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I stare in the mirror, smoothing my hands down my dress. It’s been so long since I’ve had nerves like the one floating around in my belly that my nerves have nerves. I fiddle with my hair, tightening the clip I’ve used to pull it back and to the side, and then step into my shoes before I do one final glance over.
A whistle comes from the doorway, and I want to chuck something at Nora, but she’s holding Ax.
“Hot mama. Sean will have to pick his jaw up off the porch floor.”
I roll my eyes. “Why am I nervous?” I intend it to be rhetorical, but I know Nora will answer.
“Maybe because this is like a date with a very, very handsome man who’ll be here any second.”
“This isn’t a date,” I snap, but she’s right. It does feel a little bit like a date, even though it’s strictly professional.
“Maybe it should be.” Nora raises and lowers one shoulder quickly, knowing better than to stick around for a retort.
I close my eyes, letting the swirling in my stomach do its thing. I can’t even think about this being a date since I’m not sure how I’d feel about that. For one, I wouldn’t be going out with Sean.Wait, would I?The things Gem said run through my brain like they’re sprinting nowhere fast.
I let out a breath slowly. I can’t think about a possible, likely never-happening date with Sean.
I hear Snipe bark, then Nora talking, and I know he’s here. I want to stay in my room and hide, but that’s who I’m trying not to be, so I pull up my brave girl panties and head out into the main room.
My heels click down the hall, and I see the instant Sean sees me. Just like Gem said, his ice-blue eyes start at the tips of my four-inch black and white heels until they gradually meet mine. There’s a warmth that washes over me that is as uncomfortable as it is rejuvenating.
What in the hell is wrong with me?I should not be noticing Sean’s lingering eyes. I don’t care about his eyes or that they evidently like what they see.
“Hey.” I squeak, apparently sixteen again, and the captain of the football team is picking me up. I never had that experience, but I imagine this is what it’s like. I know before we step out the door, Nora’s big mouth will make up for my lack of high school awkwardness.
“Hey.” He smirks like my nerves are visible. That one dimple pops in to taunt me. He doesn’t take his eyes off me, making it very hard not to blush, but I will not blush at Sean’s long look. “You look…beautiful.” His eyes roam over my face. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I move to Nora, who’s not even pretending to be anything but amused by this whole thing, and kiss Ax’s chubby cheek. “Make sure he gets a bottle in an hour and then turn on his music. He should settle down quickly. He didn’t have much of an afternoon nap.”
“I got it. You two have a good time. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be here drinking our bottles and talking to Gem on Facetime.” She holds up her root beer.
“You two seriously need to get a life.” I grab my handbag off the counter and slip my phone inside.
“I’m thrilled to live vicariously through your salacious affairs.”
I turn back to look at her. “Don’t keep him up late snuggling.”
“What mama doesn’t know won’t hurt her, will it, big guy?” she whispers to Ax. “Go stir up the rag mags so they can concoct some other fake news to entertain me and the rest of the world. Then we can give those label execs the big bird.”
I meet Sean at the door, ignoring his frown. “Alright, let’s do this.”
Outside, he opens the passenger door of his truck for me, and I climb in, noticing his clean, crisp, manly scent fills the space. I miss that masculine smell, so I take a big whiff before he climbs in.
Ugh!Gem and Nora have put all this stuff in my head about Sean and dating. Now, I just inhaled his scent like I’m some kind of hormonally crazed woman.
He opens the door and climbs in while I want to open mine and throw myself out. I need to find the nearest tree and ram my head into it until all these bogus ideas about dating Sean spill out. I don’t need to be dating anyone or thinking about dating at all.
I’m just going to a party with Sean to promote our event. That is all this is, and those two ladies who’ve filled my head with nonsense will suffer from lack of details tomorrow when I DON’T DIVULGE ANY.
I huff like it’s decided a little too loudly, and Sean stops the truck at the end of the driveway. “Everything alright over there?”
“Uh. Yeah.” I look at him in his crisp button-down shirt and charcoal gray pants. His clothes are tailored to fit him perfectly, and he looks like he belongs on the cover of a fashion magazine.His top button is undone, but the rest fits snugly, showing off his muscular build that I’m done paying any attention to now.
“Are you nervous?” His exotic blue eyes look slightly amused. “Just breathe, Andie.” His voice is soft but demanding. He looks so calm and in control. I hate him.
“I am breathing.” I try not to glare at his astute observation, but my weak facial muscles betray me.Damn feminine traitors.
“All these people can think whatever they want about what we’re doing behind closed doors, but you and I know exactly what’s up.”
