kept him going.

Flynn watched Henri and Maven dancing the night away, a big grin on his face. It was great to see Henri enjoy himself for once.

Tori, his girlfriend, elbowed him in the side. She hoped he didn’t think she hadn’t noticed his sudden disappearing act. “Where did you run off to? I was standing with the old people. I looked like an idiot, Flynn.”

Flynn took Tori’s hand. “Don’t be mad at me. I was doing good things.”

Tori sighed. “What kind of good things?” But she was only met with a child-like smirk.

Flynn pushed through the crowd. Tori coming up the rear, he was hot and growing a bit concerned that the high temperature and all the dancing was going to take its toll on Henri.

“Henri, my man,” Flynn said once he located him in the crowd.

Henri and Maven slowed their dancing. “What’s up?”  Maven’s golden hair stuck to the side of her face, her cheeks flushed with color. Henri was just as flushed, but more spent than any of them.

“Have you had your fill of the Hop?” Flynn asked, touching Henri’s forehead. His eyes filled with concern. “You’re tired. You got to know when to quit. Maven knows when to quit.” He shot a look at Maven giving her the opening to bail Henri out of his commitment of dancing the night away.

“Of course.” Maven’s eyes were filled with distress, she shook her head. She cursed herself for not noticing how tired Henri was. “We can go right now. It’s not a problem.”

Flynn smiled, pleased there was no argument. But as soon as they escaped the throng of dancers Henri put on the brakes.

“I promised Maven we would sit by the water.” Henri told them. Maven waved a hand trying to object. “Sitting is a good thing. I promise I’ll be home in no time.”

Flynn sighed. “Tori and I will hang out for a little while longer, Henri. You give me a call when you’re ready to go.” Flynn squeezed Henri tightly as if he was a proud father sending his son to school for the first time.

“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.