Before her mouth even opens, my eyes flash to Amelia, ready for her to sass me and she does, right on cue. “Who took the photo, Hayls?” she asks, knowing full well it was Reed, trying to get me to spill.
“Another guest,” I lie.
“Mm-hmm. That was lucky. Now show me.”
“Jesus. You’re keen.” With a giggle, I jokingly shake my head until her entire demeanor changes.
“I’m still disappointed I couldn’t be there. I hate letting you down.”
“Me too,” Paige adds with a bummed expression. “I’m sorry you had to go alone.” A layer of guilt settles around my middle but I smile through it. I should tell Paige about Reed. After all, she told me about Easton before anyone else. But now is not the time.
Lainey wanders over and I move on, grabbing my phone.
“I don’t want any of you to feel bad. I’m all good, and you havelives.Importantlives.”
“You’re—”
“I know, I’m important too. Trust me. I don’t feel neglected. I’m good. I promise.”
“Okay. Good.” Amelia smiles but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes until the moment I show them my new favorite dress.
“Holy shit.” Paige is the first to speak while Amelia gasps.
“It’s stunning, Hayley,” Lainey smiles, taking my phone from Amelia.
“Right?”
“So right.” Paige stares in awe. “You look delicious. Are you taking a date?”
“Nope.” I pop thepas all eyes flash my way.
“Why the hell not?” Paige’s jaw drops, making me smile. “We need to find you a date.”
“Or…” I hesitate for dramatic effect. “I could find one on the night?”
Paige laughs as the girls nod. “I have no doubt about that. Guys will go wild with you in this dress. And it’s giving me Riley vibes.”
My eyes widen as that realization hits me. “I hadn’t even thought of that.” Though I do know about the guys going wild. I still have Reed’srestrainedhunger at the forefront of my mindfrom when he saw me in the dress. “It just gets better and better.”
As the girls run through possible scenarios for my night, Paige pulls me aside, her expression serious. “Sorry to interrupt the gushing, but I wanted to run something past you.”
“Of course. Shoot.”
“I was brainstorming ideas for the next Storm charity event, needing to get my mind off everything else going on in my life, andyoupopped into mind.”
“Me?” My brows rise high on my forehead as I grin.
“Yes,” Paige giggles. “Keeley was telling me about the Thanksgiving party last year and mentioned that you were playing football with the guys.”
“God, that was fun,” I reminisce, my eyes glazing over as the memories come rushing back to me, until Paige continues, cutting them off.
“What do you think about the team hosting an Aussie Rules charity game during the offseason?”
“For real?”
“Yes, for real.” Her head drops back and she laughs while my mind goes wild with possibilities.
“I love that. I actually know a guy that could show them the ropes. He used to play in Australia but moved here when his son was accepted into an Ivy League college as a kicker.”
