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I’ve pulled out all the stops tonight, and I hope like hell she enjoys it.
9
Sasha
“Promise you’re not mad about Ryder?” My gaze flickers to Brooke’s reflection in the mirror as I apply the finishing touches to my makeup. Normally, I don’t wear much but...
I want Easton to see me in a different light. I’ve added eye shadow, mascara, and a swipe of lipstick. Instead of wearing my hair in its usual ponytail, which is easier with soccer practice, I’ve left it to flow long and loose around my shoulders.
“Are you kidding?” She glances up from where she’s lounging on my bed while painting her toenails with a metallic turquoise polish. “You might not realize this, but getting you together with Easton was the end goal all along.”
My brows pinch together as I swing around to face her. “I’m sorry?”
With a careless shrug, she concentrates on lacquering her pinkie toe. “Yeah, I don’t care how it happened, I’m just glad it finally did.”
My mouth tumbles open. “But what about Ryder? I feel bad about how everything went down with him.”
“Pfft. My cousin is just fine. I have my doubts that he’s ready to settle down anyway.” She shoots me a frown. “He enjoys the puck bunnies way too much to get into a relationship anytime soon.”
This is...unbelievable.
I cock a hip before planting my fist on it. “What would have happened if I’d actually fallen for him?”
Brooke tilts her head and gives me a considering look. “Was there ever a remote possibility of that occurring? Like, I’m talking about a snowball’s chance in hell kind of possibility.”
Nope.
“That’s not the point,” I insist.
“Sure, it is. Plus, I’d never encourage you to get involved with a player. And Ryder is definitely a player. Just like Andrew.” For a moment, her expression darkens and anger ignites in her eyes.
Even though Brooke is over her ex, she’s been a little gun shy about getting involved with anyone else. I can’t blame her for that. Andrew really screwed her over and the entire university knew about it, which only adds more salt to the wound. It’s going to take time and the right guy to come along for her to even consider cracking open her heart again.
In the blink of an eye, she banishes the thunder clouds gathering on her pretty face. “You two just needed a push in the right direction, and I was all too happy to provide that nudge.” She grins. “You’re welcome.”
The fears circling around in the back of my head escape before I can stop them. “What if it doesn’t work out? What if we’re better off as friends? What if we lack chemistry?” Even as I blurt out the last question, I know that won’t be the case. The attraction between us—well, at least on my part—has been off the charts.
She rolls her eyes. “You worry too much, Sash. You’ve loved Easton for as long as you can remember.”
When I open my mouth to protest, she cuts me off. “Don’t bother denying it. I’ve watched you moon over the guy for years. It was painful.”
“There hasn’t been any mooning,” I grumble, lying through my teeth.
“Yes, there was. No matter what, this needed to happen.”
I press my lips together, unsure how to respond. Thankfully, the conversation is cut short when my phone chimes with an incoming message. My belly drops to the bottom of my toes, knowing that it can be none other than Easton. He’s here and we’re heading out for our first official date.
There’s a part of me that can’t believe this is actually happening. That he finally sees me in the same light I’ve always seen him.
Brooke glances up when I remain frozen in place. “Get going, girl!”
Her voice spurs me into action, and I swipe my black purse off the dresser before beelining for the door.
As I cross over the threshold into the hallway, she calls out my name. “Sash?” I swing back around. “Take a jacket and hat and have an amazing time with the guy of your dreams.”
A small smile curls the edges of my lips as I suck in a deep breath before releasing it back into the atmosphere. “Thanks.”
With a pounding heart, I race out of the apartment and down the stairwell to the lobby before pushing out into the darkness. I pause on the walkway before spotting Easton’s truck idling in a parking space.
My hand flutters to my belly in an attempt to settle the butterflies that have winged their way to life. Even though I quickly sift through all of my memories, I know there’s never been a time that I’ve been this nervous around him.
Whether I want it to or not, everything feels different now.
Our gazes meet across the lot and a sizzle of awareness scuttles down my spine as he lifts a hand to wave.
