HE STOOD IN front of the mirror in the bathroom, adjusting the length of his tie and fastening the cufflinks on his tux, all while humming to himself. He felt her gaze on him and he turned to see her standing in the door. His breath hitched.
She was dressed in dark pink. The bustier was a lighter shade with sequins, fitted tightly into a V at her hips before slightly flaring out. The sequins fell like stars from her hips before fading away. The long slit up the side showed off her toned legs and her arms were bare, just as he liked them.
“Thoughts?” she asked with raised eyebrows.
“I have a few,” he sighed as he leaned against the counter.
She licked her lips and smiled at him. “Well?”
“Could you turn around for me? I need to get a better look.”
“Seriously?” she asked as her shoulders slumped.
Jake made a circle with his fingers and she twirled around for him, stopping with her hands on her hips.
“First,” he said as his hand grazed the stubble on his face, “I think the color suits you. It reminds me of the blush in your cheeks when you’re embarrassed.”
Madi rolled her eyes.
He took a step forward. “Second, you take my breath away.”
“Better,” she said appreciatively.
“And finally, I can’t think of a better way to spend New Year’s Eve than with you on my arm.”
She grinned, stepping into the bathroom and adjusting his tie. “You look hot, as usual,” she laughed. “The last time you were in a tux, I wanted to fall to my knees and beg you to stay home with me.”
Jake’s eyebrows shot up. “Fall to your knees?”
Madi playfully nudged him. “Whatever happened to Christine Paul? Did you talk to her again after your date that night when you were torturing me?”
Jake rolled his eyes. “Who? The name isn’t even vaguely familiar.”
“Um hmm…”
“I only have eyes for you, babe.”
“I know,” she said as she turned and walked confidently into the hall.
Jake watched her stride away and rubbed his hands together, taking a deep breath. He leaned forward on the sink, resting on his hands with his head bowed. He glanced up at his reflection. “You can do this,” he said to himself in the mirror.
“Jake?” Madi questioned from the kitchen.
His fingers sifted through his hair once more before he turned out the light and met her by the door.
She bit her lip as he approached her. “Are you really all mine tonight?” she asked.
“All yours.”
“And we’re dancing?”
“All night,” he responded.
“And you’ll kiss me at midnight?”
“You won’t have to ask.”
She giggled and his heart thumped in his chest. His phone rang and she sighed. “It’ll only be a sec, I promise.”
