The Prince Charming Hoax by Elyse Grant

and the right pose. “ That girl has an uncanny sense of timing when it comes to face-time in front of a camera, ” she said.
    Jonathan nodded. “ Ali is definitely the prettiest girl here. ” He stepped back and gave Leah an appreciative once-over, taking in her soft curves emphasized by her tight black jeans and lace camisole under a crimson silk bolero. He put his arm around her. “ And you are, without a doubt, the sexiest mom. ”
    It was the first time in many days that Leah felt anyone even noticed her, and her gloom instantly lifted. She smiled at him. “ Thanks, Jonathan. I ’ m really glad you came here with me. ”
    Leah ’ s improved outlook was short-lived and her smile vanished when she looked across the pool. Richard had just shown up with Marsha. He was making a big deal of getting Ali to pose for his new video camera. Leah could pick out his voice over the buzz of the crowd. “ These will be up on YouTube and Facebook before you get to the prom, ” Richard said as he and Ali reviewed the takes on the camera ’ s screen. “ Look, I don ’ t even have to connect to a computer. I can upload right from the camera. ”
    Ali called several of her friends over to watch as he demonstrated.
    “ Look who ’ s here, ” Leah said to Jonathan, directing him with her eyes. “ The ‘ Father of the Year ’ . ”
    Jonathan put his arm around her. “ Looks more like the ‘ Ass of the Year ’ to me, Leah. ”
    “ You ’ re right. But Ali looks happy that he ’ s here, so I ’ ll smile and keep my venomous thoughts to myself. ”
    Justin had come to the party in his tuxedo and brought a corsage for Ali. They were posing for Richard.
    Leah turned to Jonathan. “ At least she won ’ t have to go through life with a senior prom picture that doesn ’ t include a date! You know, I think she ’ s just as happy to go alone. She told me now she could dance and hang out with everyone and not be tied to one guy all night. I ’ m really proud of her. I probably would have stayed home my prom night rather than go alone when I was her age. ”
    Ali came over and kissed them good-bye. She motioned toward the kids who were all piling into the limousines. “ Justin ’ s going to walk me to the door of the gym. That ’ s as far as they ’ ll let him go. ”
    “ How are you going to get home, Ali? ”
    “ Don ’ t worry. We have the limo for the whole night. We ’ re all staying at Dana ’ s afterward. I ’ ll see you tomorrow. ”
    “ Have a wonderful time, sweetie. I love you. ”
    “ Love you, too, Mom. Bye, Jonathan. Thanks for coming. ” Ali threw them both kisses and disappeared into a limo.
    “ I ’ ll go get us some drinks, Leah, ” Jonathan said, pointing to the bar set up on the patio. “ And it looks like they ’ re putting out some food for the parents. Do you want to have something to eat? ”
    “ No, let ’ s get out of here, Jonathan, before Richard and Marsha make their way to this side of the pool. Besides, I ’ m ready for that good bottle of wine you promised me. ”
    “ I like that even better. ” He took her hand and they navigated their way out. Leah was grateful that Jonathan had the sense to park across the street, away from the jumble of luxury cars, and they were able to make their escape quickly.
    The ride to Jonathan ’ s downtown studio loft was only about fifteen minutes, but it seemed longer to Leah, who felt every bump and depression in the road in his Jeep Wrangler. “ I don ’ t know why you wouldn ’ t drive my car, Jonathan. We could have been much more comfortable, you know. ”
    “ Maybe you would be, but not me. The Beemer may have class, but it doesn ’ t have character. We ’ re here now, anyway. And the wine ’ s chilling, so let ’ s go in and indulge. ”
    Leah walked around his studio while Jonathan went into the kitchen to get the wine and food he had prepared. She loved how he had converted an old warehouse to an artist ’ s studio and