I lift my hand and place it on her cheek.
“I want you here. It’ll be good for me just as much as it will be for you,” I say. “I can’t take care of this place all on my own.”
Not entirely true, but I’ll say whatever I need to convince her. I know she needs to get out of that place, and why shouldn’t she move here?
“I’ll let you know soon.”
I nod, stepping away and looking back to the mirror to swipe away mascara from under my eye.
I glance at the clock. “Shit. I need to get dressed. He’s going to be here any minute.”
My phone pings, and I see Lanie’s name lighting up the screen.
Lanie
Is Nina there?
Me
Yessss…why?
Lanie
I need her tonight.
Me
Care to explain?
Lanie
Ugh. I will in 5…
She doesn’t say anything else and neither do I, because I’m running out of time. I pull my dress from the closet. It’s a black, bodycon wrap dress that hits just below mid-thigh and shows just enoughcleavage to be sexy, but not too revealing. It complements my figure perfectly and looks amazing with the red-soled shoes I spent far too much on.
When I’m dressed, I take a look in the mirror, twisting to see the sequins sparkling under the light.
“Wow, Ally. You look fantastic.”
“I have you to thank for that,” I say, pulling my best friend into a hug. “Thank you, Nina.”
The doorbell rings and Nina squeals. “He’s here.”
I take a deep breath and grab my overnight bag from beside my bed, making my way downstairs, not bothering to put on my shoes yet. Not until I’m down the stairs and safe from falling to my death.
I pull open the door, and Nick’s on the other side under the blinking porch light that clearly needs to be fixed.
My breath hitches at the sight of him in his black tux, hair slicked back, making him look like a movie star. He’s absolutely gorgeous.
“You…” His words trail off, and a goofy grin spreads across his face. He leans in. “You are breathtaking.”
My toes curl, and my entire body heats.
He’s about to say something when Lanie comes racing up the stairs, practically pushing him out of the way. “Sorry, Nick,” she says over her shoulder. “Where’s Nina?”
I turn to point toward the kitchen, then turn back to Nick. “I’m sorry. She has zero manners.”
He chuckles. “I’ve known Lanie Anderson long enough to know that when she’s on a mission, you get out of her way.”
