Page 90 of Worth the Shot

“Best friend?” she answers, and the smirk that spreads across her face is enough to kill a man in one shot.

I look away, let out a half laugh and try to hide the smile on my face. “Yes, Laney. Best friend.”

“So, I guess we have a gala to get ready for,” she says, hopping onto her feet.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Delaney

Showing up to Brennan’s was a choice that felt easy to me. Regardless of everything that’s happened this last week—and by everything, I mean Matt—I still want Brennan to know that what we have means something to me. And seeing the look of relief and pure joy on his face when he saw me? I know I made the right decision.

An hour and a half later, Wes is waiting in the parking lot. I smooth my hands down my dark red, floor-length gown. My hair is down, big curls brushed out until they look like a soft, bouncy blowout with one side pinned back behind my ear.

Brennan steps out of his room and I forget how to breathe.

I can tell he took the time to pick out a suit that would complement my dress perfectly, and I can’t say I’m not impressed. Right down to the burgundy tie that matches my dress perfectly. His hair is freshly buzzed on the sides, fading into a few inches of dark, tousled perfection on top that’s styled just enough to look effortless. My instincts scream at me to run my fingers through it, but I restrain myself. Barely.

“Wow.” He exhales, eyes dragging over me slowly, like he’s memorizing every inch. “I don’t remember the slit being that high.” His voice is thick with what almost sounds like desire mixed with nerves, and my body responds instantly in the most traitorous and needy way. He moves his hand toward my face but then stops and something inside me dies a little. I nod, letting him know it’s okay, and his fingers gently brush a piece of my hair behind my ear. I let out a whimpering breath before I can stop myself. It is that easy when Brennan Hale touches you.

“You ready?” he asks, pulling his hand away far too soon, leaving my skin cold where his fingers were. “Oh, um, yes. Yeah. I’m ready.” I manage, words barely cooperating. He notices and winks, shoving his hands in his pockets as he smirks. I roll my eyes and bite back a smile. Jerk.

Outside, Wes is already parked at the curb. Brennan opens the passenger door for me and I slide in, smoothing my dress. Wes looks between us, confusion melting into something dangerously close to excitement. By the time Brennan climbs into the back seat and shuts the door, Wes can’t hold it in anymore.

“Well, well, well,” he says, grinning. “Looks like Mom and Dad finally figured their shit out.” He pulls away from the curb, heading toward the arena.

When we arrive, Brennan hops out and moves to open my door, but Wes beats him to it, holding out his hand instead.

“For what it’s worth, I’m really happy for you guys. Whatever this is. You deserve the good guy.”

I take his hand, face painted with an expression that is equally confused and touched. “Do you need medical attention?” I joke, taken back by his lack of a flick in the side of the head and his usual shoulder nudge. “But…thanks, Wes.” I smile at Brennan and then him. He smiles back, the boyish grin that not many get to see. But I do, and sometimes I wish he didn’t put on the bad boy front. I know somewhere inside him there’s a sweet, charming guy waiting to surface. I wonder what kind of broken he is that makes burying that so easy. I shake off the thought as Brennan reaches for me like it's instinct. I place my hands in his, stepping away from the car, and immediately realize he's frozen, just…staring. I snap my fingers lightly in front of his face. “Earth to Brennan. What are you looking at?”

He smiles, soft and stunned. “Just trying to figure out how the most beautiful woman in the world is my date tonight.”

I lace my fingers through his, squeezing gently until he squeezes back. It’s barely noticeable to anyone else, but it feels like a language only spoken between us. A silent reassurance. A promise passed back and forth without needing words. We both know what tonight brings, and I can feel the nervous energy radiating off him. Because woven into that crowd is someone who carries a little more weight than the rest. A chapter that was never closed, never got the ending it promised. A broken commitment that lingered somewhere deep inside of me instead of shattering all at once.

I want to confidently say that it doesn’t change a thing for me. I want to believe that standing here with Brennan’s hand warm and solid in mine, this calm certainty and absence of fear is exactly what love is supposed to feel like. But, unfortunately for us all, I don’t know how my heart will react to seeing Matt tonight.

Inside, the arena looks unfamiliar. The ice is gone, replaced with polished wood flooring. The harsh overhead lights are dimmed and replaced by strings of warm, white lights swooping across the glass like constellations. High-top tables are spread across the space, filled by guests dressed in gowns and suits that probably cost more than half my rent. Laughter hums through the room. Music swells low and steady, the dance floor already alive with couples swaying and people lingering with drinks in hand. Some of the guys are clustered together with their dates, others making small talk with donors and sponsors. Brennan barely has time to breathe before he’s spotted by a man who looks like he eats his cereal out of a diamond bowl. I let Brennan do the talking, because I know he’s good at it, and I slip away to find Emma. Mom has Luca tonight, and rumor has it Rick is coming too, which we’re both equally shocked and thrilled by. She’s been mentioning him more and more lately, most recently some vague “errand” they ran together. It was a date, but we’re letting her stay delusional until she’s ready to admit it.

I spot Emma just as she’s stealing a mini crab cake off a silver platter. She shoves it into her mouth the second she sees me so her hands are free to pull me into a hug. “Oh, Laney, you look—” Her voice cracks. Of course it does. She blinks rapidly, tears threatening but not falling. Classic Emma.

“Coming from the biggest MILF I know,” I tease, poking gently at her cleavage, something wildly out of character for her. She gasps and immediately adjusts her dress, scandalized, and I laugh. I hand her a glass of champagne and we clink them together.

“I didn’t really see myself back at one of these,” I admit. Not bitter, just honest.

“Have you seen him yet?” she asks, eyes flicking over my face, searching for any sign of distress.

I shake my head. “No.” Then, like it’s breaking news, I blurt, “Wes is here alone.”

“WHAT?!” she screeches, shoving me like I’ve been hoarding classified information. Before I can say anything else, Brennan appears at my side.

“Hey, Em,” he says, pulling her into a hug. I remember when I used to crave those hugs, before I was ever on the receiving end of them.

I still crave them.

I just get them whenever I want now. Longer, warmer and so much better.

“Can I steal your sister for a second?” he asks, already reaching for my hand.