“Yeah, I did. A few times before he left for Portland,” Eliza said casually. A little too casually, if you asked me. She got off the bed and strolled out of the room before I had the chance to continue pressing her. “I’m going to prepare three tequila shots while you two finish getting ready,” she said over her shoulder.
With a groan, I lay down on the bed. “I have nothing to wear. Jules, will you pick out my outfit?” She was the fashionista of the group andalwayshad on a killer outfit. Tonight, she was wearing a glittery silver skirt with a long-sleeved black mesh top over a lacy bralette. Her outfit was paired with her signature strappy heels.
“Gladly!” Within seconds, Jules was at my closet, her wavy brunette curls bouncing as she flipped through my clothes. “I’m thinking…sexy chic. We want Gabe to drop dead when he sees you.”
I leaned up on my elbows, eyes wide. “Don’t kill the guy!”
She grinned at me over her shoulder. “No promises.”
It didn’t take long for Jules to work her magic. Within five minutes, she had a full outfit prepared for me—which included items I didn’t even realize I owned.
I was wearing a pair of medium-wash jeans that hugged my body paired with a black long-sleeve top that had an open back. Jules also picked out gold hoops and a small gold purse for me. My hair was pulled in a loose, low bun with pieces framing my face. My makeup was done already—mascara, liner, concealer, blush, and a glossy pink lip.
I took in my completed outfit in the full-body mirror in my room, a smile spreading on my lips.
Jules came up behind me, hugging my shoulders. “You look perfect!”
I felt beautiful and confident—and I couldn’t wait for tonight.
My stomach started doing somersaults as soon as we got to Lake Ridge.
Well, that was a lie. It started doing somersaults as soon as I got a text from Gabe saying he was at Lake Ridge and had found Cooper and Wes. It warmed my heart that they had another opportunity to hang out, even if it was because they were waiting for us.
We walked from my apartment to Lake Ridge, our boots immediately stickingever so slightlyto the bar floor. “Wow,” I said in awe. While Lake Ridge was typically the spot to be on New Year’s Eve, Wes didn’t care much for decorations. This yearwas different. “How much of this is your doing?” I asked Jules with a grin.
She laughed. “Most of it, but I had help from Wes, Louise, and Eliza to make it all come together. Thought it would be fun to make things feel a little different as we ring in a new year. Only thing Wes said was no glitter, which is fair.”
Jules had an eye for design, and the decorations were no exception. She kept the traditional feel of Lake Ridge that Wes and others loved but elevated it for the occasion. There were clusters of gold, white, and black balloons stuck to the walls, as well as streamers and signs ringing in the new year. There was also an area in the corner to take photos, in addition to the typical dance floor and bar.
I couldn’t wait to get out on the dance floor with my girls.
We shrugged our coats off, and Eliza took them to the back to safely stash them. It was the best of both worlds—we didn’t have to be cold on the walk over and were able to show off our outfits.
“I found the guys!” Jules waved.
My brother was already looking at her, as if he’d spotted her the second she walked in and was waiting for her to notice. The corner of his lips tipped up in a smile.
I scanned the group and spotted Gabe, and…he was already looking at me.
But that wasn’t the same as Wes and Jules. Right? I pushed those thoughts away for now as Jules and I approached the guys. She went straight to Wes, and I greeted Cooper before turning my attention to Gabe. “Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Hi.” His greeting was simple, but the way his eyes bore into me was anything but. Heat coursed through my body at the way his golden-brown eyes darkened. He took in every inch of me, and somehow, I felt more vulnerable in this moment than I did a few days ago when he gave me two orgasms on my couch.
Even though I liked my outfit and felt pretty in it, I wanted Gabe to think the same. I didn’t need his approval or praise—I knew that—but that didn’t mean I didn’twantit.
“Lily, you look…” He swallowed. “Absolutely perfect.” He took a step closer, setting a hand on the curve of my waist right above the top of my jeans. His fingertips grazed my bare skin, which was how he found out the top I was wearing dipped low and showed off my back. His hand moved, splaying along my lower back, his hot touch searing into my skin. “I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off of you tonight, Sunshine,” he rasped, voice low, only for me to hear.
Feeling bold, I responded, “Luckily, you don’t have to.”
The corner of Gabe’s lips tipped up into a smirk.
“Alright, alright,” Cooper interrupted. “I know I’m fifth-wheeling, but you all will have plenty of time for your couple shit later. For now, let’s get the night started.”
“What’d I miss?” Eliza asked as she approached.
“Coop groaning about how he’s a fifth-wheel,” Wes said with a smirk. “As if one of the many single women throwing themselves at him from town—or surrounding towns, for that matter—weren’t good enough. Do you know how many inquirers I had to fend off this week—in person and over the phone—about where you’d be on New Year’s Eve and if you had a date? I lost count after twenty.”
“Shit,” Cooper said with a chuckle as he ran a hand through his messy, dark-blond hair. “Didn’t realize I was such a wanted man.” A boyish grin was plastered on his face.
