A girl can dream, right? But the question remains—should I?
Before I left my office today, I stopped in at Liam’s shop to grab some treats for Bandit. Graham was there, too. I almost mentioned my date with Nick, but decided I didn’t need the drama right now. I’m feeling insecure enough as it is without my brothers looking at me like I’d sprouted ten more heads. Besides, it’s not really a date. I’m just helping Nick through a challenging evening. We all need a friend in situations like this.
I close my eyes so Madi can apply what she calls a dusting of eye shadow, then she does mascara and uses some other things I had no idea existed. Then she’s tugging on my curls, which I’ve never had much luck taming. I’ve gotten comfortable with my messy look and accepted that’s just who I am. But right now, it doesn’t seem like enough for Nick.
I’m overthinking tonight, which will likely end up as two friends going to some swanky party together.
But for some reason, this feels like a big step. And that’s what scares me. What if it winds up being a turning point for Nick and me? The beginning of something more?
Can I trust him?
Finding out I was just one of many in Bryan’s ‘harem’ put a serious dent in my confidence, but I recovered. Mostly. I don’t know if I could go through that with Nick and come out wholeon the other side. Spending time with him has stirred up those old feelings I had when I was eighteen and added a bunch more.
And I mean a lot more…as in, this is no longer just a silly crush on my brother’s best friend. It runs way deeper.
Stronger.
What I felt for Nick when I was younger was sweet and naïve. What I’m feeling now is about as far from that as the sun is from Earth. But I’m still getting sunburned.
Madi finishes the last touches as the doorbell rings.
I jump off the stool. “Can you answer that for me? I need to get my shoes.” I dash toward my bedroom.
“And put on the earrings I left on the counter,” she yells after me.
While I slip on strappy beige heels and don the cute earrings Madi found in the mess filling my jewelry box, Nick’s deep voice and Madi’s spunky greeting filter in.
With one last breath of courage, I step out of my room in clear view of Nick.
His smile broadens while his gaze drops to my feet and then travels upward in a slow appraisal. “Wow, you look incredible.”
“Doesn’t she?” Madi beams a smile back and forth between us, then grabs her bag from the couch. “I better get going. You two have a great time.”
She dashes out so fast I don’t have a chance to thank her, but I have a feeling she did that on purpose, so Nick and I could have a moment alone.
Not sure that’s a great idea, though. He’s wearing a perfectly fitted dark blue suit that complements his eyes and accentuates his physique.
“Nice suit. Very swaggy.”
He holds his hands out to his sides. “Thanks. Glad you approve.”
I reach for the navy and turquoise paisley pashmina Madi loaned me, but Nick beats me to it. His fingers brush my collarbone as he settles the soft fabric over my shoulders.
“I like your hair up like that.” His voice rumbles from behind me, sending a shiver down my back.
I touch the hair fork—that’s what I’m going to call it—that Madi wedged into my updo. “Thanks. Madi’s a whiz at hair and make-up, thank goodness.”
He gently pivots me around to face him. “You’re nervous.”
My natural instinct is to roll my mouth in, but I stop myself, or I’ll mess up Madi’s magic on my lips. “I just want to make a good impression on your ogres. I mean, your parents.”
Nick laughs. Nothing like a little humor to break the tension. “They’re going to love you.”
I grin. “Just as long as they don’t eat me.”
He’s still chuckling as we walk to his…car? And a very nice one at that. “What happened to your truck?”
“My parents don’t care for it.”
